The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-12
MEETINGS AT NIGHT.
Father CIark's Address Read by Him.

self I'm Mechanfcs' Hall.
An hour before the meeting OF the evening
opened in Mechanics Hall nine thousand
persons crowded the auditorium and at 7:15
an overflow meeting in which over two
thousand participated was held in front of
the building. All the doors of the hall
were closed and not even delegates were
admitted after Z o'clock. Several beauti-
fully rendered hymns in which the chorus
Of one thousand voices and all the dele
gates raised their voices echoed through
the convention building before the opening
hour and the enthusiastic ones were still
singing when. at 1880 o'clock. General Sec
rotary John Willis Baer stepped forward
under the bell-like sounding board and
called the delegates to order. After a
brief greeting Secretary Baer INTRODUCED
j. Missel. of Darby. England, who led the
W. IA. Smith. of washington D.. G.. i'm
vited the united society TO the convention
of 1895. which Is to be held at the national
capital.
President Clark's Address.
= President Clark received a grand ovation
when he advanced to the speakers desk
to read his annual report. He said:
Judged by all standards it is no immodest
statement that the Endeavor movement is
a Success. An organization which in four
teen years has grown from one society to
forty thousand, from ffty-six members to
nearly two millions and a half; an organ
ization that has belted the globe: that
finds itself as much at home in Old Eng
land as In New England, under the South
ern cross as under the North star. under
the dragon flag of China as under the stars
and stripes Of America. can claim surely
pedient. but a worldwide. providential
movement. Especially is this true when it
is remembered that this success has been
to- ftIA &c.,
age. such as has brought into existence
and assiduously fostered other societies of
the Endeavor type. That this success is
by the fact that this year has been the
year OF greatest and most substantial
growth. as well az of highest spiritual at
tainment, of any of the fourteen.
Our secretary's report told us q nearly
eight thousand societies added ITO the
ranks s,v With their f.,l half million members
soldiers OF the Lord. marching on to vic
tory; This convention will tell you of the
zenship; Of the war waged against the
saloon and the brothel. the Sunday ball
game and the Sunday theater;. for good
government and righteousness in munich
Endeavorers have relieved the poor and
sick, lightened the squalid misery of the
despairing. strengthened the prayer meet
ing and every church service, while from
its ranks scores of thousands have come
into the churches of Christ. 1t will tell
and systematic giving, and of thousands
OF eager Endeavorers who are only wait
ing the word of command from their re-
spectiye churches, like the new settlers on
the edge of a reservation. with one foot
over the line. waiting for the government
pistol shot, to go in and possess the land.
these matters. though our hearts leap with
joy as We consider them.
There are no considerations which so be-
little mans agency in the movement or
make one feel 40 humble ac tb0Sp which
tell of the u-ndreamed-of success of this
God-sent. God-guided movement. Had its
success been less, on
the part OF some might find room. It's very
scope and reach preclude vanity and boast
iulness, as a vastly bounteous crop can be
fruitful soil. and sun and rain. But sue
cess brings its own responsibilities. If the
crop is large. the duties OF stewardship are
greater the obligation TO use 1t Alright. The
responsibility for the future of Christian
Endeavor rests not with any leaders or of
the Endeavorers themselves, in every one
Of the forty thousand societies the world
around: What you make it. Endeavorers.
the future of the society will be. Upon
your modesty. teachableness. wisdom. de-
votion, aggressive zeal, depends the still
larger success for which we pray to-night-
What. then. are the providential response
bilities thrust upon Endeavorers by the
very success of this movement? What is
demanded of US by the very triumphs of
NltA1 1otL
WHAT MUST BE DONE.
First-I would mention humble. unselfish
devotion to the cause we represent, which
is the cause of Christ: a devotion which is
rot measured by loaves and fishes; a devo-
ton which is entirely independent of off,
ces and emolumcnts and honors. This So
ciety. thank God. has never yet been at the
mercy OF designing. mercenary schemers.
It's very genius. its spiritual aims, its lofty
purpose. its loyal dependence on the church
which ii serves. Will. / believe. preserve 1t
in the future as in the past. Everybody,
from the pin man to the railroad ticket
scalper. wants TO sell you his wares. Just
because you are numerous. Everybody.
from the political hack, who is In the bust
ness for revenue only, to the prophet OF a
new dlspensation. who Is sure that his
spiritual panacea Is the only one to usher
In the millennium. wants your patronage
because there are SO many OF YOU Don't be
beguiled. The Endeavor Society Is for