Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-12
THE METHODISTS.
Continued from Page Eleven.)

Following the mayors address came
| music by the choir, Lift Thine
| Eyes" and then came an able address
on The Layman and the Church." by
Harry NJ. Cochrane Of Monmouth.
In his Introductory words Mr.. Coch-
rane said that this was the third
consecutive time that he had been ask
ed by the clergy to prepare an address
| on the layman of the Methodist church
and remarked that he would like to tell
the public what he thought Of the min
lister. He then congratulated the citi-
Zens OF Augusta on having so able a.
| mayor as Mayor Plaisted and also OH
having man at the head of municipal
government that recognizes the hand of
God as an important factor in every
thing that happens. Mr.. Cochrane said
in part:
1.-The church is the tool chest Of the
Carpenter of Nazareth and the laymen
are the tools. Some of them are rusty,
some of them are very dun, as / shall
| soon demonstrate. some of them are
badly nicked. But with these tools,
imperfect as they are, the best that is,
he best that has been in human pro-
grcsS has been fashioned.
1T is the specific task of the minis
ter to turn the grind stone and keep
these tools in order. Incidentally. it
may be stated that the pastor who
bends to his work until the last tool
in the Eox has taken a keen edge will
most certainly go to heaven-with an
exceedingly lame arm.
There are in the church two kinds
OF layint n, the real and the ideal. The
first variety You will find as numer-
Gus as simlotS and tack hammers and
screwdrivers. The other is rare as the
ratchet wrench and combination saw.
'"rhe real layman finds himself bound
by unWritten rules to attend all the
services of the church, unless prevent
ed by the weather or urgent duties:
to sit quietly during the preaching of
the word offering no criticism until
after the pronOnncing of the benedictiOn
and the departure of the preacher, to
carefully attend to the finances of the
church, etc.
''rhe ideal layman places the services
of the church above everything else.
He assists ard defends but never
criticses his pastor. He gives for the
support of the Gospel; he prays for
sinners in the public assembly. He
seeks not a minister best adapted to
the people but a man filled with the
spirit and power that will mold the
people that they will conform to the
Divine image.
1.-THE ideal layman regards the MIN
lister not as cart horse which lie
must guide with a brOnchO bit, lashing
him to action when he begins to las
or swapping him off when one can De
secured that shows up BIT better
The ideal layman prefers to have the
minister hold the reins while he pushes
himself into the breastplate."
The speaker then compared the pro-
fessional artists layman with that OF
the church layman and drew the figure
that the minister must use the utmost
caution or his lay figure would stump
on him. causing trouble. He said that
he wondered if a minister VINO goes
to a new appointment does not find
that it requires the most patient and
painstaking care to adjust his laymen
TO suit the requirements OF the oc-
casion.
Continuing Mr.. Cochrane said:
at was Christian layman. inspired
with religious faith and fervor. VINO
II to the church. 1t was body OF
christian laymen who founded our civil
government in the name of the church
for the church. 1t was a BODY OF
Christian laymen who founded our edu-
ca tional policy and our first and great
est university, in the name of the
church Not only are we indebted to
lSymen and the church for the best
there is and the best that has been.
but it is to the influence Of these FAC
tors that we look for the maintenance
of our National status.
Times have changed since the event
that we this day celebrate took place.
The present pastor does not see the
boys on the street pausing i'll their
games to remove their hats when ne
passes, as did the pastor OF century
ago. The tithing man is no longer the
terror of the Sabbath breakers. The
morning sermon is often punctuated
with the staccat0 crack of the sports
mans rife Times have changed.
Imagine Christian minister attempt
ing to introduce into a modern church
the exact methods of Paul. Gregory.
an Augustine or a Luther or wesley. III
the bishop could resurrect the sainted
founder of our denomination and place
him in an up to date metropolitan
church he would be at his wits ends to
know what to do with it,
Concluding Mr.. COchrane said:
Another century. like the one that
this day disappears in eternity, will
bring its changes and innovations. but
it is Divnely demanded Of the Chris
tian layman that he keep firm in his
clutch the guardianship of the institu-
tions founded by the church and that
he heat back, at the price Of friendship.
at the price of reputation and prestige
and the price Of property. the first hand
that reaches for foundation stone
"The Present and the Future"
'Tne Present and the Future was the
subject of an address by Rev. r. H.
Schuett of Portland, who was introduced
to the congregation by Rev. Mr.. Dun
mack Mr.. Dunnacl1 requested the audi
cnce to give Mr.. Schuett the Chataqua
salute. Immediately the air was filled
with handkerchiefs which Mr.. Schuett
oc,,l1, 49,,