Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-30
THE FIRST BANQUET.
Marked Success of the United Pres.
byterian Social Union
ORGANIZED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.
4 Good Membership Of Prominent reopIe
That Is Increasing.
FOUR FEAsTs TO BE HELD IN TIE YEAR

The United Presbyterian Social Union
was organized several weeks ago, and las,
evening the first banquet was held. Con-
troller E S. Morrow is one of the leading
spirits and he is proud of the organization.
1t is composed entirely of laymen and no
preachers need apply. The union is in
tended exclusively for active members Of
the church in the two cities and vicinity,
and the ministers for once are not in 1t.
They accept the decree with good grace
and are glad to see the laity on the alert.
just the same 80. dominies attended the
feast and they enjoyed themselves as guests.
The Union has q membership OF W
already, but after the banquet last even
ing the Controller expects 1t will go up to
150. It is the intention to give four ban
quets during the year. The Executive
Committee met last night and decided that
the next one would occur at the Mononga-
hela House, Thursday, February 2. No
other business was transacted at the
meeting.
AReception Before the Banquet.
The officers of the Union are: President
Colonel R E. Stewart; Vice President, j.
H. Murdoch, of Washington; Secretary,
John T. Findley; Treasurer, j. B. Fraser,
Cashier OF the Union National Bank. The
object of the association is to cultivate good
fellowship among the members OF the
United Presbyterian Church, and to pro-
mote the work of the gospel Previous to
the banquet reception was held from to
9 o'clock. The ladies and gentlemen spent
the time in pleasant conversation, and en-
joyed the occasion immensely. About 250
guests were present, and in the throng were
noticed Rev. j. A. Douthett, Alex
ander Dempster, Colonel Robert
E. Stewart, Rev. j. I. MeCrory,
Graham Scott, Controller E S. Morrow,
McNaugher, DR. w. c. Shaw, A. j. Evans,
j. B. Heron, d. T. Reed, H. j. Murdock,
John T. Findley. Mr.. and Mrs. Campbell,
William Hill, Prof Samuel Andrews,
Rev. Mr.. Acheson, T. j. McCalip, Peter
Dick and wife, j. j. Porter, Major A. P.
Burchfeld, Percy F. Smith and others.
The feature of the banquet was the sing
ing. 1t was furnished by Mr.. and Mrs.
Christian Thelen, the teacher of music in
Westminster College, at New Wilmington,
Homer Moore and the McGiH Quartet.
Solos were sung by Mrs. Thelen and Homer
Moore Mrs. Thelen was well received by
the people, and only an encore would
satisfy them. She has full and strong
soprano voice, and above all is beautiful
woman.
Clever Responses to the Toasts.
At the banquet the blessing was asked
by Rev. Mason w. Presley, and the bene-
diction was pronounced by Rev. Josias
Stevenson. An interesting programme had
been prepared. After Colonel Stewart, the
expressed his surprise over the
success of their first feast, he introduced HI.
J. Murdoch. Of Washington. whose subject
was "The Layman, His Duties and Posi-
tion.'' Mr.. Murdock explained that he
was lawyer but not a member
of the Allegheny county bar. He said a
layman should not be a mere figure. He
was not intended to merely, hold down a
few, or to be sponge or Jug, receiving all
his learning from the minister, and not CIV
ing anything in return for it The day Is
past when laymen are supposed to be simple
6gureheada
Speaking of the elders, Mr.. Murdoch said
they were ordained by the laying on of
hands. They are called Of God. The elder
should not be negative character.
The time has gone by when the elder ac-
Of the congregation, and opened
gates and let down bars. 1t used to be that
he elder went along to sustain the dignity
of the preacher in the church courts. The
elder is no longer the brake tor the car
when he thinks the pastor is driving too
asst Mr.. Murdock related story of an
I'D Scotch elder who said he was going to
he Presbvtery ito contradict wee." The
speaker thought this work could be left to
Rev. Mr.. McCrory and DR.. MeGilL This |
'emark produced a round of applause.
Requisites of an Elder.
In conclusion Mr. Murdock held that the |
.lder should be as intelligent as the minis |
er He should be a good teacher No |
nan should be elected elder unless he is |
ull of spiritual wisdom and intelligence |
With an active eldership and q consecrated |
the church can accomplish a
,reat deal.
The next speaker was A. j. Evans, who
poke on "How to Cultivate the Esprit de !
Corps in the United Presbyterian Church"
he argued that discipline was good thing,
md related several stories about Napoleon
md General Sherman to illustrate his
,oint. He thought if every member of the
hurch left q good record with his neigh
,ors, he had done we'll Mr.. Evans is
awyer, and Colonel Stewart in Introducing |
lin said that he never knew until the
lnion was organized that Mr.. Evans
vas United Presbyterian. It was this
eature of the society that he liked. 1t made
i'm acquainted with the religion of many
'eople that be knew and met daily.
DR.. D. A. McClenahan followed Mr..
Evans on the same subject He made an
BILE and interesting speech.
During the evening a telegram WAS read
rom Mr. Gregg. He hoped enthusiasm