The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-17
CHRISTIAN kNDEAYOR.

Amazing Spread of tho MOyement-What
ItHAs Accomplished.
Philadelphia Press.
No union movement since Christian.
ity has developed It's varied denomina.
tional features, has swept over the
churches and congregations with such
amazing force and rspidity as that
which is known as "the Society Of
Christian Endeayor." It has been only
q few years in existence, yet at the be-
ginning OF this year there were 1905
local societies, with a membership az.
gregsting 500, 1000, representing no less
than thirty.two evangelical denomina-
tions. The Presbyterians lead with
5000 local societies. The Congrega.
tionalists, whose precise figures We can
not give, stand numerically second.
The Baptists come next, having $500 60
cieties, whilst the fourth on the List are
the Methodists, with 1000 organizations.
The aggregate figures presented above
ara known az the headquarters in Bos.
ton. They do not adequately show the
whole force OF the movement, since there
are doubtless hundreds Of local societies
that have been organized whose exist
ence has not been reported. The in-
crease ia still going on, 500 new societies
being reported during the month Of JAN
uary, and since then the growth has
averaged about 100 q week; in fact, the
increase was never so large as in the be.
ginning Of this year. The truth is, the
pastors aud churches Of all denomina-
tons have felt for many years the necee-
sity for some such organization among
the young people as would engage them
heartily in church work under church
supervision, and at the same time de-
Velop young decipies in. the Christian
life, and utilize the forces which the
young can command.
The independent working associations,
formerly at work, had very largely
failed OF their object. "How to reach
and hold the young people" was prob
lem that appeared to be measurably
solved by the Society OF Christian En-
deayer," hence 1t was that this move
ment was 30 warmly welcomed and is
yet having such marvellous growth.
But now, in the very midst OF this ap.
parent usefulness, there are elements at
work that threaten the very lie OF the
society. Distinctive denominational
tenetS have, Of course, to be ignored in
this movement whenever the general
meetings are held; for whilst each local
society Is under the auspicies OF local
church, yet 1t is also auxiliary to the
general society, which has its stated
meetings in all communities and reports
to the general secretary. This commin9-
ling OF local societies on an undenomi.
national basis, which has been one Of the
stimulating features of the work, has
given rise among the Churches to a feel.
ing that the resources oil the young are
diverted from the home Church, the op.
por.unity for giving denominational in
struction is not given, and come Of the
peculiar doctrines regarded as Of such
importance as to justify the existence Of
a distinct denomination are not pre-
sented and emphasized as they should
be. The leaders Of Church thought and
action are not satisfed with the results
which already appear. Phey sec in the
young people a disposition to hold de.
nominational views loosely, and they
predict that this tendency will work
mischief sooner or later. The Metho.
dists, who were quick to discern this
possible danger, commenced at once TO
organize their young people under de.
nominstional banner known as the "Ep.
werth League" Already over 1900
such societies have been formed, and
the movement promises to swallow up
every Endeayor Society found In their
communion.
The Presbyterians have started their
Westminster Societies" AS yet they
have had slow growth and are confined
almost entirely to the West. The Bap.
lists are moving in similar direction,
and appear to be only waiting for "a tax.
ing name under WHICH TO rally their
forces. The withdrawal 9Lthese denomi.
nations from the RndeaVoe Society mgst
have It's influence Oh those that remain,
since the manifest tendency Of such
Withdrawals is in the direction OF the
disinteeration OF the whole body.
There is clearly cause for alarm among
the friends Of the Society OF Christian
Endeayor. II It is best for denonina'
tional fences to be kept up, them these
Withdrawals should be encouraged, and
new organizations within domiinattonal
lines be- perfected; 10 very many, bow:
ever, it has appeared exceedingly beau
tiful to see the young disciples Of various
names working harmonioasiy under the
banner, having q common aim, and get
sing breadth Of views by contact with
l ~ a.laH