Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-05-01
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
My THE SOCIETY so CALLED IS
ADAPTED TO ALL CHRISTIAN WORK.

Young aud Gives Better Direction to
the Energies Of An--UtiIizing the En-
thusiasm Of Youth.
. What would he thought Of kings
soldiers who, while swearing that they
were loyal and true, We're unwilling TO
do their masters bidding, if they
should say, Number us in your army;
let us wear your uniform and he under
your protection, but do not ask us to
fight for you; do not ask us TO do any
thing by which we shall be known as
yoursl' Is not this the attitude of many
protesting Christians today II only
they can he under their kings protec-
ton they are utterly Indifferent about
doing his bidding. IL only Satan's
power over them is broken they seem
not to care for the multitudes who are
still under his CALLING yoke.
The church of Christ is to them a sort
of religious community where they may
be entirely Eat ease in Zion," where the
chief end" is rest and the enjoyment of
special advantages belonging only TO its
members, from which outsiders are de-
barred. II is Satan's peculiar delight 10
mislead men by errors which are half
truths. Just such one is this. God
certainly does give special privileges and
blessings 10 his own people, but he calls
them by these very privileges to special
duties. Royal honors bring royal re-
sponsibilitics." Pure religion before
God" is not only "to keep unspotted from
| the world" but "to visit the widow and
fatherless in their affection"
Here is shown the dual nature of
| Christianity, active as well as passive,
both necessary to the symmetrical de-
/ velopment of character as well a. for the
evangelization of the world. Can one be
/ truly Christ's and ignore either? But
not always should the blame rest entire
| ly on individuals. Too often "a part of
| il, at least. belongs 10 the church which
fails to properly shepherd" the flock.
/ Ii seems 10 consider all duty done when
a soul is brought TO Christ and to the
| church.
Many young Christian left 10 him
self sins ignorantly, not knowing how Or
what TO do. Said one such in my hear
| ing, when first converted would have
/ gone through fire TO bring "a soul 10
/ Christ, but left 80 long inactive | have
/ grown Indifferent" Said another, de-
. ploring his GOODNESS of heart, When
| first knew the love of Christ felt that
/ | must stop people in the street to tell of
him; | do not feel so now" And an
| other, Il wanted TO work for the Mas
ter, but was SO young and ignorant |
did not know how. and no one told me
what 10 do
This failure 90 develop and train
young disciples, together with the sup
preston Of the voices of Christian WON
en-. has forced a vast power for good to
lie dormant in the very midst of the
church Thank God that she now be-
gins TO realize these two errors, and that
this age, characterized as it is by prog
ress in every direction, is especially re-
markable for the advance made by the
church in these very hnes-an advance
which is already telling powerfully on
her religious life.
Prominent in this movement-perhaps
at its head-stands the Society for Chris
tian EndeayOr, which seems exactly
fitted to meet these two needs in the
church. The Sunday school has always
been power among the children, but
from its very nature can do its own work
only. IL the young people begin TO feel
"too old" for Sabbath school, and no
place is made for them in the church,
they will surely drift away from both.
Between the two stands the Christian
Endeavor society-not TO take the place
of either, not To release from RESPONSE
bility TO either but as "A link binding the
one TO the other, and aiming to bring the
young into touch with both Christ and
his church.
To those who do not know Him il
says with winning voice, Come thou
with us and we will do thee good" To
those who have found him it calls at
time when they are most willing TO lis
ten, and furnishes To all young people
not only opportunity TO work for the
Master. but training rs well. Through
association with enthusiastic leaders,
which of itself is an education, it gives
10 beginners in Christian life an impulse
and inspiration which will fit them TO
be in their turn blessings to others. The
society's motto, For Christ and the
InuICn, Is lilt oilIN bdllit cry WHICH,
can rally to its standard Christians the
world over, of whatever name. Well
may it be described as ''interdenomina-
tional," strengthening rs it does the
bond of union between different demon
nations, while it stimulates to increased
loyalty to ones own.
1t promotes activity i'll all branches of
Christian work. 1t must, because its
one aim is to bring the whole world TO
Christ, and none can enlist under its
banner, live up to its pledge and re-
main drone This very pledge 10 do
whatever Christ would have us do"
prompts us TO search for more outlets
for our love, and quickens our ability to
see and seize the opportunities which lie
ut our doors. The enthusiasm of youth |
fed by love to Christ and held steadily
by duty has a wonderful power in serv-
ice Add 10 it a constantly increasing
knowledge Of the needs of the world
and how TO meet them, and there is an
l., ,,ouar which 10 obSnlutaIv