Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-27
Men and Religions;
Gardiner Church Club

Club of the Universalist church in the
|vestry Of the church. Thursday eve
ming. showed beyond doubt that the
spirit OF the Men and Religion Move
ment which is being agitated through
out the country, has touched Gardiner
with great enthusiasm and intelli
gence. In response to the $50 cordial
Invitations which the committee who
had the matter in charge issued, eX-
actly one hundred put in appearance
and to a man they thoroughly en-
loved. and We're greatly impressed
with the proceedings. The fact was
clearly disclosed that men who have
not been inside any church for many
years can be aroused and Interested
in the subject of religion when the
vital aspects of it are presented and
the matter is submitted to them with
cut hysterice condemnation and rant
ing, While none of the speakers made
any pretense TO personal profession of
religion beyond their fellow men.
and, also, while they had nothing to
say about mystic "otherworldliness,
yet. in one way and another they all
had plenty to say about the necessity
Of the church as an instructive and
inspiring institution in the commun-
ity along moral. social and spiritual
lines. That their words were not like
arrows shot into the air was impress
sively evident when at the close OF
the meeting so out of the 100 present
signed the membership cards of the
club and many were heard to say that
1t was their purpose to be more de-
voted in their attendance at church.
Mr.. F. E. Boston presided and after
he men had taken their places at the
table he called upon the Rev. John
Evans to invoke the divine blessing.
Then the company seated itself and
with keen relish partook of sumptu-
GUS spread which consisted of lobster
salad. rolls, cake, coffee and cigars.
The food was prepared and the tables
set by a committee of ladies-Mrs. w.
C. Goodwin, Mrs. H. NJ. Lawton. Mrs.
B. W. Jackson. Mrs. w. r. Frost, Mrs.
T. Z. Boston, Mrs. f. n. Boston-and
he coffee made by Mrs. L. c. Bal
ard. The tables were in the charge
If Mr.. w. c. Goodwin and served by
en- young men attired in white
dChttS dilAtSl tiit ltttdtIoltlP u AApAtS
Lovely.
After the cigars had been passed
around the presiding officer called the
meeting to order and introduced as
postmaster of the evening MIR. L. c.
Ballard who proved to he most de-
'ightfully fitted to fill that place. In
his Introductory remarks he gave an
abbreviated account OF the Uni
.ersalist church from the time SER
ices were held in the schoolhouse on
he common until now. The first
speaker introduced was c. o. Gunner,
Who was al his best as he appealed
for a greater interest in the chuch on
he part of men. He was followed by
= B. Littlefeld, w. A. r. Blagden, J.
". Berry, Hon. j. A. Spear and Mr..
Ferrill. All of these gentlemen We're
excellent in their remarks and had
he constant attention of their listen
ers. Probably the leading speech, if
it can be said that there was one
speech more leading than another,
was delivered by Judge W. c. Atkins.
1t times he was very witty and at
Dther times was stirred himself. as he
stirred others with the sincerity and
seriousness of his words. After
speaking with marked though sub
dued elequence upon the church's
teaching concerning friendship and
loyalty he exhorted all present to do
what he was going to do-unite with
the club.
w. r. Frost. the president of the
club, was then introduced who spoke
IN explanation of tire object OF the or
sanitation, which was to promote the
general interests and activities of the
church by getting men together. With
+. T.. Boston great credit is due to Mr.
Frost in making the club a reality
The last speaker of the evening was
the Rev. John Evans. He was intro
duced as "a fine preacher, hard
worker and good man TO have
among US" Mr.. Evans spoke briefly
in appreciation of the great support
which he was receiving from the men
of the parish. Among those present
We're men from all walks of life