Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-17
ITS ANNUAL MEETING
Thirty-Sixth Anniversary OF
Congregational Club.
ORDER OF EXERCISES
THE OCCASION CELEBRATED
WITH MUSIC AND ADDRESSES.
Business Meeting Held and Officers
Chosen for Ensuing Year
Guests Present.

After a good dinner. which was served
by the ladies of the First Congregational
Church In the Sunday school room OF the
church last evening. the members OF the
Washington Congregational Club enjoyed
the wise and witty speeches which had been
provided for their entertainment. The func-
ton began at o'clock with reception in
the parlors Of the church. Here the MEM
beers, as they came to attend the thirty
sixth annual meeting Of the organization.
were each decorated with red carnation.
Unlike most clubs this organization is COM
posed Of both sexes. and on such an ami
versary occasion Els last night. when ban
quet Is on the program, husbands are not
obliged to 60 by themselves. Their wives
accompany them and enjoy the festivities
Of the evening.
Before proceeding to the dinner table
some business was transacted, the most i'm
portant feature OF which was the election
of officers. Rev. John l.. W. Ewell. d. D..
who had served the club In the position OF
president during the past year, was recodn-
mended by the committee on nominations
for reelection. and this action was heartily
Endorsed by the club. The company then
proceeded to the banquet room. where the
ladies of the church had set the prettily
adorned table. The large room was practt-
cally filed with the tables. and about them
the members assembled, while about a
table which was placed on the platform
were the president and other officers of the
club and those who had been invited to
make addresses The dinner was promptly
served by an efficient corps Of walters from
the small rooms on each side of the dining
room.
President Ewell as POSTMASTER.
When the dinner was over the diners
t,,r nod thogv oh gr fn the Mat
form, and the assemblage was turned into
an appreclative and interested audience OF
people in evening dress. President Ewell,
In his predatory remarks which he made
in the capacity Of POSTMASTER, spoke elo-
quently of the service to humanity OF the
Puritans, from whom large number OF
those present claimed descent He called
attention to the reproduction on the first
page of the program OF the seal of the col
ony Of Plymouth and then mentioned some
of the labors OF thol, early pioneers In their
effort IS to bring the Gospel to the Indians.
The first speaker to be introduced was
Rev. c. J. Ryder. D. D.. Of New York city,
who gave some account Of the work done
among the mountain whites Of the south
the American highlanders. as he preferred
to call them. AS missionary secretary he
has had special opportunities for studying
these people in their homes, and he made an
earnest and eloquent plea for people who
had done such excellent service for the
dates back to revolutionary stock. He told
his hearers what Is being done with the
money which generous people are giving In
supplying schools and colleges and churches
in that section of the country. He referred
to Gen. o. o. Howard, who occupied a seat
on the platform. and said he had perhaps
done more than any other man toward
helping these people to better things.
Warm Welcome Extended.
In introducing the next speaker. Mr.. 8.
W. Woodward. the president referred to his
well-known philanthropy and willingness to
assist in any good undertaking, and said
that he knew of no man who faced collec-
ton basket with more cheerfulness than
does Mr.. Woodward. This reference ELECTED
many demonstrations of approval from the
listeners and Mr.. Woodward received
warm and hearty welcome when he arose
to speak. He was introduced as the repre-
sentative of the Baptist churches of the
city, just as, later. Rev. Dr. Hamlin, the
pastor of the Church Of the Covenant. was
mentioned as the representative of the
Presbyterian Church.
Mr.. Woodward:s theme was duty to our
country, and he treated 1t in thoughtful
manner. He said that when he was boy
one way to do ones duty to his country
was by bearing arms in Its cause. He Seri-
ousy hoped the day had passed when such
a necessity would confront the people,
Peace. he added. has its victories no less
renowned than war He believed the well
fare of the world is in the hands Of the
English speaking people. If this nation is
to hold its place in the front ranks. the
speaker said we must have a body of citi-
zens in harmony with the spirit of free in
situations. He illustrated what he meant
by types of twentieth century citizens by
mentioning some whose names had become
known for their active and self-denying
labors in promoting the welfare of others.
Mr. Woodward spoke Of the various plans
,ot,f I, trynr
for others, and said that men who gave
their best effort to such activities could be
found in every walk of life Not all men,
he added can achieve great things. but
they can act well their part. support the
flag Of their country and keep their hearts
open to appeals for help in lettering their
fellow-men. In this way they will be most
effectively doing their duty to country.
The speakers ringing, patriotic utterances
were heartily appreciated, judging by the
response elected from the audience in the
way Of applause.
Other Themes Discussed.
The next speaker was Rev. H. P. Beach
of New York city. whose theme. China"
was treated in a way that was not only in
teresting but instructive. He pointed out
the strong influences lying in the nature Of
the Chinese themselves. which causes them
to stand In array against the advance Of
what Is called modern progress or the adop-
ton of western ideas. The laboring class
and the lower government officials were
spoken Of as among the influences which
were in opposition.
Our Duty to the World" was the topic
discussed by the next speaker. Rev. DR.. T.
8. Hamlin. who pointed out that Wilderness
of sympathy, cosmopolitanism, the outlook
Of citizen Of the world, were qualities
requisite to enable us to recognize the broth
erhood of men. and to enable us to do our
duty to the world. or. rather, to realize
what that duty is.
Gen. o. o. Howard. who was next called
upon, spoke In an interesting fashion, and