The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-09-01

Penobscot. 16 Knox i
Cumberland. ....... IA Kennebec. ............4
York.. ....... I'll Washington ..........7
Androscoggin. ....... Q Somerset. So. 2
Aroostook ............ 8 Lincoln %
Frank n--.. 3 oxford. =. "a. 2
Hancock. 5 iSagadahOc -...l
WalQ0.-.. III
The first Junior society was formed in
St. Lawrence St. church, Portland, in
1887. The largest is now in Brewer, and
numbers 100 memb ers. The need of the
future is that ALL the counties should
have special superintendent. Now
only Cumberland county is thus supplied
but in no other way can the work be
better advanced.
Mr.. Foss then introduced Mrs. Alice
May Scudder, of New Jersey, as one who
had been heard before, and whom all
would be glad to hear again on the sub
ject Of Junior Societies. Mrs. Scudder
said that Junior Endeavor is her hobby,
and that no question today perplexes
parents more than the training of child
rem. No one can foretell the future of any
child. There seems to be no law by
which Satan chooses his favorites, yet
neglect will make child an easier prey.
want to speak for the law of prevention
Nowadays physicians give their atten-
ton to prevention of disease. AS it is
with the physical, SO it is with the
spiritual dangers of child, Instead of
excessive attention to those sunk deep
in sin, let us ward off the disease germs
from the young. We must make the
children ready to combat evil. AS par
ents are careless of the physical so they
neglect the spiritual tone of their child
rem. 1t is our duty to gather them into
our Junior Endeavor Societies, tone
them up ere spiritual death ensues.
There is not always spiritual food for
children in the home. They are too
young to be capable of receiving it in
the church service. It is tiresome, and
when old enough to do as they please
they go to church no more. The food is
too dry for them. But the most import
ant consideration is the training of child
rem in Christian work. Food must be-
come energy or else it is wasted. Moth
ing is more true than that Satans finds
work for idle hands to do. If the boys
and girls are totbe saved they must be
taught religious work 1t is just for this
purpose that Junior Endeavor meetings
are held, and nothing that has existed in
the church in times past can be substi-
tuted for it. We teach the children to
pray and to lead meetings. Such devel-
opment is not possible in Sunday service
norsin the Sunday school. Enter, then,
dear friends, upon your work with joy,
for you are preparing the little ones for
life, both here and beyond.
Rev. Ut. Beckley, DID,, of Philadel-
phia, was introduced as one of the lead
ers of Christian Endeavor Junior work
in the country. He arose to conduct the
open parliament on Junior work. He
declared that Junior work is placed first,
because it has been the weak point in
Professionalism. The Sunday school
teaches the children to be good, the
Junior Society teaches them to be good
for something's That is the difference.
Our business is to make the church
service attractive to children. 1t is be-
ginning at the wrong end to make child
rem go to church. Don't compel, but
win, fascinate. How shall we do it? Set
the child to help you. That pleases him.
DR.. Beckley then asked for reports from
the different societies which were re-
sponded to from different parts of the
housesby visitors, who all reported that
their Junior work was proving success
full. There was much discussion and sug-
gestion as to best methods in thus
training the little ones to understand
and to keep the Christian Endeavor
pledge :, Some thought it better for the
children to go along for awhile before
taking the pledge, until they can under
stand it. A lady from Connecticut said
that her experience had taught her that
if Junior Endeavor is to live it must
have the pledge first. DR.. Beckley de-
clared that in Philadelphia F, where there
has been the best n success. ins Junior
Endeavor in the world, it has proved
that the pledge is necessary for success.
1t is simple pledge, simply to promise
to endeavor to be Christian. The gen.
eral sentiment was that the pledge is nee
essary. Mr.. James C.Wilson, of Deering
State Missionary of Congregational
churches, declared that the first thing
he does is to form a Junior Society,
and to begin to do that by the use of the
pledge.
: The forenoon's exercises closed with
the convention sermon by Rev. 7. S. Sam
son, of the Free St. Baptist. church,
preached from the text, John, 4th chap
ter, 34th verse: My s.meat is to do the
will of him that sent me, and finish his
work. 1t was an able effort impress
lively delivered.
Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session was opened by
devotional exercises led by Mr.. l.. G..
March, secretary of the Y. M. G. A. at
Rockland. The first address of the after
noon was by Rev E. B. Stilson on "The
Sword of the Spirit. Mr.. Stilson spoke
of the Bible as the great weapon ITO be
used at all times to overcome temptation
and drive out sin; also the most power