The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-11
THE CONGREGATIONAL cLUs.
The First Reunion of the Year Held
Last Night.

The first session Of the club for the new
year is held in February. This meeting Is
one composed Of members only and while
such a meeting lacks the brillianey of the
ladies' evenings, these sessions are good
test Of the vitality Of the organization. Last
evening at the Preble House showed by the
large attendance the interest of the mem-
bers. The estimate Of the officers was ex-
ceeded by the number presen
After an interesting social hour the club
sat down to fine supper served in admirable
order. The divine blessing was invoked by
Rev. VIM. w. Carruthers Of Holyoke Mass,
guest Of the club.
AT the close Of the banquet President
Wilson promptly called to order, and in
witty and graceful remarks thanked the
club for the honor conferred on him in
placing him at the head Of the organization
as its president. Paying handsome tribute
to the important measures for the good Of
the club, which his predecessors had ini-
tiated aud carried forward. he asked his
brother members to cooperate in advancing
the club to still higher efficiency.
The club voted to appoint a subcommittee
OF three to prepare manual Of rules and
regulations to which the roll of members
shall be appended. The Secretary, Treas
urer and Mr.. c. A. Woodbury. were consti-
tuted the committee.
The business over, the president called up a
guest Of the club, well and favorably known
in Portland, Rev. S. II. Dennen, ID. d., Of
Massachusetts, who with brief but well
measured expressions declared his lively
m In ha for no
Observance of the Sabbath" He believed
tile day is decidedly better observed than
in previous years. The right and devout
attention to the day Is gaining. This is not
little due to Hon. Chauncey NJ. Depew
who has made new departure in railway
usages. which means much.
The discussion Of the subject was now
more formally opened under the question:
''Shall the Busy Man Have His Sunday"
The club listened now to thoughtful, clear
and earnest paper by Rev. J. G. Merrill, ID.
d., who had been invited by the committee
to present this important topic.
DIR. Merrill would have the observance Of
the Sabbath brought under rational rules,
and subject to high aud noble control.
The busy man should have his Sunday ior
the sake Of his health. The sanitary value
Of the Sabbath is consideration of no minor
Importance. The body puts in its loud de-
mand for the periodic rest OF the day, and
scientific authority endorses this call. The
reaction Of this bodily rest Is favorable to
best results in physical or mental labor. In
our newspapers, in our work, in our recrea-
tion we want to have one day different from
the others.
This seventh day rest is needed impera-
lively for virtues sake. The interests of
morality, the promotion of the highest ten
denotes Of mans nature, the culture of all
that ennobles humanity ARE intimately relat-
edto this observance which has been laid up
on men by divine command.
his Sunday for religions sake. This
great need Of the religious nature Is matured
and fed, especially by the Sabbath. which
all uses, to strengthen, develop and give ex-
ercise to the religious man. The Sabbath Is
needed for the body, for individual, social
and national mortality. but beyond these,
important as they are, is the supreme need
of the commanded Sabbath for religion, the
highest Of all human wants
The excellent paper Of DR.. Merrill was re-
ceiyed with lively demonstrations Of favor
by the club
The discussion was continued by Dr:Fenn.
who in pointed and well-timed remarks in
sisted that we need the Sabbath, especially
to stem the impetu0uS tide OF self-Seeking
which Is carrying men away into extremes
of self-indulgence and greedlness of gain.
needed upon these feverish times. Ii we
would have the Sabbath we must exalt and
insist upon the divine sanction of the day.
We must have before our minds not the llu-
man side alone Of the Sabbath question, but
also and especially we must defend the Sab
bath for its religious value.
After delightful musical selection by Mr..
Harry Harmon of WoOdfords, President
Wilson invited Rev. Mr.. Donnell of Bath to
favor the club with his views upon the sub
ject 20 hand. Mr. Donnell was confident
this matter Of Sabbath observance needed
wisdom. He believed the number of SER
vices on the Sabbath is often too great for
minister, people and the real advancement
Of religion.
DR.. Dana Of Portland thought it quite diff
ficult for the busy minister to get his Sunday,
/ for the busy woman when her six children
are all down with the measles, for the busy
physician when la grippe is abroad. He
would heartily endorse all that had been
said in favor Of the seventh day rest. The
Sabbath has been given for rest, and wor-
ship, and religious growth, and 1t ministers
to the highest good Of body, mind and spirit.
Mr. 9. A. Woodbury. would not have the
Puritan Sabbath back again, but he would
have every chance given TO the busy man to
have his Sunday. Mr. Woodbury. said there
was no more legislation needed in heaven or
on earth TO give the busy man his
day. All has been done thai will be done in
divine ARRANGEMENTS; all that needs to be
done, for this busy man. The Sabbath is for
the home. 1t is needed for all, for the clerk
as well as the merchant, and for the factory
operative as well as for the capitalist Let us
hold to this wholesome Sabbath, suited to
all, and always religious
MIR. Crosby Of Deering, spoke Of the Sun
day rest from the manward side. He thor
oughly believed the Sabbath was made for
man, not to be converted altogether into a
body, for mental culture, and spiritual uses,
| while, also, he thought some wider margin
might be given to recreatye purposes, in
| keeping with the character OF the day, or
| not out OF harmony with 1t.
| The club was much grat;fed by another
| song from Mr. Harmon, and after President
| Wilson had made the gratifying announce
| ment that DR.. Alexander Mckenzie OF Gam.
/ hridoo xvouId oddrass tho Climb Mt the n5XL