The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-08

snens club. last evening, IN the Eloise
vas the most successful OF the season,
and four score members and guests en-
Joyed the exercises. Shortly after
O'Clock. the business meeting was held ga
tho parlors with President MUmFord pre-
siding,
rhe records OF the previous meeting as
read by Secretary Tilden were approved
and an invitation from ST. Augustine
guild of st stephens parish 90 meet In
missionary conference ou THURSDAY. Feb.
4, was accepted.
Chief Justice Suness. Of The Supreme
court, suggested that the announcement
of the Invitation be repeated at the din
ncr 70 follow and the suggestion was APP
proved
President Mumford then appointed the
following committee on nomination of
officers for the ensuing year 10 report at
the annual meeting after Easter.
James a. Pierce. OF tho Church Of the
Messiah.
r. RI. Martin. of St Stephens.
Benjamin McDougall, OF Trinity church,
Bristol.
SUPPER AND SPEECHES.
rhe members and guests filed into the
banquet nall, whore. an elaborate menu
was provided. Al the table of honor and
to the left OF President Mumford were
seated Rev. George II. Nsndewater. II.
D.. rector OF 'St. Andrews church, New
York city; William Gammell aud Rev.
N'ilford l.. Hopes, rector of Calvary
church.
10 his left We're Rev J O. $. Hunting
ton superior of the order OF the Holy
cross: n. II. 1. Goddard Mayor Granger,
Colonel Cyrus NJ Van Slyck and Alder
man stephen A. Cooke.
Nearly two hours were devoted to the
son and flow OF logic. There were only
Two speakers. but they were eminent gen
tlcinen and the manner i'm which they
.-St-etiHeeA- theme ~ the evening uaS
both interesting and instructive. The
topic chosen was, How Best Can the
Church Reach tho Masses"
President Muuford referred pathetical
~ 10 the death OF a member since the
previous meeting Governor Gregory of
Sc Paul's church WEXFORD Deceased
was long time member OF the club and
The mourning evident on every side at
tested his popularity
Treasurer Charles u. Godfrey. so Presl-
dent Munford was pleased 20 state, is on
The road 10 recovery, and congratulate
ory message with regrets of inability 10
he present from Bishop Coadjutor Me
Vickar was received. He also reported
1Iifnyctr Ms improving.
MODERN AND PRoGREssIVE.
The first speaker was Rev. DR. Vande-
water. and he certainly discussed the
topic OF the evening from a modern, pro-
greRsive and logical point Of view. lie
assorted that the church has never fully
reached the masses. but ~ reaching them
better today than ever. far better than
when people were satisfied with a mere
church building and there was nothing
OF a sociological nature whatever
I'VE have not mastered the problem.
he declared. hut we have attempted It's
solution and will not bc satisfied until
ii is solved. "
Continuing, he said: 81 speak from eS-
perienoe, for l have been during the past
quarter OF a century rector of pew ana
rector of free churches The church must
he open. The ideal church Is the free
church. but IL is not always possible To
have 1t. N YOU could have the endowed
church IL is inquitous To rent pews. our
churches must be open ~ the masses il
we are ever TO reach the masses. The
upen church makes the masses understand
that they are welcome. How can You
anfucnce the masses unless you go to
themr ~ you want the people 10 como
20 y0u. YOU must so 60 them. when
a person ~ brought 20 your church he
should enjoy il to such an extent tha;
he will 20 again. | know there are great
difficulties but We Will never reach the
a
he ,laALS- -EenI -hl- -nAAIz- nav
I'VE must better accommodate out
services to the masses. The masses can
not all come 40 church az N N. m. some
Of the people seem 90 think that Gud
Almighty has issued down from SINAI
the edict Thou shalt worship the Lord.
thy God. az n "a. m. Ia the summer
time people ought 40 have said their
prayers hong before that hour and nc out
in the country enjoying themselves.
believe there was never "a time when there
was less iundeity in the world than now.
The Methodist church with not one
half the equipment we have does reach
the MASSES. because when they meet they
are brothers and sisters Some of you
don't like this and don't want Il 40 get
into the papers. but 81 is true and ought
10 yet into the papers. because good
deal trat is not true gets there. believe
IN daily service and 7 want 10 see the
church used just as the Roman Catholic
church is used There S. no trouble in
sctting tho masses The trouble Is hold
ing them. open your churches and ac-
sommQdote your services 70 the masses.
MORE LIBERTY NEEDED.
I'VE must have more liberty in PRAYER.
j love the Hurry but j believe in az
femporaneOus prayer The man who
simply follows the book never knows the
secret o. fraycr. We must give tho
MASSES some social opportunity to com.
together and express their feelings oulv
about ton men ir the city Of New York
can say what they think We need more
liberty IN PRAYER and more liberty ln
preachine. The average opinion !s that
sermon is not much. but ~ h fully az
much as the average editorial % news.
paper wish ear ministers would not
preach unless they nsd something 80 sav.
'rhe Episcopal church his suffered from
fts eEcllsiveness
We must teach people the lost art ~
worship I believe fhrre was never a
time when people went ~ church 90
much ss today. The time Is ripe for the
best efforts - the church. A man ~ not
half q man who does not 50 % church
10 worship God
1T 'e a du.y ~ man 10 worship God
ruo unless man worships God he is lack.
ing IN one essential of manhood We
must give our bishons more work. We
ere sent 20 presch the Gospel whether
fhere 81 church cr not The Gospel
shostf4 I~ rr.erhrd far hevord fhe ror.