Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-02
WA7ERvILLE
FINE SPEAKING AT
LAYMEN'S FEDERATION
BANQUET. WATERVILLE

Watervi)le. Me, Nov. l.-tSpeciaD.-
The annual Layman's Federation BAN
quet at the Methodist vestry Monday
evening was attended by about 12o of
the business and professional men of
the city. The guests sat down at $50
to an exceptionally fine supper served
by the Ladies' Aid and Ladies' AuXil-
Iary. combined Of the Methodist church.
After the guests had done full justice
to the supper, song service, in which
u number Of the familiar hymns were
SURG by the assembled men, the as
semplage was called to order by Jeffer-
son c. Smith, Of the State Y. NJ. c.
A., who called for the singing of
America which was done with
will with all standing.
Mr.. Smith then put the audience in
good humor by number of fine
stories and outlined the object of the
meeting.
Rev. A. o. Leavitt
He then introduced Rev. A. D. Leav-
his pleasure at meeting so many men
at place where he did mot have to
look at them through millinery. He
declared that The men of the church
should take greater interest in
church and should bolster up the min
listers. He spoke of the great laymen's
cont ention which is to be held in
Portland the middle of the month and
CT the great good that is bound to
come fro mthat convention if there is
large gathering.
The Churchs Position
"All our community life is based upon
the church and it is the church that is
bringing us up to higher standard Of
living. The great war has brought US
to doing some straight thinking to know
that the commercial interests of the
world could not prevent the war and
that it was only by religion that we
could hope to prevent war. The spirit
of evil is now using the fine instruments
that were designed for the advancement
of the world. 1t is. the duty of the
church to let the people know the debt
that; they owe to it and then there is
no doubt but what they will do their
part. It is the duty of all men to as
sist in this work.
Mr. Smith then introduced DIR. p. Ii. j.
Larrigo as the Gext speaker of the eve
ming, in his usual humorous vein.
DR.. Larrigo declared the men of the
church had Job and that they have
got to accomplish it. The Christ an
church has a task to accomplish, and
4I,nt ;s., tx-il = /
men. This way is not by miltarism. but
by the church. Every effort that is put
forth to bring Jesus Christ to this world
is to the end of universal peace. The
great task upon tint church is the bring
ing to it the spirits of the men of the
world. The big tasks appeal to the men
of this world and / believe that this is
the generation that God has selected to
do this work. DR.. Larrigo then drew {.
parallel between the human system ana
the church. and what is done for them.
He spoke of changing the name Every
member canvass to Parish wide WISH
tation.' as it covers the subject more
This is something that everyone |
must take a part in and it is neces-
sary for the church to spend great
deal of time in preparation. II believe
that out of the world wide war will
come cement that will weld the
whole people Of the world solidly to-
gether." Every member canvass mus, .
be conducted in certain way or it will
fail. it must be an organized move
ment conducted along certain fast
rules. Must be done by a personal !
visit and not by telephone or letter, !
and it must be done by visiting two
by two. everyone. members of the
church and those of the congregation.
DR.. Larrigo then outlined in full how
to make the every member canvass"
Discussion and Action
On motion of DR.. Phelps the men
gathered extended a vote Of thanks to
the speakers.
Rev. Mr.. Robinson then announced
that the canvass would be on Dec ),
and would be taken part in by all
churches in the city and the Con-
gregational church In Winslow and
Baptist church in Fairfield
Following DR.. Larrigo's address
there was a number Of questions ask
ed regarding the work and the meet
ing closed with the singing Of "On-
ward Christian Soldiers" and the
by DR.. Phelps.