Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-23
LIVE SPEECHES
AT Banquet Of Laymen's
Federation
Portland the Speskers-Thomas c.
i%ngraham Elected President to Sue
coed Ernest L. Mclean

E~iehty-hve of Augustus leading
business and professional men, for the
most part members Of the organiza-
ton, gathered last evening at the an
nual banquet of the Laymen's Fedora
ton of this city, held in the assembly
hall at the Y. NJ. {. A. building At
the close of the banquet, which was
presided over by Ernest l.. Mclean.
the retiring president of the Fedora
ton, they listened to two Impressive
addresses dealing with the purposes
and possibilities pf their organization
and of the church. The speakers were
Gov. MiIliken and DIR. Arba John
Marsh of Portland.
At the business session which fol-
lowed the speaking new officers were
elected as follows: President, Thomas
c. Ingraham; secretary, James F. Bag
ley: w. s. Wilson; vice pres
idents. Hiram +. Ordway. Josiah Tay-
Tor. Melvin S. Holway and r. Is. Her
rick. Rev. William r.. Woods, after
paying a tribute to Mr.. McLean's eff
fective service as head of the Fedora
ton. moved a rising vote of thanks
for the retiring presidents effective
efforts. The vote was unanimous.
Governor MiiIiken
After commencing the past
, and accomplishments of the Fedora
ton. Gov. Milliken said that in the
present emergency every undertaking
Of the organization should be tested as
to whether or not it helps or binders in
the carrying out of the great task in
which the country is engaged.
We now that hundreds of thou
sands ave volunteered, and that we
are drafting hundreds tf thousands
more to fight, and, if necessary. to die
for democracy. I'd like to have YOU
ask yourselves the question Is what
we call democracy worth asking men
to die for" | don't know that be-
cause it's called democracy we are JUS
tilted in assuming that it's worth ask
ing men to die for, In Russia what
they call democracy is one of the
greatest perils of the war The atroci-
ties of the Turks against the Armen-
ans are engineered by Germans who
call themselves Christians. If we look
haCk over the past 20 years I don't
know that we shall be Justified in say
ing that what we have been calling
democracy is worth dying for"
Governor Milliken said that the
problem now confronting those who
must remain at home is to make sure
that the character Of community life
is made such thai democracy shall he
safe for the world. On whether or not
this task is accomplished depends not
only the answer to the question of
whether or not democra " is worth
dying for but also the very existence
Of the nation. he said.
In considering what is to be the part
of the church 10Y Milliken expressed
encouragement over the facts that de-
nominationalism is now subordinated
and that men are coming to realize
that the work of the church Is a mans
job.
The church Is learning more than
ever before" said the Governor, THAT
1t is connected with whatever has to
do with the lives OF men, wherever
they may he and whatever they NAV
h doing
Or. A. J. Marsh
pr. Marsh declared that the present
IS a critical time for the church. De
mocracy-human ~liberty-that the
world is fighting for today is a pro-
duct of religion and the church of ,Je-
sns Christ" he said. THE nation is
depending on the church today as new
or before. Shall we lie down or make
Sood?"
Two things that the church needs
! are power n mechanism. said the
speaker-the mechanism 10 control tho
power. Stating that there are lust
half as many men as women in the
church. DR.. Marsh said that the mascu-
line element has been left out of the
church. "A good deal OF PREACHING
has been addressed TO women and has
the feminine tone" he added. That
mel are o~verpowered by temptations
to which women are not so much
exposed under the protection OF the
homc-and that they are overwhelmed
by material interests, were reasons
mentioned as causes of the absence of
men from the church.
J Urging the need 10 Join hands" Or
Marsh expressed pleasure because Of
the fact that theological questions are
heing thought of in a different wav
than formerly. "We're taking down
the picket fences between our church
es today he said.
Organization is an element that has
heen left out of the Christian church.
according to DR.. Marsh. "Politicians,r
ne said, can afford to ignore the
Christian church. but II the eight or
10 million people associated with the
church will organize the stand behind
| something. We can have anything We