The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-01-31
THE CONGREGATIONAL CLUB
MEETING HELD AT DWIG TIT PLACE
 CHURCH LAST NIGHT.

Eloquent Address by the Rev. A. Z.
 conrad of Worcester, Mass, on the
 Question. "The Church for the New
 Century''-Intense Interest Manifested
 by the Large eAudience-SOcial Session.
 There was an unusually large attend ance at the meeting of the New Haven Congregational club held in Dwight Place church last night. A social ses- slon commenced at o'clock and the la dies of the church furnished a. splendid supper to over 400 people. Following, the supper came an address by the Rev. A. z. Conrad of Worcester, Mass. HIS topic was "The Church for the New Century" The address was one oI the ablest ever heard in this city the speaker having splendid command or language and an excellent delivery. Ihe audience gave him the closest of attention and seemed convinced of the truth of his sayings. He said that the Christian church will have more to do
 
 new century that will confront the wis., dom of the land than she has ever had in the past. We have had revolutions and wonderful advancements which have been of the most important nature Discovery has brought us heart to heart with the people of remote regions so that we feel their pulse beat almost as strongly as those of our neighbors. The period is fraught with the greatest op- portunities and this makes the begin- ming of the century more to contem- plate. The history of the past suggests that of the future
 The mission of the church is spiritual imperialism. The task is a collosal one. It is the spreading of the divine truth through the world. Christ delegated the church to be his representative and the church thrilled with divine love. He gave the church it's commission and equipment and declared that it must be the Interpretation of Christ. This is the gracious task to which the church of the new century will adapt itself. She will go on rescuing and uplifting until we recognize Christ as the Lord of all. The Christian church has had her ebbs and flows as the tides. Her spiritual potency is in evidence, the movement is gaining momentum and reaching a point that is intensely interesting. The movement of the church is in accord with the law of circularity. The meas ure of the church is not in her members or wealth or temple but in her uplifting power The church is to be tested by her power to uplift the world and to say arise. She truly has been church of power. The church for the new cen- tury must be winning church, which shall interpret Christ and have an up- lifting power. What kind of a church is that? The first characteristic is this; it must be a united church. The essen- tial unity of the church has been found and the prayer of the Christian has been realized The church is uni fled and amalgamated and she is now face to face with the inicuities, which are to be found in every land She must stay back the torrent. Denomi- nations may have advantage for years to come, but there must be no friction; all must be united. We must fix our eye upon the Christ and lend our ef- forts to the bringing of all to him. The church of the new century will be tol- erant and will no longer look upon those of different denominations as an- tagonists. The cry "crucify him" will never rise. The church will recognize the great fundamental principles of the religion and allow men to have their own opinions upon all matters subordl- nate. The question will be Have you accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior?" 1o JoI +1 %A church by the resistlessness of God The church of the coming century will be cooperative, working in harmony. The competition which has been very harm full will not exist. Churches will not rejoice over the number of persons that have come to their church with letters from other churches, but in the number of new members they have secured by leading them to Christ. Man has never become conscious of his own power un- til he has grasped the outstretched hand of eternal life. The first element is faith in God. This the conquering church will realize. There must be faith in God, the Son and the Holy Ghost and faith in humanity. The church will have faith in itself. There will be no more excuses, T pray thee have me excused" but it will be more ''Here am I Lord. send me-" There | will be a realizing sense that we are here for a purpose. It will be a Bible | builded church. The Bible has within itself the ability to propagate its own truths. It is a gracious work and need mot fear the consciences of the critics. l Throw on the light and let its pages | be thoroughly examined. It will be a covenant keeping church even though | the covenants be reduced to one article, | and that loyalty to Jesus. The power of the church is measured by the num- Der of it's loyal members The church | is interesting herself in the cause of | humanity and is engaging herself in the great problems that have perplexed, | and the sorrows that have not been as- suaged. Experience teaches us that the | world needs sympathy This life is a struggle The output should interest it. | self in everything that is of interest to any aching heart. Christians ought to be the pattern. Something should be done beside standing in a niche in the wall We must do the work for Jesus Christ and fill the world with the