The morning times., 1895-10-19
CONFER is TO END[lVORS
Young Christians Who Are Intro.
ducing Many New Methods.
NEW PRAYER MEETING ERA
Nine Meetings of Earnest Young Peo-
pIeat Six Churches Ask nd Ans wer
Questions In Regard TO the Best
Ways of Religious Activity-Eow
Leaders May be Helped.

A new era in Christian work in many
churches is being ushered in by the Chris
| tian Endeavor societies. This was shown
by the conferences OF committees last
night The day of the old-fashioned prayer
meeting, where the pastor and one or two
| of the deacous do all the talking is pass
| ing. When the yound men and womza and
\ their successors in the Christian Endeavor
| work shall have come TO full control of
| prayer meetings every one will be expected
| u give expression to worship or prayer
| or bring some suggestion for practical
usefulness.
Every conference last night was train
ing school for that sort OF thing. The
Zeal displa yed recalled the days when men
and women went to the old colonial churches
| in the morning and remained all day listen
ing to Cotton Mather or some other worthy.
There were nine conferences in session
| with a total attendance of 476. The En-
deavorers are business-like aud give exact
| figures.
NUMBERS AT THE MEETINGS.
| At the Prayer-meeting conference, led by
Miss Anna j Rell. there were 90; Look
out. Miss Lizzie NJ. Warman, 10; Music.
Mr. Cha rles s. Clark, 50; Missionary, Miss
Florence Shuttle, 70; Good Citizenship.
| Mr. W. ii. Penncl, %: Social, Mr.. George
Is. Linton, 40; Good Literature. Mr.. w. N.
Weston. 16; and Calling, Reliefand Flower,
| Miss Emma L. Kohler, 90.
The first three were held at Calvary
Baptist Sunday School House; the next
| two at Mt. Vernon Place Methodist, and
one each in order at st. Paul's Lutheran,
| L Street Baptist. First Congregational,
and Fourth Presbyterian.
| These conferences are rene wal of efforts
to arouse the whole membership to activity
| which were first tried last year and proved
very successful They gave new ideas and
| infused new life into committee work. In
| the first conference there We're short papers
and talks; in the second topics for open
discussion; last night it was question and
answer
From five to dozen questions Were pre-
pared for each of the nine committees and
published in a four-page circular letter
sent out by President NJ. NJ. Shand and See
retary Hermon c. Metcalf two weeks ago.
In addition ever member was encouraged
to ask any question that pressed itself
upon his attention. New ideas were at a
premium. The leader was not expected to
monopolize the time by any means.
SILENT SUGGESTION.
Everyone was free to attend the confer
ence that seemed most likely 10 be OF
benefit TO him. Each was furnished
was silent suggestion. sometimes accom-
panied by words, that something good
enough to keep was expected.
The prayer-Diecting conference discussed
at considerable length the question of
leadership. It was considered desirable.
so far as possible that every member should
at some time lead the prayer-meeting.
This is a part of the plan of developing all
in Christian activity. But sometimes a
member is by nature a very poor leader.
II then became a question whetha~ to
endanger the briskncss or spirituality of
meeting forthe 81 ke fhelpingth individual.
One way suggested out of the dilemma
was to have two leaders one good to off
set the poor. Another way was TO let
the whole committee lead, along with the
leader needing help. A third plan was to
have everybody instructed before hand to
take hold promptly and with spirit
In this latter way, 1t was stated. il fire.
quently happened that an unusually help
full meeting resulted.
KEEPING TAB ON MEMBERS.
In the lookout committee the problem
of keeping records was discussed. II
is part of the Endsavor plans to keep track
of what each member ia actually doing.
For this purpose a record is made of at
tendance at church. Sunday-school and
prayer meeting. The lookout committee
at anv time is able 10 furnish data upon a
members movements
The Cool literature Conference con-
sihered the distribution OF papers and ma ga
zines to hospitals. refonmatoricS. and
prisons. Also the question how the com
mittee can cooperate with other commit
tees, was talked over.