The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-07-13
REV. DR.. F. E. CLARK

A mammoth dry-goods house in fremont
street had its entire front covered by an
electrical design. The Park Square station
of the New Haven road was tastefully deco
rated. The churches were decked out with
flags, and in more than fifty pulpits on the
Sunday before the convocation the sermons
touched on the convention.
The two great tents on the Common, with
a capacity Of 10 900 people each, were amply
equipped with electric lights and seats ar
ranged as in an amphitheatre. The chorus OF
3MO voices was the largest ever heard IN
Boston.
The feature in which the general public
manifested the greatest interest WaSi the
three great mass meetings held each day LII
Mechanics Hall and in the tents. These
were addressed by some OF the most noted
evan-elists from all parts OF the world, and
the addresses were supplemented by open
parliaments." lasting for a half hour or more.
Next in general interest were the commit
tee conferences. held simultaneously at nj
teen different churches. each representing
special department Of Endeavor work.
Another feature which excited great en7
thusiasm was the State rallies, receptions
and general social occupations at the State
headquarters. These State rallies were held
in the different State headquarters in Boston:
There we're also several local receptions at
the hotel headquarters, given by the various
citv delegations to the officers OF the United
Society.
On the third afternoon of the convention
IN informal reception was rendered to the
State and Territorial officers of the Christian
Endeayor by the United Society in Cotiar
Hall Over 800 invitations were issued fol
this.
Auniuue feature was the series Of MONDAY
meetings held at factories, stores anS
wharves wherever they could be arranged
More than one hundred companies Of work
ers organized in various parts OF the country
to take charge Of these meetings.
The first National Convention Of the Young
Peoples Society Of Christian Endeavor wal
held in Portland, Me. Gts birthplace), !.
1882. The membership then was 4S1. com
prisng six societies At the twelfth conven
tion held in Cleveland, Ohio. in June, 1894
2S,741 societies, with membership Of 1,724.'
400, were rcpres nted.
Rev. DR.. Francis E. Clark. Of the Williston
Church, Of Portland. Me-, was the originaI
tor of the society. Being desirous OF inter-
esting the young people in church work he
invited them to his house and talked to
THEM ABOUT ii. uIlI luclL GutuuoltioAi OSiA5
aroused. he asked them to sign this pledge:
''Trilstin3 in The Lord Jesus Christ TO,
strength. promise Him that will strive to
do whatever He would like to have me dol
that will pray to Him and read the Bible
every day. and that, just so far rs I know
how, throughout my whole life. Twill endea-
vor to lead Christian life. As an active
member 1 promise TO be true to oil my
duties. TO be present Mt and to take some
part aside from singing in every meeting,
unless hindered by some reason which can
conscientiously give to my Lord and Master,
Jesus Christ. II obliged to be absent from
the monthly conservation meeting, will, If
possible. send an excuse for my absence to-
the society.
The first name subscribed to this pledge
was that Of W. II. Pennall. who has ever
since been prominent in the society. It was
not long before every church in Portland
had similar society. A member Of Willis
ton Church moved to Lincoln. Neb., and
carried the idea there. Another member
moved to South Hadley. Mass, and started
a society there. And so it spread. not onl!
throughout this country, but t0 foreign coun
tries, until it has reached every civilized
country on the globe. and, in fact, SOM
which are not civilized.