The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-07

of Rev. George c. Nccdham. q Baptist
| preacher I'm CONGREGATIONAL church IN
| Portland Me. where great reviVai
] was the result and n good many young
people profcsscd religion. II was
| conservative church. and the officers
thought many OF them too young TO be-
| come church members. In order 20
hold them In the faith. DIR. Clark, the
pastor OF the church, started the first
Christian Endcavor Society with the
pledge. Much 10 his surprise, he short
~ had application from another church
about IL. and. in response to others, print
cd on copying device fifty copies OF
the pledge and constitution, not dream
ing but that they would Oh all demands.
These were soon gone, and the movement
commenced TO spread wherever IT took
root. In referring TO the extension OF
the soc ETY.. he said: When men are
sneering and saying that religion Is In
decade1ce and the Bible o last years
almanac. there have grown up In very
brief time nearly two million young peo-
pie pledged to serve Christ and the
church.
New York is still talking OF the thirty
thousand Christian Endeavorers that we
poured in on them two years ago. Chaun-
cey Depew said II was the finest spectacle
of his life when he faced that audience
In Madison Square Garden and twenty
thousand handkerchiefs were waved at
him as a salute of welcome.
lie has never forgotten II ard IS re-
minded OF IL every day through 'he
neoD,e he meets. Christian Endeavor j.
not a mere organization. 1t IS an in
fuence. a movement that is beginning
10 tcrch every church in Christendom.
in every Missionary Board, and Its in
Thence is being felt in every college also /
may say II has introduced a new |
shirt I'm the Church. The intense hope |
fulness Of II has put new life into many |
churches that were wellnigh dead. In /
referring TO the good work Of men. he t
paid magnificent and eloquent tribute
to the late George w. Childs, speaking
OF him as the two Cheryable brothers
rolled into one-a man who touched lie
on every side.
Cast in Iron.
Christian Endeavor methods are the |
surost know. The pledge IS cast-iron.
but then there are no conscripts In this /
army, and ! believe in the pledge for the !
work IL has done. The pledge has en-
phasized Bible study and brought con-
fession to the forefront. IL insists on
work for every one.
IL is almost precisely like the Covenant.
but you can play fast and loose with the
Covenant but you cannot with the pledge.
II you play with that you are dropped.
The Christian Endeavor Society, is a
training school Of specialists. II is not
enough these days 10 be good, you must
be good for something. We have too
much unskilled labor in the Church. We
must not only be pious. but we must give
our hands and our brains. We want men
who can do one thing well and better
than other men.
Dr. Becky emphasized the loyalty Of
each local society to its own church and
and the fact that IL was
under no authority whatsoever, except its
pastor and church officers.
I'm referring TO the Baptist Young Peo-
pies Unions, he advised them TO keep all
they have, but to add the Christian En-
Ieayor ideas to it. Said ne: 1T seems 10
me preacher stultifies himself when
he stands outside Of this movement and
says / will have none of it. II is n mar
rellous movement. and there is none
ike IL. II you know any better come in
md tell us, and we will adopt it. If you
hink IL is not properly managed come in
md help direct its wonderful force"
These are n few of the points made by
he eloquent preacher clothed in beauti-
al language and garlanded with spark
ing wit and striking illustration.
The question-bOx conducted by him
ave a still more comprehensive descrip-
ion OF the power and growth of the
movement. Rev. ". 4. Christian offered
he closing prayer, and Rev. Jabez Hall
lade a few closing remarks. After sing
lg a single verse of the Christian En-
eayor hymn, God be with you till we
ieet again." the meeting closed with the
lizpah benediction.