The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-12

DETROIT, Mich, Dec. 1.-THE trus-
tees of the United Society of'Chrlstihn
Endeavor began their semirapnnal
meeting yesterday in this city The
trustees are from all theIeadlng denomr
nations, and from all parts Of the coun,
try, and represent more than two and
half millions OF Christian Endeavor-
ers. Christian Endeayor belRs an in
terdenominational society, these bodies
are represented at tho meeting; Presby-
terian, Baptist, Congregational, Metho-
dist Episcopal Lutheran, Reformed
Church in the United States, Reformed
Church In America, Methodist Protest-
ant, Reformed Episcopallan, Disciples
OF Christ, Free Baptist, Canadian Pres
bytcrIan, Southern Presbyterian, Cunls
beTland Presbyterian, Methodist Epis7
copal, South, Friends, United Brethren,
United Presbyterian, Protestant Epis.
copal, and Methodist Episcopal OK
Canada,
Among the principal items Of busi-
ness transacted to-day was the reading
OF the reports OF Rev. Francis y. Clark,
DID, founder and president OF the So
ciety, and E.Mr, John Wills Baer, the
general secretary.
In his report President Clark sum
marIzes the situation OF the society az
the end of the fifteen years of Its exist
ence, and It's growth since It's organtza-
tlon. Among other things he says
UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE.
zone underlying principle of Chris
tlan Endeavor, now as 1t was fifteen
years ago. perhaps the great undeEly-
ing principle, is that OF religious service
and testimony for every ONE some tes-
tlmony and some service for the boy or
girl as well for the elder and deacon,
something for the child as we'll as tor
the grandfather; this is the underlying
thought OF the pledge, which the ex-
perIence Of these iiNen years has con-
vinced me is, In Its essence II not IN its
exact form, absolutely essential, not
only 10 the local society, but to the
growth OF the movement as n whole.
The pledge Is an appeal to the heroic;it
Is a recognition OF the element OF duty
In every life; II is an Acknowledgement
that something Is due TO the spiritual
nature; It is n reinforcement OF the
command to seek first the kingdom OF
God; II Is u blow at whims and moods
and fancies as controlling elements IN
the religious life. The idea of obligq-
tiOn, sehled by promise, 10 devote
some portion OF our lives to special and
definite Christian work and testimony
has entered into the inmost texture OF
tho Christian EndeaVor fabric. The
pledge nnlmates, not only the weekly
prayer meeting and the monthly con-
secration service, but every one OF the
multlfarious committees, and all the eff
forts put forth for.lndividual righteous
ness, for political purity, and for miss.
ionnry extension, by our unions In all
parts OF the world.
ut makes our great conventions pos
sIble, and animates Christian EndeaY-
or as well us Christian EndeaYorerS
throughout the world 1t is no mere
fad or fancy OF the day. 1t is not sim-
ply an earmark or distinction OF the
society by which It Is known. The idea
OF religious obligation, Of duty done for
Christ's dear sake, which underlles the
pledge. is n fundamental idea, which
accounts, in large measure believe,
for this world-cncircling movement
ASTONISHING GROWTH.
The secretary's report shows the Won
derful growth Of the Christian Endea-
vor Society, as follows:
Last spring, when the new societies
were reporting at the rate of an aVetage
of 100 q week, II seemed as II the growth
would at some near day be retarded,
that the progress that was being made
could not be kept up; but God continues
to direct its momentum, and the same
average Is being made week after week.
Last week 1888 societies were enrolled;
the week before ll5; and the week be-
fore that, lO5. There are now 42.S00 80
cleties. with membership OF 2,gSS,DOO;
q. 3g2 societies are In the United states.
S,IS5 in the Dominion OF Canada, ana
5.0eS in foreign and missionary lands
You will be interested to know that In
England there are now 5000 societies,
and In Auatrnlln nyCr I. GOO