The morning call., 1891-07-10
4 MILLION MEMBERS.
The Young Peoples Society Of
Christian EndeaVOr.
Large Attendance al the Annual COnYen-
tion at Minneapolis.
Interesting Opening Services = Address Of
the President and Report Of the SeCre-
tary = Growth Of the Order.
special to THE MORNING CALI.

MINNEAPoLIs, July 9.-The great Con-
venton of the Young Peoples Society of
Christian Endeavor was called to order late
this afternoon. Addresses of Welcome
were made by Frank r. Daniels, Chairman
Of the Local Committee, Rev. r. G. French,
on behalf of the Minneapolis pastors, and
Rev. DR.. Robert Christie, for the pastors of
ST. Paul. John B. Elliott, local Secretary
OF the Y. NJ. C. A, concluded the addresses
of welcome.
The convention is the largest ever held by
Christian Endeavur societies and one Of the
largest religious conventions ever held.
Memb bers have been coming all the week
and still others are coming tonight. The
auditorium of the convention hall has been
beautifully decorated for the occasion. A
thousand seats for the chorus were banked
up back of the stage and L, coo seats for the
audience were on the main floor and in the
gallery. Fully 10000 persons were in the
hall when President Clark raped for order
this afternoon.
The convention began with a grand mass
chorus. singing, "All Hail the Power of
Jesus Name" The addresses of welcome
by the gentlemen named above were re-
spordrd to eloQuently by Rev. DR.. George
II. We lis of Montreal, who also extended an
invitation TO meet next year in Montreal.
At the evening session Rev. DR.. o. R.
Tiffany presided, and began the formal ses-
sion by having the twenty-third psalm re-
peated by an audience of 12,000, after which
Rev. L. G. Speare led in prayer. After a
song service the annual report of General
Secretary Baer OF Boston was read. from
which the following excerpts are taken:
INCREASE IN NJ EMBERsHIP.
One year ago the membership record
showed 11,0l3 societies, an increase over
the previous year of 3341. There are now
1924 societies regularly reported and from
across the water 307 are reported: there are
others not yet yeard from. England has Il
societies, Australia 50, India 80, Turkey Il
and China Z. In Canada there are 500 The
banner for the State, Territory or province
showing the largest percentage Of gain is
homa, British Columbia being second
The banner for tie greatest aggre-
gate gain goes TO Pennsylvania; that
State having gained G45 local societies dur
Ing the year. Great growth is reported in
junior organizations of which SO societies
reported. Illinois leading with 122. There are
four floating societies on United States men
of-war. Among the denominations the
Presbyterians have 1919 societies, Congrega-
tiOnalists 3545. Baptists 23Sl. Methods is
2068 and Christians Disciples sol. As to
the individual members the growth is
marvellous. At the convention of 1883 the
report showed 10000 members, in 1889 there
were 4S5, 900, in 1890 there were $4,000, and
now the societies have an aggregate IN em-
bershin of 1,00S $50 members. Ii is kuowu
that 30 S0A m hars nf the CnniatiaS bnya
become church members during the year.
Ira ID. Sankey, the famous evangelist
singer, sang Throw Out the Life Line"
after which President Clark was introduced
as Father EndesvOr Clark amid enthu-
siasm, and delivered his annual address.
FIDELITY AND FELLOWSHIP.
For his annual address President Clark
had chosen the topic Fidelity and Fellow
snip." He spoke first of the basis of the
| movement, and said that two elements that
pre-emiuently mark the history of society
are fidelity to the local church to which
each society aud member belongs. and the
| fellowship cemepted by common name,
| common vows and common methods of
| service-the fellowship that is eXempliied
! by this magnificent assembly. Fidelity and
! fellowship may win the world for Christ.
| The society from its birth had stood uiI-
swervingly for fidelity to the church of God
and the local church. Now, for n million
young hearts in thirty denominations in
every realm on the globe the day has come
| when Christian fellowship is an inspiring
| reality. The time has come, he thinks, not
| to simply accept in an easy-going way
| this inheritance, but to stand up for it
yes, to glory in it, as we glory in the cross
! OF Christ.
A SOURCE OF STRENGTH.
| He maintained that this is their duty, be-
cause every church will be stronger because
| of this fellowship. He believed it impos
| sible to es innate the value of sucn meet
ing as this. As well try to compute tn,
value of sunlight or the worth of dew, Of
| the commercial value of rain. This conveu
tion will never adjourn. This fellowship
| which these days of holy communion vii
cement, shall flow back in refreshing rills o
spiritual power to the churches in ever
| Stat- and Territory and province between
the TWO oceans, and even to churches acros
| the seas the electric thrill of this fellowship
will 60, and wherever it goes it will carr
strength and cheer. The united strength o
the common enemy demand that we oppos
to him the united strength of our common
fellowship. There are no sects in hell
Let not the children Of the pit be wiser thar
the children of light. President CLARK
deprecated not denominations, but the
spirit that would perpetuate differences and
promote Iivalries. In the name Christian
Endeavor" a common bond of union i
found. He pleaded for interdenominatioDa
and International fellowship of societies
because Christ commanded it and prave
for it.
A number of kilograms were read, amonl
them one from Bishop Vincent regrettin
his inability to be present, owing to Illness
Rev. DIR. Tiffany spoke on Christian unity