The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-12
1T WAS A LARGE MEETING.
Congregational Club Llstened.to Rev.
Or. oordon's Eloquent Words.
The Ministry as the Trustee of the
Gospel of Christ"

A fine evening, ladies' session and a
speaker of high repute combined in favor CT
the Congregational Club last evening, ard as
result the attendance, always good. was in
creased to an exceptionally large figure, rare
ly exceeded, 1t is said, in the history of the
club.
1t was an especially pleasant considera-
ton to those interested in the club that the
half year should thus come to fitting close
and the members feel that the credit of this
success Is due largely to the earnest and
wise efforts of President Wilson and the
other officers, together with the efficient ex-
ecutiye committee. At the close of the pleas
ant social hour In the upper rooms the club
adjourned to the large dining hall of the
Bosworth Post building which was quite
filled.
AT the table the divine blessing was in
voked by Rev. F. T. Bayley of Portland.
The supper, served by the caterers, l.. j.
Perkins & Son, was first class in quality and
service.
At the business session. George II. Rich
ardson was elected to membership and the
name of Samuel Bell of Woodfords, was
proposed.
President Wilson congratulated the club
on the pleasant and successful half year
now closing with so brilliant meeting.
The honored guest of the club and the
speaker for the occasion. Rev.
George A. Gordon, DID,, of the Old South
church. Boston, was very happily introduced
by the president.
DR.. Gordon announced as his theme: 1.-THE
Ministry as the Trustee Of the Gospel of
Christ"
Remaining at the outset that the ministry
is not the only trustee of the truth. he recog-
nized the family. the laity. and above all the
Holy Spirit, as supporters and promoters Of
the gospel. But limiting himself to tue
trusteeship of the ministry, he suggested
particularly to the ministers, that the gospel
is not quite dependant upon 1.-THE efforts Of
the profession, for there Is an inherent pow
er in the truth. moment0us independence
ofits ministers which has madelthe greatest
syitable NIGH Then we not as quite ministers sn
should note the assimilative capacity Of
Christianity. Tie extra Christian forms of
thought as appearing in the ethnic religions,
are taken up by this wonderful religion of
Christ. The absorption and assimilation Of
stronger, more beautiful, symmetrical, stall
wart. We need not feel hostile to the extra
Christian faiths, but willingly accept the
good elements In these. Christianity has a
lation Of the sound elements in all faiths.
Free thought needs orthodoxy, but ortho-
doxy also needs free thought. Truths still
need half truths, and can unite thereto the
unbroken beliefs of the sound faith. The
only real enemies of Christianity are atheism
ou6 dacnoir Tho fret cQpda End nj af a
universe, and the second banishes hope from
human life. The trustee ministry may well
remember lthat the gospel is Independent,
and moves ION with power OF its own to
take up all fgood into itself and:so enhance
its power. To remember this. will enhance
the power of the ministry. Moreover the
ministry will find strength in keeping lively
| in their minds the conviction that the gospel
| is abundantly able to cope with the three
| great problems Of humanity, the problem of
physical pain, of social inequality, of moral
This gospel of Christ, the Christ of God
has shown itself, and is now showing Itself
| strong to meet these great demands, and the
trustee of this gospel should fix 1t in his
faith. that the gospel cure. which he Is to
| great ills of humanity and heal the souls
| these ills have ravaged The ministry needs
| a positive tone, firm fibre of faith, and its
voice should with no uncertain sound declare
solve the great problems and fill the supreme
needs of the world and of men.
Physical evil, even, is to be continually re-
duced by the gospel; social inequality is to
be overcome BY the love Of the gospel; and
will be worsted by the all powerful gospel of
| the Divine Christ.
The trustee of the gospel has a trust of
| practical power, but 1t Is also trust of i'm
measurable power, splendid and supreme
energy of Heaven.
The address ,of DR.. Gordon dealt with
Fundamental truths, the most vital and
practical truths. and in clear and logical
style he eloquently emphasized these feat.
ures of the gospel. and he enforced his views
| with delightful freshness aud vigor.
Or Dalton, prcsont a guost of the club,
and always with the club a most welcome
guest, In very felictous speech spoke of
the evangelical minority as body of men of
faith, and he was glad to know that by no
means all of them yield to the
temptation to preach about the Cos
pei rather than preach the gospel
itself he is an unfaithful trustee
who is sensational rather than sound. or
who in any way defrauds those for whose
benefit he has the truth In trust.
The trustee of the gospel should take care
that he do not inculcate the error that it is a
matter of indifference what form of religion
we set forth was the important idea forcibly
expressed by Rev. F. t. Bayley in a hearty
Endorsement of the address of the evening.
Rev. DIR. Fem and Rev. DIR. Merrill dis.
cussed the subject briefly and eloquently
recognizing the truths presented In the
principal address of the evening.
The exercises closed with prayer by Rev
| B. P. Snow of Yarmouth.
The club now takes recess till October