The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-04-12
The Topic Considered Last Night by
the Congregational Club.
A LARGE AND INTERESTING MEET.
ING AT THE PREBLE HOUSE.

l
The meeting of the Portland Congrega-
tional Club, last evening, at the Preble
House was composed wholly of the
members of the organization and their
| guests The sessions of this class gauge
| the interest of the club in the distinctive
| objects which the association holds in
view. The average attendance of the
| club is most creditable and must be fiat
tering to its management. Last evening
| the number present was large, and the
social hour was by no means engrossed
by waiting for supper. The art of con-
versation, in which President Wilson has
gifts as leader, appears to be receiving
attention in theory and practices at this
opening hour of the club session.
At the table grace was said by Rev. D.
NJ. Pratt of Portland. Following tie ex-
cellent supper, served in remarkably
good taste, President Wilson called the
club. to order and the business was dis
patched in prompt and crisp fashion.
The club gave most hearty welcome
to the guests of the evening, Rev. Matt.
S. Hughes of the Methodist church, Rev.
W. S. Ayres of the Baptist church, Rev.
w. G.. Robinson of the Presbyterian
church, Rev. w. P. Pinkham of the So
ciety Of Friends and Rev. E. B. Mason,
D. D., of the Congregational church in
Brunswick The committee of manage
ment arranged for this evening sympo-
SUM on Christian Unity, the addresses
centering around the question, s'What
can we do to answer our Lords Prayer,
John II, 81, that His disciples may be
one?"
The openind address was made by
Rev. Matt s. Hughes,
of the Chestnut Street Methodist
Church. Mr.. Hughes referred to the
welcome change from the old status
when the search was after points of diff.
ference and criticism, to the present
when all true Christians are seeking for
points for union. We might not look
for unity in UNCONVENTIONAL oneness, nor
unity of creed; indeed, he for one would
not care for mechanical unity in any
form, but he would welcome every
movement toward spiritual union and he
rejoiced that so much was being done
for this real and genuine union of Chris
tians of all names. The clear, catholic
and earnest sentiments of Mr.. Hughes
were warmly applauded.
Rev. W. S. Ayres
spoke for the Baptist church. The way
to overcome that which divides is to la
Dor more diligently for more profound
work Of grace and sanchfcation. We are
to reach unity not through the intellec-
tual life, but through the deeper expert
ences Of the spirit. There should be a
willingness to respect all in their honest
beliefs, and prevalent desire to come
nearer in heart, Christian affection and
all practical concerted work.
The message of peace, unity and con-
cord was that which
Rev. W. G. Robinson
of the Presbyterian church, said he had
come to bring. 1t pleased him to believe
that there is great church within the
churches, and a delightful love cements
these united Christians. No one denomi-
nation should assume that it is the rod
that is to swallow all the other rods.
We should seek the proper adjustment
of truth and love. Our adherence to our
special UNCONVENTIONAL truth should not
be allowed to smother our love for those
who are in Christ and we, on the othey
hand, must not give up truth carlesslr
and indifferently.
Rev. William Penn Pinkham
of the Society of Friends, presented his
views on the subject in well-written
and forcible paper. The corner stones
of union are first, the conscious trust of
the heart in Christ as a Saviour; then,
faithful efforts to give sight to the blind,
and healing to the sin-sick. The spirit
tan and it made deep impression.
The Congregationalists were repre-
sented by the
Rev. Dr. Mason
Of Brunswick, who, in bright and
pertinent speech, expressed the convic-
ton that for one thing we can sincerely
seek to know just what our Lord intended
in this petition. Christ could not have
meant that we are to think the same
things, believe just the same creeds, to
look at things in the same way. There
must be individuality, the personal equa-
ton, but there may be the same charity,
the same loving spirit. Whatever the
unity of Christians shall be, one thing is
certain. it will be variety in unity and
unity in variety The very basis of true
unity will not be indifference to each
others views, but a strong life, the
center of which is love. We want all
these varieties blended in love to God, to
Christ. to one another, and this is
Christian union.
All the speakers agreed that real union
is advancing and expressed their Joy in
it's successful ongoings. The hearty
thanks of the club to the speakers were
expressed in response to motion made
by Mr.. Hinkley, of Portland.
The session closed with prayer by Rev.
A. II. Wright, of Portland.
The May session will be a ladies' eve
ming and the last meeting of the club for
the season.