Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-12

80 u. u = - -
sAai presented . dsht svss aoss impsss.
seasi0n Of the forenoon, ths sh0vus and
prominent leaders ol che socisty crowded
ths groat platform, the chorus Including
over 1000 voices.
Several beautifully rendered hymns, In
which the chorus and all the delegates
raised their voioos, echoed through tho
convention building before ths opening
hour, and tho enthusiastic onos were still
singing when at 1880 General Secretary
Bser called the delegates TO order.
After brief address by Secretary Baer
introduced Rov. J. Missii OF Derby, Eng,
who led tho opening prayer and praise
service, Mt the conclusion Of which w. Ii.
II. Smith of Washington invited the
United society 70 tho convention Of '96,
which is To be held at the national Gap
ital.
Mr. Smith was frequently applauded,
and when Musical Director Somerby an.
nounced tho song which followed, every
Endeavorer joined In, singing Washing
ton, '96," with u will.
President CLARK received grand ova-
tion when no advanced TO the speakers
desk to read his annual report Tho Chau-
tauqua salute greeted him as he appeared,
and loud and long continued cheers fol-
lowed Following is u synopsis OF
President CIarks Address.
Judged by all standards, IL Is no i'm.
modest statement that the Endeavor move
ment Is "a success. An organization which
In IA years has grown from one society to
10000, from 50 members to nearly $500, 900;
an organization that has belted the globe;
that finds itself as much at homo In Old
England as In New England, under the
southern cross as under the north star, un-
der the dragon flag Of China as under tho
Stars and Stripes Of America. can claim
surely to be no provincial and temporary
expodient, but worldwide, providential
movement.
. But success brings Ito own responsi-
bilities. II tho crop Il largo, ths duties Of
Stewardship arc also largo. Tho responsi-
bility for tho future Of Christian Endeavor
rests not with any leaders o. officers or
united society or union, but With the En-
deavorers themselves, In every one Of the
10000 societies tho world around. What
is demanded Of us BY the very triumphs Of
this good yeari
Tirst-I would mention humble, selfish
devotion to tho cause We represent, which
ID the cause of Christ; devotion which is
not measured by loaves and fishes; do
votion which is entirely Independent OF
Offices and emoluments and honors. This
society, thank God, has never yet been at
the mercy Of designing, mercenary schem-
ers Its very genius, It's spiritual aims, It's
lofty purpose, its loyal dependence on the
church which 1t serves. will, I believe, pro-
serve 1t In the future as in tho past.
Second-Past successes have all been
won along the lines Of fidelity and intense
loyalty: loyalty to God and his word,
loyalty to our individual churches and
their interest. These very successes thrust
upon us the Same course for the future. In
order that we may be more intclhgently
faithful, may suggest that greater atten-
tion be paid to the study Of Gods word,
systematically and Conseoutively.
It Is the proud boast Of this society, and
1t Is no empty boast that 1t Is as loyal to
It's own church as any purely denomina-
tional society possibly can be. Let this
loyalty be as intelligent as IL Is intense.
Let us know why we are Baptists and
Methodists and Presbyterians and Luther
ans and Disciples Of Christ and Congrega-
tionalists and Episcopalians. Let us base
our service on intelligent devotion as well
as on traditional veneration.
Third-The successes of the past have
been due to certain distinctive principles,
which have come to be known as Christian
Endeavor principles. This convention Is
not an agglomeration of all kinds of young
peoples societies. 1t is not gathering OF
musical and literary and social and
amusement societies. 1t Is a convention
of Christian Endeavor societies. The
growth Of these Ii years is not u happy
combination of odd elements which have
come together by chance. AS every plant
has n root, so every Endeavor society has
q root. Rather 1t has three roots: the
pledge, the conservation meeting, and a
system of committees by which its practi-
cal service for Christ Is performed. You
might rs we'll expect a plant to grow
strong and vigorous If you hack away at
its roots, rs an Endeavor society to grow
strong without these cardinal princip les.
The God-ordained purpose of the En-
deavor movement is to raise the stand
ard of practical devotion and conse-
Grated religious enthusiasm of young
people. 1t Is constantly saying by
means of the pledge, the conservation
meeting, and the leading committees:
make of your religion the first thing in
all your lives. Place it before your busi-
ness, before your social pleasures, before
your school, before your amusements.
There is one supreme thing in the world,
and that is the service of the Master.
This gives Christian Endeavor right ia
live. This accounts for its success in the
past. This guarantees
Its Success In the Future.
Fourth But while the absolute ncces
stty ~ l,oopipo tho movements sttrua tc