Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-11-08
BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT ANDREW
"FoR CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH,

II ~-Ac~A Va ~. 0nuIcW WAS uciO IN LQ6 ClCV OF
Washington, commencing on Thursday, Oc
tober 11th, ami closing on the following
Sunday. The actual work Of the con yentioD
was preceded on Wednesday by day of in
Struction and devotion at Christ Church,
Georgetown, conducted by Bishop Hall Of
Vermont, at which several hundred men,
who were so fortunate as to have the time
and opportunity, made quiet spiritual
preparation for the succeeding days The
business Of the convention was of course
completed on Saturday afternoon, leaving
the Lords Day in its turn to crown the days
with its spiritual round of services and de-
votiOns. Thus the convention began and
ended with that intense spirituality which
indeed marked its whole progress.
The meetings Of the convention were held
in Metzerott's Music Hall and its adjacent
rooms until Sunday afternoon when Conyen
tion Hall was occupied by an assemblage Of
over six Thousand people The principal
services were held at the Church Of the
Epiphany, with Celebrations of the Holy
and on Sunday in almost every church 10
the city some part taken in the great devo.
tions Of the day.
The writer purposes to give summarized
report Of this remarkable gathering, assum
ing that it will be read with interest not
only by the members of the Church of which
the Brotherhood is part, but by all Chris
tlan people who will be glad to learn OF
what is veritably a new era in the progress
Of Christianity among young men. The
elders who are among us will acknowledge
that it is new thing for young men 10
great numbers or very pub licly to speak
for Christ and His Church" TheologiaDs
OF the highest standing are more than will
ing to admit that they have been instructed
by the clear thinking and eloquent speech
of young laymen on the platforms of the
Brotherhood conventions. In whatever
cities these have been held t1ey have
brought the Brotherhood to touch with the
widest development of municipal and re-
ligious life by the exchange of friendly
greetings and courtesies with municipal
authorities, with the Young Mems Christian
Association, the great Society Of Christian
Endeavor, the Brotherhood of Andrew and
Philip, the Daughters of the King, the Kings
Daughters, and other similar organizations
For the information of some, the write
begs to be allowed to give brief account Of
the rise and progress of the Brotherhood
of Saint Andrew. Like all great things
it had small beginning, as broad, rushing
river may come from tiny spring at the
root of an oak tree The Brotherhood began
ten years ago with Bible Glass tor young
men in st. James Parish. Chicago, taught by
Mr. James L. Houghteling, whom the Broth
erhOod has ever since resolutely b Id in his
honored place as its President Their de-
vout teacher asked those young men to pray
daily for the success of the class, and to
strive to bring other young men into it.
Thus was established the rule of prayer and
service which forms the simple platform Of
the Brotherhood upon which it has never
since enlarged by SO much as a plank or a
splinter. It's simplicit has been and is its
power. Whatever rules are necessary foI
the practical working Of the General Counci
which has it's headquarters in the Church
Missions House in New York City, or OF
local chapters in many parishes and places,
the whole Guimus of the Brotherhood at
large is expressed in its motto "For Christ
and His Church )" and the whole genius Of
its organization is concentrated in these two
rules: First, 70 pray daily for the spread OF
Christ's Kingdom among young men. Sec
ond, to make an earnest effort each week to
bring at least one young man within hear
ing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its name
sets for it the method of man to man work
which it is to do after the example of An
drew, who sought his brother Simon and
brought him to Christ.
One Of the most remarkable things in its
history is the irmness with which it has
resisted all efforts to divert its simple pur-
pose, or make it in any sense social club,
or beneficial society, or parish guild, or any
thing but that which its name implies Its
official organ is the Saint AndrelCs Cross. q
paper issuirg monthly from the New York
headquarters of the Brotherhood, and ac-
knowledged by all its readers to be eharac-
terized by the highest editorial ability ard
most jealous devotion to its great cause
From so small beginning the Brotherhood
has now in good standing thirteen Thousand
members in nearly a Thousand Chapters
scattered over the length and breadth Of this
land, with branch of several thousand
members in Canada, and another in Scotland
Both the latter were represented at the con-
ventioD, and among its delegates were also
imbered three full blooded Sioux Indisns,
one son Of the famous Chief, Sitting Bull
If the reader at any time sees in a mans
coat button with red st. Andrews cross
in the form of the letter X woven upon its
face, or a red enamel and gold pin of the
same design, he may know it as the author
lied badge Of the Brotherhood. 1t has been
the means of many pleasant wayside recog.
niti0ns and of much valuable information
given in answer to questions; and 10 many
Chapters fine is imposed for neglecting to
wear it.
Methods of work differ according to places
and circumstances, but as nearly as possible
are kept in harmony with the general idea
Of the Brotherhood. There are many Broth
eThood Bible Glasses, some of them in large
cities notable for their power. Hospitality
committees are at work everywhere, not only
to make people welcome at church services
but to render the smallest details of service
to men who are strangers, for their comfort
and safety. Brotherhood boarding houses
are maintained. Many Brotherhood lay
readers maintain the services of the Church
in city and country missions. Foreign mis-
sions are aided by the Brotherhood Visit
ing. committees are represented in thousands
of homes of sickness and need, hospitals,
reformatories and prisons Brotherhood
literature is widely dispensed Thousands
Of Sunday School workers and students, be
side members of church choirs and servers
at the church's altars are from the Brother
hood. And all the while, beyond the reach
of observation or record, is going ON the man
to man work of Saint Andrews pattern BY
which thousands of individual souls have
been reclaimed from an evil life or aroused
to o greater sense of their duty. "Not unto
Us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name
be the praise" In our own city of Wood
bury the Brotherhood is represented by
Chapter Number 289 of Christ Church. In
seven years of existence it has had some