The Portland daily press., 1891-04-14
THE CONGREGATIONAL CLUB.
what Our Churches Need TO Increase
Their Efficiency.

ing last evening. The session was held in
the hall Of Bosworth Post. which now bids
fair to be the permanent meeting place Of the
club. For a meeting of gentlemen only the
gathering last evening compared favorably
with tue best the club has ever held. The
success won by the caterers. Messrs. L. j.
Perkins & Son, was not impaired last eve
ming. as the supper Of last night was pro-
nounced first-class in every respect.
z. The Divine blessing was invoked by the
Rev. l.. Fl. aallock of Waterville. At the
business session Rev. +. T. Bayley Of Port
land. and Rev. George NJ. Howe OF Lewis
ton, were reinstated in membership. At the
opening Of the intellectual programme OF the
evening, President Wilson remarked that the
club was at this time quite by itself, by its
own arrangement, a family meeting wherein
all could express themselves with unusual
freedom. The ministers could feel liberty,
and the laymen could fully enjoy the unusual
privilege Of talking back without let or him
drance.
The club, as committee of the whole, was
vited to consider "What our churches most
need to increase their spiritual efficiency and
power"
The question as seen from the pulpit was
answered by Rev. Dwight NJ. Pratt of VIII
liston church. He felt himself happy In ad-
dressing the club at this time, for he was
confident that our churches need especially
the religious effort Of strong. mature men.
This element Is particularly needed just
now. The church will show increase of
power In proportion as the home becomes
| uuh 70 ho
family altar Is adequately honored; when
the Christian Sabbath is allowed its place,
and is not ljstlessly kept or observed with
the divided allegiance of too many professed
Christians; when the membership OF our
churches shall show willing vigor In prac-
tical measures for Christian progress.
The grand element. that which is to make
religious history success, Is a eonsecrated
l icularly the sanctlfed power Of
mature laity. IL the older men come to
church saturated with the Sunday newspa-
per. the younger men will not fail faithfully
to follow their fathers aud elders.
III the leading business laymen
live as Christians only at a dying rate 1t Is
certain the same discouraging type of life will
appear In the younger members. When our
church memberf feel 1t to be their paramount
Uuby. Idukluk Ill Juliet OOllkdblOuS, TO make
Christian progress daily and yearly GER
tainty and success, then will spiritual success
be as marked In the churches as Is material
success in secular spheres.
The view Of the question Of the evening as
taken from the pew, was presented by the
vice president Of the club, DIR. Israel T. Dana.
DR.. Dana declared himself to be by education
and personal conviction inclined to place a
high estimate upon the ministerial profess
sion, and this feeling would be the back
ground of his remarks.
He thought the minister should be a gOdly
man; a man Of such ability and acquisitions
as should fit him to be leader; true, wise
pastor; and moreover, and chiefly, perhaps,
he should be a preacher.
The preacher should above all aim at a
simple proclamation of the gospel. Not an
infantile, childish, weak or superficial style
OF sermoniZlng, but clear, direct, manly
and godly presentation OF strong, unadulter-
ated gospel truth. and a lovingly bold appn
cation Of gospel primo PIES.
The former president Of the club, Rev. l..
FL. Hallock. said the pews had been telling
how things should be said to increase
church efficiency, and this was well. He
should come after the speaking And for
this right and strenuous activity we need
more men who are verltable embodiment
of the Christian idea.
Rev. Mr.. Bayley emphasized the import
ance OF a revival In clergy and laity OF the
feeling Of personal obligation. When zeal
burns in the hearts Of individual members
there will be power in the church. the as
ISOLATED membership.
A disposition to make the most Of applied
Christianity was thought to be a special
need by Rev. Mr. Pierce, returned mission
ary from Turkey. He said truly devoted
laymen are most powerful advocates OF the
truth, and such preachers are sure Of hear
Ing:
Mr.. French of Portland thought the
preacher should come before his people with
message, not with mere pretty talk. Fresh,
earnest, live words should be heard when
ever the minister opens his mouth to speak,
and MI. Mathews In forcible three minute
speech called for defniteness Of purpose, IL
church work Is to tell.
Rev. Mr.. Wright insisted that we must
aim at truly gospel ends IN all our work IL
we address ourselves to the salvation of
churches, and we shall see them clothed
with power.
The united effort of all elements In the
membership seemed to Rev. s. j. Perkins a
prime need In the churches, and Rev. Dan
lei Greene Of Cumberland believed that
more complete reliance on the inspiring
power Of the Holy Ghost would enhance the
spiritual power Of the churches.
Mr.. Chase Of Portland believed II we were
more interested In one another we should
render our brethren more useful, as well as
more happy. Mr. Peters Of Ligonia said IL
there was lack in the home life.
sunday observance and practical plety
the lclergy should come forward with the
remedy for these needs, and Rev. Mr.. Pratt
said In !reply that II we could man with
energetic laymen all the feasible depart
ments OF Christian work, this problem Of in
creased efficiency would be well on Its way
to solution.
The whole discussion was vigorous,
pointed, intelligent as to church needs, With
an evident desire on the part OF pulpit and
pew to fnd the methods and means to meet
these needs.
1t was one of the most practical and use
ful as well as one Of the most interesting
sessions In the history Of the club; Inc
session closed with prayer and benediction
by Rev. DIR. Fem. ,,
The May meeting OF the el9o WIN pc tne
last Of the spring season, and this occasion
will be anticipated with great interest as the
elnb will then be addressed by DIR. George j.
Gordon of Boston.
Loan OF 2 Millions.
MONTREAL, April 13.-The talk In fnan-