St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-11-13
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Fifth Annual Convention of the STATE
Christian Endeayor Union.

opened in the South church Tuesday
morning and closed in Music hall
last evening 1t was the most sue
cessful convention ever held by this
society and was attended by 30
delegates.
The meeting was opened in the
South church at 1870 O'Clock, Tues
day morning, with a devotional
service led by Charles E. Hayward
of St. .Johnsbury, who after reading
the scripture lesson from Matt: IA,
sage, and in closing urged the mem
bers of the society to renewed conse-
Grafton to the Masters work, dwell
ing upon the needs of prayer, alone,
in the family, and in union. Prayers
were offered by several members.
The singing from the Gospel Hymns
No 5, was led by Sec. E. N. Folsom
At11O'clock addresses of welcome
were made according to the pro-
gram. Preceding this President ].
w. Sault of St. Albans informed the
audience that never before in the his
tory of the Union were so many del
egates present at the first meeting of
Union gathering, as were present
that morning. They had felt that
there would be large gathering at
St. Johnsbury.
Rev. c. NJ Lamson in behalf of
the churches began his address of
welcome by calling attention to the
pronunciation of the words St.
Johnsbury, saying as the emphasis
was usually put On the first word,
this was of course an appropriate
place for a gathering of this kind.
He was glad to see the spirit Of
youth coming to the front, not SO
much in quantity as quality. New
qualities are constantly arising in
other governments, and also in the
church. The Christian Endeavor
society is the spirit of youth arising
and advancing; it appeals to work;
it points to the fruits; it lifts up
Christ's own texts. 1t is a great
society though only a few years old,
but there is no need to fear its mag
nitude The churches have given
YOU something do. This is our wei
come.
Secretary Folsom welcomed the
members first for what they were,
young men and young ladies with
definite ideas of their work; second,
for what they represented, the young
Christian people of Vermont, whose
1a1 to he
church which is becoming dependent
upon them, to others who are being
drawn away by adverse influences
third, for what they are doing, teach
ing the young people in the country
towns, who are more susceptible to
influence than those in the city. The
Y. M. c. A. has tried to do this but
has not had as much success; fourth,
for their inspiration and genuine
enthusiasm. In some places jealousy
exists between the different Christian
EndeavOr societies. Let there be
harmony here. Finally they are
always true to the church of God.
Miss Eva S. Burke in her address
of welcome for the home society said
the society of Christian Endeavor
ladder Of Christian service We are
soldiers with Christ as our captain.
We must put on the whole armour
of God, one fourth, one half, or even
three-fourths won't do, if we wish
to win in the battle. Without it we
cannot succeed. The past is gone,
the future is obscure, but the present
is ours. Let us do what we can. We
would like to keep you all, for we
need more; but if your work is else
where, ours is here and when YOU go,
our prayers go with you.
Mr.. Sault, at the commencement
of his response to the addresses of
welcome, asked the audience to sing
the hymn 'Blest be the tie tha binds, :"
after which he said: We apprecia te
these cordial greetings, from the
churches as from parent to child.
One clause in our pledge is '1oyalty
to the church and its interests. 5"
This should make us try to be more
loyal. We want to grow big in
work, not in pride. st. Johnsbury S
reputation is that of a wide awake
Y. NJ. c. A. community. We take
its welcome as from q stand of active
workers, whose line is outside our
line somewhat but Just as earnest.
We are glad the two organizations
travel their separate paths with such
close fellowship and happy results.
There is a distinction but no special
difference between the church and the
Y. NJ. c. A and the Christian
Endeavor; but from the Christian
Endeavor society of St. Johnsbury
we receive a special welcome as a
part of ourselves. The active inter
est in the St. Johnsburv societies
and the recent increase in member
ship indicate what the quality OF
this meeting is to be. The members
of the Christian Endeavor societies
have been looking forward to and
talking st. Johnsbury with sincere
interest We are confident that fruit
will grow from this meeting; that
this general commencing of Chris
tian fellowship will strengthen us all
| and our work.
Mr.. Sault then read the greeting
from the Christian Endeavor socie-
ties of Boone, Iowa, which was as
follows: "Iowa's 2O,OOO's greeting
to Vermont's societies, Well meet
you in Minnea polls" The secretary
was then authorized to respond to
the same with the scri pture reference
found in l Thess. 3: - and 13. 1t
was also voted to send a message ol
cOngratulatiOn to the Rev. George
Phelps of Gardner, Mass, formerly
of Vermont, who has recently been
elected president of the the Massa-
chusettS State Union.
Tuesday afternoon.