The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-05-25
7, P, s. Q, L. At 0atawissa.
Filth Bi.County Convention Remarkable
Growth Increasing Interest Eiey-
en- New Societies IN Six Mcn.hs
S263.7i Raised Fer
Missions.

The fifth convention of the Christian
Endeavor Societies Of Montour and
Columbia counties was held in Cata
wissa Reformed church on Friday,
May II. One bundled nine delegates
registered, representing fifteen socie.
ties, and the sessions, both afternoon
and evening, were interesting and we'll
attended. The congregational singing,
under the direction of DR.. Graydon, was
inspiring, and the exercises throughout
were rendered interesting and often
impressive by the vocal selections Of
the Misses Dechant and Strok and
DR.. and Mrs. Ora, don. Several well
rendered selections by the orchestra OF
the Bloomsbury Lutheran church dur
ing the evening session and the recep
ton were much appreciated.
The afternoon session opened with
devotional exercises conducted by
Miss Sue l.. Dechant of Catawissa.
Then came an eloquent address of
welcome by Rev. X. f. Butz and the
response, full of practical thought and
suggestion, by Pres. Richardson, Of
Berwick.
Mr.. B. F. Armstrong, General Secre.
tary of the Bloomsbury Y. M. G. A.,
by clear statement and apt illustration.
showed the essential importance OF
Bible study. Christian growth must be
from the centre out, like the building
of the temple--frst the altar, repre-
senting communion with God, as we
attain it in the study of His word (;
then the construction Of the temple
building, representing active service
and, lastly, the walls surrounding the
temple, or separation from the world.
In order to work efficiently in building
the spiritual temple, we must first have
Bible study.
The program provided next for a
conference on the c. f. Prayer meet
ing under two heads. The first, How
10 Prepare for it, was opened by Rev.
c. NJ. Aurand, of Berwick. He thought
the leader should first acquaint him.
self thoroughly with the subject, make
brief remarks himself and ask before
hand a few Others 10 prepare short
talks. He should select and assign to
members several texts and readings
relating to the subject. The audience
should come in spiritual frame of
mind, bring Bibles with them, and be
accustomed to finding texts quickly.
The second division of the subject,
How to Conduct the Prayer-meetlng,
was opened by Miss Dora Breeze, of
Bloomsburg, with an excellent paper
in which she suggested that the leader
should know in advance that he is to
lead the meeting, SO that he may have
time for prayer over and study of the
subject. He should have a plan in
view for conducting the meeting, but
no stereotyped form, fully depending
on the Holy Spirit, and yielding to
Him the real leadership, thinking the
while. "This is Thy meeting use Thy
servant as Thou seest best" The lead
er should show by his manner that he
is enthused with the subject. Have
much singing. Aim to kave each men,
Der take part. All prayer should be
voluntary on the part of members, and
do not undertake to have prayer
NEE ing without prayer. The discuss
ion of this topic emphasized the i'm
portance of avoiding a rut by getting
up something new for each prayer
meeting.
Rev. P. A. Heilman, of Bloomsbury,
gave a very helpful address on the c.
+. Pledge. Since God has given us so
many thousand promises we should be
willing to give Him the few named in
our pledge If we love the Word we
will enjoy reading it. God never wear
les of our prayers, no matter how Oft
repeated.
The nominating committee named
the following, who were unanimously
elected officers for the ensuing year ;
Pres. , ]. d. Howery, Hanville I; V. p,
Horace Breeze, Berwick; Sec'y, Miss
Sue l.. Dechant, Catawissa Treas. ,
Chas. f. Kesty, Bloomsburg. The re-
commentator of the committee, that
silver and moss green be selected for
the streamer to represent our union
on the state colors, was also approved
and Misses Breeze and Bo5enrief were
appointed a committee to obtain them.
The roll call of the union was res
ponded to by fifteen societies with in,
teresting reports Of work done and
progress made the last six months
The successful session Of the after
noon closed with the benediction by
Rev. G. B. Dechaat.
For the evening session the church
was crowded, many standing and
others going away unable to obtain ad-
mission. After an excellent praise sew
vice, conducted by DR., Graydon, in
his usual efficient manner, Rev. ]. |,
Good OF Reading delivered the address
of the evening, urging upon the socle