The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-23
WORDS OF REGRET
CONGREG RATIONAL CLUB ADOPTS A
MINUTE AT IT'S MONTHLY
GATHERING
ON THE DEATH OF REV. WELLS.
OLIVET CHURCH, OF MERRIAM
PARK, WAS THE HOST LAST
NIGHT.
ON THE DEATH OF REV. WELL
THREE INTERESTING PAPERS.
Rev. j. A. Stcmen, Rev. Watson ID.
Willard and Rev. George II. GZer-
riEI Were Heard.

Olivet Congregational church. of Mer-
riam Park, was last evening converted
into an exceedingly handsome banquet
hall by the deft hands of the women of
the church. The occasion was meet
ing of the Congregational club of the
Twin Cities, over fifty of the members
attending. Long tables were placed
lengthWayS in the church, replacing
the seats, and We're daintily laid and
decorated with bright dollhouse flow
ers. The tables were in charge of the
women of the church, who attended to
the wants of the club members in a
most satisfactory way. Judge Robert
d. Russell. of Minneapolis, president
of the club, presided. An informal
business meeting was held previous to
the banquet, at which Rev. T. A. Tur-
ner Hazel Park church; S. r. Skies,
Plymouth church; Prof. Frank H. Con-
slant, First church, and Rev. ]. w.
Hayward, Bethany church, were adj
mitted as members, the Rev. T. A.
Turner being introduced to the other
members. During the dinner the presi-
dent announced a committee on resO-
1utiOns on the death of Rev. DR.. Wells,
who was president of the club two
years ago. He also announced two
new names for membership, c. G. r.
vine and H. A. Still, both of Olivet
church. The committee on resolutions
later submitted the following minute,
which was adopted
The Minnesota Congregational club feels a
deep sense of affection at the sad death OF
our beloved associate and former president
Rev. George H. Wells d. D.
We remember his delightful presence, the
wealth of his geniality, the genuineness of
his goodfellowship, the inspiration of his elo-
quence, his historical erudition his devotion
to the work OF the ministry, his sympathy
with every condition of men, his enthusiastic
loyalty to his Master.
His memory will ever be kept green in our
hearts. His life and his teachings will be
inspiration to complete conservation and
selfish devotion to the service of fellow
men and the service of our Lord Jesus
Christ
Rev. John A. Stemen read the first
paper of the evening on What Have
the Churches Represented by the Club
to Give to the Community, Which Is
Especially Theirs?" Mr.. Stemem said
in part:
In opening this discussion they must
take for granted all that honorable
history Of past centuries woven into
Congregational Orga nisn. To take cur
place and do this duty was the right
full aim of the churches represented in
the club. IN the first place the church
eS represented in this club have a
special mission to this region as life
keeps growing more complex, in hold
ing the simplicity, cathohcity and de-
mOcracy of Christ's kingdom constant
ly to the front. Mr.. Stemen spoke Of
the growth of the Congregational re-
ligiOn from the Pilgrim puritan church
es in a few of the New England states
to PresbyterianiSm in the West, till
finally, under stress of the times, this
new child was clothed with COngrega-
tionalism and sent forth with trern-
bling through this region. Who would
say that having lost its smaller pro-
vincial life, it had not really, for the
first time in all its life, found its larger
life Of achievement? There was the
pressing obligation resting on churches
in this club at the gates Of the Twin.
Cities Of the Northwest to do and keep
ON doing for this broad religion behind
the gates what their churches have 50
we'll done in the New England states.
Mr.. Stemen also called attention to
the opportunity to teach the New
Word" peculiarly offered by the mixed
inhabitants of the upper Mississippi.
In the second place, he said, Congre-
gationalisTn always had been and al
ways would be true to its work. The
local church was a company Of be-
levers in Jesus Christ associated for
Christian work and worship. Then
club have a special work in wisely
standing for and preparing the way
for the more complete cooperation,
looking toward the closer utilization OF
the different denominations in this re-
g'iOn. While the nation remained a
republic, the only church unity posi-
bic is that in which each religious body
should manage it's own affairs while
at the same time, it sought also the
prosperity of every other in which it
recognizes the presence Of God. In
all the new unfolding of Congregation
alism, If they had a passion to be as
largely useful as possible in spreading
the spirit of Christ, they should look
little more closely at the evils of UNI
denominationalism
Rev Watson B. Willard followed ON
Some Tendencies in Their Present
Life" DR.. Willard said that the clubs
attitude was hopeful in regard to con-
ditions of today; that it was not I'M
friendly, even when apparently severe
In criticism He said that perhaps I'M
DERIVING many of the symptoms and
tendencies was the sentiment that the
club ought TO be more practical in re-
ligion- Another general factor should