The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-06-28
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT.

In the winter of 1sS0-Sl a revival of
unusual magnitude gladdened the heart
of Rev. F. E. Clark, pastor Of the Will
liston church at Portland, Me. A sur
prisingly large proportion Of the con-
verts were young people, and the
church decided to adopt some especial
means to hold them within the fold.
On the evening OF February 2, DR..
Clark invited the young converts to
meet the young members OF the church
at his home. An hour was devoted to
social intercourse, and then tho pastor
read to the gathering constitution OF
society he had planned for them. The
name he had decided upon was the
"Willston Young Peoples Society OF
Christian Endeavor." Greatly to his
qualification and somewhat to his sur
prise, nearly all the young people signed
this constitution then and lived up to
it atterward.
The first name to be written on the
roll was that OF W. Fl. Pencil, teacher
OF large class Of young men in the
Williston Sunday school. Ever since.
that day he has been prominent in the
work. The value OF his services has
been recognized by his election three
times as president by the national COM
mittee.
THE wHoLE LAND WAS INTERESTED.
The first knowledge OF DR.. Clark's ex-
pertinent which was given to the world
was contained in an article entitled
GLOW One Church Cares for Its Young
People" published in Boston religious
paper in August, 1881. This article, and
others which followed II, brought hun
dreds OF inquiries from church workers
in all parts OF the country, and incredi-
bly, soon the inquiries bore fruit in the
establishment OF Christian Endeavor
societies in many churches. The second
one to be formed was in connection
with a Newburyport (Mass.) church,
Another early organization whose prime
mover has since done much in the cause
was that formed by Rev. G. A. Dickin-
son, then pastor Of the Second Parish
Church Of Portland, Me-, and now of
Berkeley Temple, Boston.
In writing OF the growth Of the idea
the founder OF the society says:
"Whenever ono Of the winged seeds Of
information was waited it usually took
root, and little Christian EndeaYor
plant was the result; or, as some one
wittily expressed it at national con-
yention: 1.-THE society was contagious
like the measles; il one church had it
the church next to it was pretty sure TO
catch it also."
THE ANNUAL CONVENTIONS.
The first annual convention was held
In the Williston church at Portland,
June2 1882. There were but six socie-
tics recorded then, with total mem-
bership OF 4Sl, Williston leading with
1853. All but one we're represented. At
this conference Mr.. Pennell was for the
first time chosen president.
The next annual convention was held
June Z, 1888, in the Second Parish
church at Portland. Five OF the fifty
three societies represented had been
organized in 1851, twenty-one in 1882,
ana twenty-seven in tho first I've
months OF 1883, showing what an
impetus the little convention OF the
wear before had given to the work.
Forty-one OF tho societies were in Now
Engiunu1 uVe III Neh AOAAb NuN 6AAV
others in various western states, a
pleasingly large one being located in
Oakland, Cal.
More than a year passed since the
third convention, which was hold in
the Kirk street church, Lowell, Mass,
October %, 1884. Ono hundred and
fifty delegates were in attendance. The
number Of societies had grown to 1866.
The next and perhaps the most inn
portant convention in the history Of the
work occurred'at Ocean Park, noar Old
Orchard Beach, Maine, July 0 and 10,
1885. The society had grown to Rmem-
bership OF II, S92 in 9S5 branches, and
the rapid increase gave rise 70 much
enthusiasm. Il was in this convention
the United Society OF Christian En-.
tloayor was formed and general secre-
tary was appointed at asalary Of 81 200.
raised by voluntary subscriptions on
the spot. Mr.. Van Patten was elected
president TO succeed Mr.. Pennell, who
had completed his third year Of service.
Atthis convention news was first otti-
cially received Of the spread Of tho idea
10 foreign lands. Societies were report
nj from Foochow, Honolulu and other