The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-24
F0REFATHER'S NIGHT.
Address ON 'Christmas i'm New Eng.
Iand''

BY Rev. William Il. Barton of the Shaw
NUT Congregational Church of Boston
Rev. Dwight Nj. Pratt the New Presi-
dent.
The December meeting of the Congre-
gational Club was held at tine Preble
House last evening. 1t was Foretathers'
| Night, !" Ladies' Meeting" and the
date for the annual election of officers.
The following were the officers elected :
| President-Rev. Dwight M. Pratt.
First -president-Re A. H. Wright.
| Second -president-Rufus H. Hinok-
| ley
| Secretary-Fred v Matthews.
| Treasurer-Joseph P. Chute.
Nominating Committee-A. L. Bur-
bank. W. K. Dana and B. NJ. Edwards
Auditor-John f. Warren.
Rev. Charles E. Adams and Rev. W. E.
DeClay brook were elected members of tho
club.
| The name of E. B. Newcomb of West
brook, was presented for m membership by
w. K. Dana.
| President Jenkins said that like Nche-
miah, when in tight place. he had con-
suited with himself in regard to a certain
matter of business. He then read tho fol-
lowing statement which was adopted by
the club: y
The members of the congregational
Club of Portland and vicinity who believe
| by Inheritance and coviction, in Ameri-
can ideas, regard with deepest concern
| the recent sudden outbreak of war-like
talk, and deplore the spirit animating it.
We urge all patriotic and thoughtful
persons to unite with us in disapproval
of it.
| We most respectfully request our repre-
sentatvies in Congress to put forth their
utmost efforts to perpetuate the peace
which has been SO long unbroken between
US and England, believing the calamity
of war between two nations so closely
allied may be honorably avoided by any
sacrifice short of infidelity to the nation'
highest we'll being.
Rev. William E. Barton, pastor of the
Shawmnut Congregational church of
Boston, was the guest Of the evening. He
gave his torioal address on "Christ-
mas in New England" He discussed the
question as to whether the Pilgrim Faith
ers and Christmas had anything to do
with each other. He said that the first
thing knew about Christmas is in 1921
Cushmans' Company had come to the
colony. They declared that they would
not work Oh Christmas day. The Cover
nor said they needn't, but could stay at
home. They began to play games, and
| the Governor said if they wouldn't work,
they shouldn't play. Therefore he locked
| they1, I'M nd oh ho
more celebrating Christmas.
In 1851 there were efforts in Boston to
celebrate Christmas but they were sup
pressed.
In I'LL, Judge Samuel Sewall, famous
| in Connection with the witches trials
spoke Of the celebration of holidays. like
| Christmas, as sinful waste of working
days.
The Episcopaleans five years later had
special communion service on the Goth
Of December, and Judge Sewall left the
church and joined another, believing that
| the Sabbath had been deseTcated.
| In 1868, the Kings Chapel congregation
asked for the use of the Old South for
Christmas celebration. 1t was gener-
ously given them, but with the stipuIa-
ton they should not decorate the church
with evergreen.
In 1916 there was great deal of discus
sion about the celebration of Christmas
day, both pro and con.
As late as 1885 in Connecticut, a Con-
gregational minister argued against the
celebration of Christmas for several rea-
sons. among them that there is no GER
tainty of the date, and it is not commend
ed in the bible.
GAS late as in 1855, DR.. Jospeh P.
Thompson of the Broadway church, pub
lished an article in which he set forth
that we can never celebrate Christmas
without dishonor to God, because it puts
Him on the level of having an earthly
nature. because Of having an earthly
birthday.