The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-09
STAMFORD

Ans MSn Siuu Auuis sSS uy hsfs mi .
 Woodruff Man and His Church Work -Business Energy Mir. Judson
 Red Men-LemonS
 A large number of gentlemen met last night at the residence of MT. G. G. Alborn on Warwick avenue to listen to an address before the Mems Club by Rev. Henry Woodruff of Black
 Rock. on 'the Man and His Work in the Church" Among the gentlemen present were Mr. Lindquest, Mr. Me Laren Stevens, Mr. Thomas B. TayloA the president of the club. MT. Law renee. Deacon Stagg, MT. Radford B.. Smith, Rev. Arthur Shirley. MT. Mall Elliott W. Peck, MT. Curtis. MT. Viner. MT. Carlos Blakeman. MT. Elson R Beecher, and quite a number of Grand Army men. Dr. Packard was unable to be present. and the same was true of Deacon Philo Haven. who was de- tained at home by the serious illness of his daughter Ruth. who. it was. re- ported. has symptoms of appendicitis. of the club. MT. Woodruff began by saying that he was reminded of the Indian who said: That if you cheat me once it is a shame on you but if you cheat me twice 1t is a shame on me- This in reference to the fact that he had been asked before to address the club. He then told a story said to be original with Taft at Yale him. It made him think of moth er who was calling her boy-John. .J-o-h-n. John" The boy replied: "Do yau want me mother. or are you just hol ering ?'
 He said he felt like the old darky who
 bought some gun powder. He took it, rubbed it in his hands. smelt of it etc What's the matter with it. Sam?' asked the man who sold it. was the reply, '-but it seems to me it
 has been shot off once before." He said he was almost ashamed to tell such stories when there were so many older liars present! 'fN 's-a
 Thele are three essentials for the ministry-a man should feel that he has calling to preach; he should be able to induce others to come and hear him; and he should have something worth saying. As regards the topic of a man and his work in the church, the first question is like the topic of snakes in 1reland-there are no snakes in Ire land. So most of us have no concep- ton that the church has campaign. The people haven't as yet come to- gether; they fail to apprehend the inn portence of the subject. Why should a man go to church to compliment the
 minister. If one doesn't enjoy the ser mon it is of little use to him. The church is engaged in an incessant campaign to do the will of God: to save souls: to build up character. Man is like a trolley cer-all complete. but there is buffer. for he may run into another car. And there is coupler to connect with another car. Man is a social being and he should be always feeling out after somebody else. We must have a benevolent activity. Men were mt selfish in the old Puritan days when they were willing to be damned for the glory of God. The church is engaged in continuous campaign. In politics if the Democrats or the Republicans make a vigorous campaign in a given part of the coun- try. something will result. So it is with the church. Until the will of God is done, the work of the church will not be done. After the emancipa ton proclamation had been issued the old abolitionists got together and adjourn ed sine die-their work had been ac- party. Who ever heard of a church considering that it's work was done and therefore adjourning. Men have their work to do. We usually see pie children. which the others are bringing to Him. There may be a man stand ing in the back ground. But if you read your Greek testament, you will spoken of and the fathers brought their children to Christ. Now the chief end of man is to get his Sunday dinner promptly. The higher things H.
 This should not be. It is said of Grant that once someone said in his presence that is a cracking good story and as there are no ladies present we can tell it. "Yesi" said Grant "but there are gentlemen present. person has no business to have no interest in church matters. If we can dress ourselves up like guys and march with torches be- petty political cause. we should be willing to take some interest in a high CT campaign MT. Woodruff told the story of a Scotchman who thought he was going to die. and a conversation he had with Rev. MT. McNeil of Bridgeport. The clergyman insisted that the ScoIchman would not die, and finally made him consent to listen to what he wished to have done if he the clergyman died first. Well" said the Scotchman. What is it?'' ''First be sure Pm dead before you bury me- 'I Will" said the Scotchman And what then2'' "I don't care what you do next.'' replied the clergyman. Rea- lize the part you should take in the church campa gn. and l do not care what you do next. Take the business Made in Bridgeport" known the world over. and turn some of it into the church campaign. Make a profess sion of religion-not a mere church piano player did to become a profes- SionaI. Make a business of religion There was boy who sad his father is a Christian but he don't work at it much.
 There are. said MT. Woodruff two spirits in the church. One is that tired feeling We all have it. Even the school boy has it. He does not want to go to school. and he does not want to cut wood If it is stormy day he waits to see if the bell will strike an- nouncing that there is no school. But did you ever know boy to stay in because it was too stormy to go to .l1..