The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-24
CHRISTIAN NDEAVoR SOCIETY,
Something About the Growth OF the
movement.

An event which is just upon us is the cele-
bration in this city of the Decennial Annia
yersary of the Christian Endeavor Society,
February I'd. Sd and 4th
Ia the winter 1SSO-S1, a revival visited the
Willtston church of this city. Inc pastor OF
the church invited the recent converts as
well as the young church members TO MS
house on the evening of February 2, 1881, and
presented constitution OF the winston
Young PEOPLES Society of CHRISTIAN En-
deayor. This constitution is essentially the
sans as that adopted by the great majority
of the Societies of Christian EndeaVor at the
present day.
The first knowledge of this experiment
given to the world was contained in an ar
ticle published In the Congregationaiist, OF
Boston, In August, 1881, entitled how one
Church Cares For Its Young People" One
of the first pastors to introduce this system
of Christian nurture among his young people
was Rev. G. A. Dickinson, then pastor OF the
Second Parish Church, of Portland.
The first President of the United Society,
wasiM. J. Van Patten of Burlington. vt.
So far as careful search reveals, the dis
tinctive features of the Christian Endeavor
movement are the strict prayer meeting
pledge, the conservation meeting, the roll
call, the variety of committee work. The
duties of these committees are characteristic
of this organization alone.
One of the first developments of the new
work was naturally in theiline of ANIMAL coz
ventions. The first of these conferences was
held June q 1882. in the Williston church
There were but six societies recorded then
though doubtless there were others which
were not then known to the conference. In
these six societies were 4Sl members, the
Willlston Society leading off with 1853.
The next annual conference was also held
In this city in the Second Parish church, re-
presenting fitty-three societies with $3.50
members.
After this convention the society grew
rapidly and steadily, but did not call al
other national convention until October %,
1884, when it convened at Kirk street church,
Lowell. the church of which Rev. @. A.
Dickinson had become pastor, and repre-
sented 151 societies with 6,414 members.
The next national convention convened
July 9th and 10th at Ocean Park near Old
Orchard Beach.
Headquarters of the United Society were
established at No. 8 Beacon street, Boston,
but were soon removed to more commodious
rooms at No. so Bromfield street. In the
summer of 1887 at the Saratoga convention,
Rev. +. E. Clark was chosen president of the
United Society and editor Of the Christian
Endeavor literature, position which he ae
cepted in the following autumn, resigning
the pastorate of Phillips church. South Bos-
ton, to accept the position.
The seventh convention held in Battery d,
Armory hall, Chicago, ILL.,, July 9th, 9Th, 7th
and 8tb, 1888. was a remarkable gathering,
over $500 delegates were present from thirty
three states and territories, Germany, Tur-
key. Canada, Ontario. Quebec and Nova
Scotia,
The ninth annual convention was held in
the Exposition Building. Music hall. st.
Louis, Mo-, June 18th, 18th, 14th and 18th,
1880. and surpassed all others. Over 5000
delegates were present from thirty-seven
states, territories and Provinces.
Eleven thousand and thirteen societies
with membership of 100000 were reported
June l, 1890, and since that time they have
increased with even more wonderful rapid
ity. Portland may we'll be proud of being
the birthplace of such movement and Port
land "Endeavorers" will gladly welcome the
msny visitors from the east and from the
west who will come to enjoy the feast pre-
pared to celebrate this tenth anniversary.