The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-10
The Great Mass Convention Of Chris
tian Endeavor Societies at
Minneapolis.
One of the Most Notable Religious
Bodies of the Present
Year
Gratifying Growth Of the Society -Presi-
dent Ciarix's Address on 'FIdeiity
and wship"-Iteports.

tian Endeavor was called to order late this
afternoon. Addresses of welcome were
made by Frank Il. Daniels, chairman of the
local committee; Rev. Il. Il. French, on
behalf of Minneapolis pastors, and Rev.
DR.. Robart Christie, for the pastors OF st.
Paul. John b. Elliott, local secretary of
the Y. M. @. A., concluded the addresses of
welcome. Ths convention is the largest
ever held by Christian Endeavor societies,
and one of the largest religious conventions
ever hold. Advancing hosts had been COM
ing all week and still others are coming to-
night. The auditorium of Convention hall
had been beautifully decorated for the
occasion. Thousands of seats for
the chorus were banked up back
of the stage and 1900 seats for the
audience were on the main floor and in
the gallery. Fully 10000 persons were IN
tho hall when President Clark raped for
order this afternoon. The convention be-
gan with grand mass chorus singing, "All
Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" Addresses
of welcome by the gentlemen named above
were responded to eloquently by Rev. DIR.
George Wells, of Montreal, who also ex-
| tended an invitation to meet next time In
Montreal.
| For his annual address, President Clark
had chosen the topic, Fidelity and Fellow
ship" He spoke first Of the basis of the
movement and said the two elements that
pre-eminently mark the history of the So
| ciety are fidelity to the local church to which
each society and member belongs, and
fellowship cemented by common
name. common vows and common methods
of service. a fellowship that is exemplified
by this magnificent assembly. Fidelity and
fellowship may win the world for Christ.
The socisty from its birth has stood un-
swervinsly for fidelity to the church of
| GOD and tho local church. Now, for mil
lion younR hearts in thirty denominations
in every realm on the globe, the day has
como when Christian fellowship is nm inspi-
ration. Tho time has come. he thinks. not
to simply accept 1t in an easy going way,
this inheritance, but to stand for 1t, yes,
to gloy in il az ws glory in the cross OF
Christ. Ho maintained that this is their
duty. becauze every church will be stronger
because of this fellowship. He be-
leved it impossible to estimate the
value of such a meeting as this. As we'll
try to compute the value of sunlight or
worth of dew, or commercial value Of rain.
This convention will never adjourn. This
Fellowship. which these days Of holy COM
munion will cement, shall flow back in re-
freshln9 rills of spiritual power to churches
in every state and territory and province
between ths two oceans, and even to
churches ACROSS the seas the electric thrill
of this fellowship will go, and wherever 1t
goes, it will carry strength and cheer. The
united strength of common enemy de-
msnds TINT We oppone TO him the united
are no scots in hell. Let not the children
Of the nit be wiser than the children OF
light.
President Clark deprecated, not denomi-
nations, but the spirit that would perpetu-
ate differences and promote rivnlries. In
bond of union is found. He pleaded for
inter-denopinational and international
fellowship Of societies because Christ COM
mendsd II and prayed for 1t.
At the evening session Rev. DR.. o. r.
Tiffany presided and began the formal ses-
peated by the audience of 1900, after
which Rev. l.. q. 6prare led in prayer.
After long service the annual report OF
General Secretary Baer, of Boston, was
read.
One year ago the membership record
showed l,o3l societies, an increase over
the previous year of 3,3i1. There are now
1924 societies regularly reported. From
across the water 307 are reported, and there
are others not yet heard from. England
mas tWelV0 SoCletleS; AuSbraIlu, elEuty-
two; India, thirty; Turkey, twelve,
and China, seven. In Can
> ada there are s29. The banner for the
> state, territory or province showing the
greatest percentage of gain is awarded to
the territory OF Oklahoma, British Colum'
bin being second. The banner for the
GREATEST aggregate gain goes to Pennsyl
vania, that state having gained
64b local societies during tho year
Great growth 10 reported in the junior or
ganizAtions, of which S55 societies are re-
ported, Illinois leading with 100. There
are four floating societies on United States
men-of-var. Among the denominations
the PresbY torians have 4,019 societies. Con
! greeationalists 3.545. Baptists 1881, Metho-
. dlsta 2O6S. and Christians (DiGciples) S01
As to individual members the growth II
marvellous. At the convention Of 1883 tho
report showed 310.O 900 mombers, in 1873!
thcre wers 4s5, 900, in 1890 there were $780,
COO. and now the socetiss have nm hggre-
gate Of 1,00S.600 members. II is known
that 81, 800 nlombers of societies have be,
come church members within the year.
Ira ID. SRnkey, famous evangelist singer,
sang Throw Out the Life Line" A num-
bor OF kilograms were read, among then
one from Bishop Vincent, reeretting hi.
= inability to DO present owing to illness
,, Rev. DIR. Tiffany spoke ON Christian unity,
and after the singing of Ninety and Nine
by Sanhey, the evening session closed.
Race Against Ruin.
KANSAS CITY, July Geo. w. Howell,