It had painted pews without cushions, and no pulpit, properly speaking, but it had a platform.

On the platform sat the chairman, and by his side sat a man who held a manuscript in his hand and had the waiting look of one who is going to perform the principal part.

The church was soon filled with a quiet and orderly congregation of decently dressed and modest people.
This is what the chairman said: "The essayist for this evening is an old member of our club whom you all know, Mr.

Parker, assistant editor of the Daily Democrat.

The subject of his essay is the American Press, and he will use as his text a couple of paragraphs taken from Mr.Matthew Arnold's new book.