Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-08-12
Reliaioa1s department.
Christian L ndeavor.

Last week at Philadelphia there
was held. we are told, s'the largest
religious convention in the history of
Christianity. Possibly this may be
an exaggerated statement, but it was
certainly very notable gathering,
and illustrates what can be done by
a large and powerful organization
It was the annual meeting of repre-
sentatives of the Christian Endeavor
Societies of the evangelical churches.
The history and growth of this body
are well worth study. In Willis
ton Church, Portland, Me-, in 1881
the first society was formed. At the
close of the year there were two,
with membership of less than
hundred. Four years later, the So
cieties had increased to two hundred
and fifty-three, with membership
of nearly eleven thousand. At the
ope ming of the Eight Annual Con-
vention last week, seven thousand
six hundred and fifty societies re-
ported, with membership of over a
half million. Representative came
from all parts Of the United States,
Canada, and various European ma
lions, including Turkey. The meet
in @ of such body could not fail to
generate intense enthusiasm. Ar
mory Hall was packed to overlooking.
The Philadelphia press, by full dali
" reports, gave the convention a
widespread advertisement. Cores
pondents from far and near sent
through the mail to the village and
CITY their letters, in which they de-
scribe in glowing phrase the proceed
ings, and say that for enthusiastic
earnestness this convention is unsur-
| passed in modern times. The Post
master G eneral came from Washing
ton with his words of encouraS ement.
The President sent a special message.
For three days, the convention kept
to it's work. Bishops, ministers,
laymen, and laywomen kept the fire
burning to white heat, Two-min-
ute reports were made by the dele
gates, giving in rapid survey the
number of societies and members and
the work done. From these, we
learn that New York leads in the
list, with it's one thousand three hum
dred and eighty-seven societies.
The Old Bay State fell into line next
with seven hundred and forty-two.
When we take in view the nature
and extent of this organization, we
can see what powerful agency it is
and how widespread is its influence.
1t is force to be used distinctly and
designedly to advance the interests
of stevangelical" Christianity. II
reaches the young, and aims to train
them up in the spirit and doctrines
of the popular churches.
Instead of criticising this move.
ment. cannot Unitarians learn some.
thing from it? We see here what {
mighty power can be welded by al
effective and widespread organic
alton. 1t would be wholly foreign
from the spirit and ideas for which
we stand to attempt an exact copy O
this association. But may we not
by the more general organization o
the young of our churches in associ
ated action, add to the growth ant
strength of these churches? This i
one of the needs of the hour. N
minister who desires to have living
working church can close his eyes t.
the Importance of bringing into us
the Young of his parish and of max
ing them practical workes. n
member of the Unitarian parish VIII
has at heart its prosperity and growt
can be Indifferent to the importanc
of such associated action. If it
, desirable to have churches, it is de
sirable that they should become sourc
es of power and influence. To gai
this, we must use those means whic
universal experience has proved ar
necessary. The coming of the king
dom of God on earth and among mel
can best be FASTENED by combine
and associated action Christad
Register.