The Portland daily press., 1890-03-11

quet, Thomas E. Thompson, A. F. Hill and
Captain James Balm were received into
membership, and several new names were
proposed. The committee on manual asked
for further time to prepare that important
publication. President Wilson's manage
ment of this business episode in the club
session is marked by not little of his char
acteristic wisdom and wit, and this quarter
hour is never dreaded nor dull.
Mr.. f. Davis, student in Bangor Theo-
logical Seminary was heard in favor of a
gymnasium for the benefit of the members
of that institution. Some steps have already
been taken toward the erection of suitable
building and the plea made before the club
last evening was for funds to complete the
structure and properly fit it up to give that
physical culture which is so profitable to
mix with the intellectual and spiritual train
ing of our theological students.
After happy introduction by President
Wilson. Dr. Alexander Mckenzie, the hon.
ored guest of the club, aud speaker of the
evening proceeded to address the large com.
pany saying. by the way. that he heartily
approved the move for gymnasium at Ban
gor.
DIR. Mckenzie introduced his subject, 1.-THE
Symmetry of Congregationalism," by de-
claring that he should express his views
with sincere and warm fraternal feeling
toward all other denominations of Chris
tians, and referred most applicably to his
own recent reception in New York Epis-
copalian pulpit.
A terse and mastery resume of Congrega-
&fAxx 81 h s1NN.
in hand, and the speaker claimed that this
system has gained steadily in its entire
course, and has never lost. 1t may have
slipped on the ice sometimes, it has not
fallen. This is the historic church, and we
may, without putting on airs about ii, claim
to be the church of the Christian system, the
church of the great shaping periods of his
tory.
We can afford to be modest about it, but
Congregationalism may claim that it affords
an arena for the development of manhood
which no other polity can match.
C0ngregatlonaism Is the union of thorough
individuality and free association. 1t is the
row boat OF 800 rowers where the race de-
independent members are under the sway of
unity of sentiment and cOnstancy there is no
crew like it. There is of course the difficulty
OF controlling the Independent membership
and churches, but this Is difficulty in COM
mon with all the embodied forms of liberty
in government and religion.
For. practical power, no other form of
church organization, as matter of fact, has
done more nobly than these freemen
gathered in free churches. Congregation
alism puts the individual upon his integrity
as does no other form of church polity. 1t
makes the man feel that the whole interest
OF the church depends on him, and that If he
proves false the whole church Is damaged
The union of free loving disciples, the man
in his integrity, the church in its majority,
strong in its e and Observation-Disclosures hips
this is the symmetry of Congregationalsm
For culture, for political and governmental
effectiveness for the great interests of truth
and spiritual religion indeed, this polity is
fully equipped and to the highest reaches in
these directions 1t is fully adequate.
Let C0ngregationalists look into their pol
tty and measure anew its eXcellences and
its strength. Let them be loyal and warmly
loyal to their several churches and to their
denomination. Congregationalism is what
tits and what it does deserves this loyalty.
The address was packed with thought and
though unwritten, was terse, logical and
consecutive. The keen, sharp statement and
fine sallies of wit, gave remarkable power
and brilliancy to an effort that was at
Onceimasterly in scope and of a fine catho-
licity, while full of the fire of fervent devo /.
ton to the poity which before our fathers,
and with our fathers, and now is reasonable
devout, Christian. 1t has been proved and
not found wanting, 1t will proved itself
equal to the emergencies of all the future of
he race.
The club listened with the closest atten-
tion and responded with hearty applause to
its statements and sentiments.
Following the remarkable address of the
evening, DR.. Hill of the First Parish, a
most welcome guest of the club. spoke with
great interest and force of the characteristic
elements involved in Congregationalism
which has shaped the town meeting and the
state and the republic. He emphasized the
warm free faith and Christian love which is
developed by this system and happily por-
trayed the type of Christian unity that binds
together all truth loving and faithful deyout
souls.
The thanks of the club for the address of
the evening were moved in appropriate and
most cordial terms by Rev. l.. II. Hallock,
and the session was closed by the benedc-
ton.
In the number in attendance, this was one
of the largest meetings the club has ever
held. In interest of programme it was an
ideal meeting.