The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-10-27
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Meeting of the Societies Throughout
the State.
FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION
The Various Unions in Cecil County Well
Represented.

The Fifth Annual Convention of the Mary
land Christian Endeavor Union was held in
Baltimore on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday in the Associate Reformed Church
corner of Maryland Avenue and Preston
street. The various unions throughout the
state were represented
The convention opened on Tuesday after
noon with an informal meeting, the purpose
OF which was to allow of the delegates becom-
ing well acquainted. The program of the
week was outlined by William H. Belt Presid-
ent.
Mr.. Belt delivered his annual address in
the evening, and said in part:
"After the local union was organized in
Baltimore in 1869 the work spread and pros
pered until those who were engaged in it felt
that the societys benetcent service should
be carried to our sister pastorates through
out the state. In response to the invitation
sent to all Protestant churches to be present
or represented at IA meeting held December
1880, to organize state union. comparatively
sew responded, but the union was formed
and well directed efforts were at once begun
Information among all the churches. The
succeeding years have brought an increased
knowledge OF their helpfuness to both indi-
'idual and church life, overcoming prejudice
dnd indifference, until to day we have i'll the
state 35l societies, with Il pledged member
hip Of $4,000.
"Our first district conference was held last
Jear on the East 'rn Shore. and so we'll attend
ed and so helpful was it that the work in that
section increased many hundredfold during
the year and IA number o. unions were also
.ormed. This year two such conferences
we're held, one East and one West. with such
good results in attendance and interest as
to rival our annual conventions At one o.
the conferences no less than three county
tnions were formed by the delegates while
there and the secretary's report will show
now the work has prospcrcd in both sec IONS
which is in measure the outcome of these
gatherings. No meetings have surpassed
some of our county conventions, for they
have stimulated the workers and been a
revelation to the Christian people in the
communities where they have been held.
"Christian Endeavor must produce strong
n and individual characters; it must breach
The Gospel of the kingdom; it must be Il
power in the salvation of the unsaved; it
It must be found in the world Il factor for
righteousness or its purpose fails. The fact
that W" have an organization of 1000. 900
members does not lessen our personal responsi
lilitV MI I hui
better character; must preach the Gospel of
the kingdom; must be a power for righteous
ness as though | stood alone. for. after all
It is the individual life that shall make
Christian Endeavor an irresistible force for
the evangelnation of the world.
How many Christian business men do
you meet with who can speak naturally to
you upon spiritual things? If we would
make Christian Endeavor tell in this busy
world, where the greater part of our lives are
spent, we must give voice to the deep things
His love has bestowed upon us.
May the coming year be the most fruitful
our state has ever known. May the inspir-
alton of this great gathering remain, its
fellowship an encouragement its spirit a
Denedlctlon upon every renewed effort. May
citizenship be priced as never before, because
it shall be used to promote righteousness
among men in this present world. Nav self
denial be seen in our gifts both of money and
ourselves in response to the Macedonian cry
the very name Christian Endeavor always
sisnifying the power of God betowed upon
us and sanctifying our daily living.
At the election of officers for the coming
year Mr.. John L. Johnson, President of the
Cecil County Union was elected director.