Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-12

T. Sib,ey, Pelfast, Me. spoke on INT
Christian Endeavorer's Duty to the Hom'
Church" A number of other addresses
were made. including several by Christian
Endeavor state PR si3ents from the vast
The Baptist rally was held at tent En-
deavor, which was dsnse!y packed. Kew
H. c. Vedder of Chicago, presided Rev
l.. Adalla Crandall. ID. D., of Chicago
spoke on Dangers to be Met with in The
Christian Endeavor Work" Rev
Clarence A. Barbour Of Rochester, N. Y,
gave an eloquent and telling address on
Good Citizens hip;" Gen. L. j. Morgan,
secretary of the Baptist Home Missionary
Society. spoke On Home Missionary
Work Rev. II c. Mabie. foreign secre'
tary OF the American Baptist Missionary
Union, dwe.t upon the. heroisln shown IL
the foreign missionary work. An oper
parliament. conducted by Rev. Wayland
Hoyt. ID. D.. Minneapolis, discussed THE
Advanced Endeavor. A resolution was
adopted sending greeting to the meeting OF
the Baptist Union in Baltimore July Is.
At this evening, Mechanics hall was
opened, and within half an hour 1t was
so densely packed that the doors had to be
closed. Thousands gathered before The
building An overflow meeting was held
on the steps and avenue, at which Rev,
Henry Montgomery, Belfast, Ireland, Rev.
John Pollock of Glasgow, Scotland, and
President +. f. Clark spoke. Secretary
John W. Baer presided in the hall, and
George *. Somerby acted as musical direc-
tor. After brief praise and prayer ser
vice, W. H. H. Smith Of Washington, d.
c., extended to the convention an invita-
.ion to meet in that city next year. Rev,
Francis f Clark, u. d., Boston, presi-
dent of the United Society, then read his
annual report, being received with en-
thusastic applause. He said:
Judged by ell standards it is no i'm
modest statement that the Endeavor move
ment Is success. An organization
which In fourteen years has grown from
one society to forty thousand, from fifty
six members to nearly two millions and a
half; an organization that has belted the
globe: that finds itself as much at home
in Old England as in New England. I'M
der the Southern Cross as nnder the North
Star, under the dragon flag of China as
under the Stars and Stripes of America,
can claim surely to be no provincial and
temporary expedient, but a worldwide,
providential movement
Especially is this true when it is re-
membered that this success has been
achieved without any ecclesiastical pat
ronage such as has brought into existence
and assiduously fostered other societies of
the Endeavor type. That this success is
no evarescent, temporary affair is shown
by the fact that this year has been the
year of greatest and most substantial
growth as well as Of highest spiritual
attainment Of any of the fourteen.
Our secrotary's report told US Of nearly
5000 societies added to the ranks with
their half. million members, 500 full regi-
ments of the young soldiers Of the Lord,
marching on to victory. This convention
will tell you of the battles fought and won
for Christian citizenship; of the war
waged against the saloon and the brothel,
the Sunday ball game and the Sunday
theatre; for good government and
righteousness in municipal affairs. 1t will
tell you how Christian Endeavorers have
relieved the poor and sick, lightened the
squalid misery of the despairing
strengthened the prayer meeting and
every church service while from its ranks
scores Of thousands have come into the
churches Of Christ. 1t will toll you of the
advance of missionary spirit and syste-
matte giving, and of thousands of eager
Endeavorers who are only waiting the
word of command from their respective
churches, like the new settlers on the
edge of "a reservation, with one foot over
the line, waiting for the government PTS
tol shot. to go in and possess the land 1t
is not within my province to rehearse
these matters though our hearts leap with
joy as We consider them.
There are no considerations which so
belittle mans agency in the movement or
make one feel 50 humble as those which
tell of the undreaTned of success of this
God-sent, God guided movement. Had its
success been less, self congratulation on
the part of some might find room. It's
very scope and reach preclude vanity and
boastfulness, as vastly bountoous crop
can be attributed by the farmer only to
Gods fruitfrl soil and sun and rain.
But success brings its own responsible
ties. II the crop is large, the duties of
stewardship are also large The greater
the fortune the greater the obligation to
use IL Alright. What
then, arc the providcntial responsible
bl6S tUfuSE upon hHueaVOIGES Dy the very
success of this movement? What is de-
mandcd of us by the very triumphs of this
good year:
First. I would mention humble, IN
selfish devotion to tho cause we represent
which is the cause Of Christ; devotion
which is not measured by loaves and
fishes; a devotion which is entirely indie
pendent Of offices and emolumcnts and
honors. This society, thank God, has
never yet been at the mercy Of designing,
sohemers Its very genius, its
spiritual aims, its lofty purpose, its loyal
dependence on the church which it serves,
viii, l believe, presorva it in the future
as in the past. Don't be be-
guiled The Endeavor Society is for Christ
and tho church; for home and native
land; not to boost or bolster any political
party or to sell any nostrums, be they for
the body or soul.
Above all, let US beware of ecclesiastical
politics. Suffer no boss, not even an
easy boss, " in Christian Endeavor. If
any one in your State or local union at
tempts to lord it over Gods heritage,
elect him to stay at home at the next op-
portunity. The society has prospered in
the past in every state and province be-
cause OF the unsel fish devotion Of a myri-
al of unheralded workers know of no
organization that il so indebted to recruits
who ask fox TO pay, no uniform. no enau