The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-05
A Meeting Of the Club
Held Last Evening.
causes Of Non-Attendance
at Church" Discussed. :
Addresses by Colonel Larned and
Bishops Nelson and Johnston.

mems CLUB at the Trocadero last evening
were attend Cd by a large mum Der OF mem
hers and guests, ana the gathering proved
an interesting and Instructive one.
Previous to sitting down to the dinner a
business meeting OF the clue was held. at
which II was voted 10 amend the consti-
tuition, so that the mem bership might be
Increased 10 l75- An smendmsgt prnviu-
ing for the limiting Of mem bership to l6O
was voted down.
At O'Clock the club PRESIDENT, ID. L.
ID. Granger lea the wsy to the banqoet
room, where an orchestra played well
come to the mem bers and guests. Ab,ut
100 we're sealed at the ia ples, and discussed
Ia a sAtisiactoy way the excsll~nt din-
ner provided, and incidentally referred 10
the contest OF the previous nay.
The guests of honor at the diuner we're:
kt. Rev. James Sieplo John, ton, ID. D.,
missiJnary bishop oil "estern 1exas, Rt.
Rev. CleIan Kinloch Nelson, DID,, bishop
OF Georei ard Colonel Charles w. Larned,
U. S. A., OF Nest Point. III, subject
chosen for discussion wns, "Causes OF
Nom -AttendArcs at Churcp," and as ois-
cussed py the above named gentlemen
proved enc OF the most interesting and
practical topics ever dis. .ussed by the
club.
President Granger, after an hour and q
haifs attsntton bad been given to the
consideration of the dinner, called tie
Nom bers OF the club to order, saying that
the constitution called for a meeting
In OCTOBER or Novem Der, and it had been
suggested that the mem bers would erjoy
the dinner bettsr the night after election,
ana trusted everyone had enjoyed this
jinner. This pointed reference to the
victory tor sound money won wrm ap-
plausc. After farther remarks in brief
on the topic of tho evening, "Causss of
Non Attendance at Church." he intro
dueed tolonel Charles W. L@rned OF tn.
U. .. A. a. the tirst speaker Of the eve-
ming. Colonel Lsrped sal j., "You were
asked yesterday as to The way ycu should
choose. and you chose righteousness ana
ltj cied anarchy, and as the eclipse has
passed away from the sun trust there
Will be tllea wi b lanSful worshippers."
jho speaker tnsn mace. some pleasant
" ilti. ism on his prepf ration for his ad-
oress that won as warm and bsarty ap-
l'iaus, as his optpinx references to the
dec,sion OF the electors OF the country,
Oe5lin next with the causs of absence
from the church on Sundays ne said hs
hrI ,ad 4 I'D "A
eace on the part Of members Of the
he said nothing c,uld take the
D lace of this reverence. ibis is su age OF
irreverence tho very spiris Of its phil
osopcby 10 that notr ing liz to be believed
q TOO much and notbiug will ever he
too reverenced. We hsv. doubts as to
' re advi,a bility Of holding to faith but
W, have no doubts as to business or as TO
holcing I" our opinions la many lesser
ibings. How many OF oar clergy ana
lsily really believe that religion is real
and dc not feer in their hearts thvt 1t is
all fond delution. How many of the
clergy fear the hypercritic and the spade
Christians may differ in belief ( here are
threo things that never can be discussed
with doutt. tns personality of the diety,
{ he Immortality o the soul and the divinity
OF Christi The discussion Of these
/ things in the sanctuary cannot be con-
sidered anything but blasphsn,ous
said Colonel Larnsd.
The spesk-r maintained hatChristianity
was either all true or all q delusion and
gavo some severe ideas of his own ON
those VINO auslyze their faith, who agree
to only so much of 1t as might suit Her
bert spencer. Shallow Christianity wss
The second reason, and the encroac hmt mt
Of business, the third reason for the
small attendance at church on Sundays. |
Colonel Lsrnsd severely criticised the |
differences between the treatment given |
the Armenian trou biss and what would
be the case IL there was q matter OF busi- |
ness or trade concerned.
1n closing Colonel Larncd made a very
parnest plea for the devotion of all the |
pnerg les OF manhood to the furthorance
pf the spirit OF reverence.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Nelson was the second |
speaker, ano after some pleasant intro |
ductory remarks he said the question
might bs asked why men should 70 to |
Phurch--is II because they are growing
vorseY 81 believe men are growing bet |
Ter ana In fact would be clssssd as an
'ptimist." The bishop then, in support
pf his position, cited some Interesting |
instances showing that there wss a
reverence not In our books ana that in
eyes there was Q reverence that IL We
could end the key the men. or women
would become church goers. II men are
%, become frequent In their attendance |
i church they rffust be shown ths. they
viii gain by ~, for there are gains
beyond ali earthly gains There are two
easons Why msn should 20 to church to
'ear and worsnip. Il is important to-
,esr, out also necessary 10 Worship.
n too many instances the hearing took
90 promins mt q part and II men oe-
ired enterta inment auch IA satisfied