The Washington times., 1895-02-04
rN1nx MAss-nlErrrNa.

The anniversary was appropriately cele-
brated in Washington. At 3 o'clock yester-
day afternoon there was union mass-meet-
ing at the Mount Vernon Place NJ. f. Church,
and in the evening each local society held Il
81 enial service. At each OF these there was
special collection for mission work.
Tlere was good attendance at the after
noon mass-meeting. and the exercises were
of tie characteristic Endeayor order. In the
audience wererepresentatlves of nearly every
society in the District. President L. A. Con-
ner. OF the city union, presided. and with MIN
on the platform We're Rr w. III. Pencil and
Rev. DIR. w. {. Alexander, pastor OF the West
Street Presbyterian Church, the speakers of
the afternoon.
For fifteen minutes after o'clock there
was Gospel song and praise, conducted by
Prof Zimmerman, with Percy Foster at the
great organ.
President coHnor conducted brief devo-
tional exercises. there was more singing, and
then the first speaker Mr. w. IL. penneil, of
the Frst Congregational Society, was intro
duced.
Mr. Pennell was the first person TO sign the
constitution OF an EndeavOr society. and
told about the beginnings of that organiGa-
tion. He believed that the real beginning
was hundreds OF yeals ago, VIXEN God estab-
+ lisheI the church, making Chris. the head.
Our Heavenly Father perfected the plans
( OF the Endsavor society," said the speaker
''ages before they were actually developed
in the little Congregational church az Willis
ten. Ne. -
at wls a divineiY conceived ana a di-
vineiv directed movement. II IL had not
( been there would not now be nearly $4,000
individual soc cites in the world, with more
than 2.003.G10 members.
Mr. pennell went on to tell of the eircum-
stances incident 10 the organization of the
first society He said there were a amber
OF young people aud children in the Willis
ton Church at the tine who had become con-
verted and were considered too young 10
enter into the active work OF tie church. The
pastor was anxious that they should develop
in Christian faith. and ho conceived tine idea
OF forming q society among them for this
purpose. On the evening OF February ?,
1881. the children assembled at the pastor 5
home and DR. Clark explained 10 the CON-
pany what he proposed to do.
LAUNCHING OF THE FIRST SOCIETY.
Then he read the constitution which he had
prepared and which is almost identicaliy the
sane as that adopted by every society since
The constitution was adopted and signed by
fifty-eight persons, and thus was the frs
EndeaYor society launched.
Mr.. Penn, II also spoke at some length o.
the organization OF societies in foreign
countries.
scatter Seeds OF Sunshine" was sung and
then President Conner announced DIR. Alex
ander. who ia keI about Retrospect ant
prospect" The speaker reviewed at som'
length the growth and work of the societ,
during the past and said that with such
history and record ii was safe to predict al
even greater growth Tor the future.
The great movement was. in his opinion
only in lis childhood and lie was sure thit
when it has attained its growth it Will be
dIfficllt matter 10 find Il city with accommo
daIions adequate TO entertain the great annua
International conventions. But in the mids
OF their marvellous success, said the speaker
the Endeavorers should not forget thei
source OF strength and power and be eve
/ mindful OF the presence of God. giving t
Him the credit for their prosperity. After
brief prayer service. the meeting was dis
missed with the Mizpah benediction.
DEVOTED TO ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES.
In a majority Of the churches the regula
evening sermon and prayer service wa
omitted and the evening devoted to Endeavo
anniversary exercises. In some cases, how
ever the exercises took the place ofthe youn,
peoples prayer-meeting. Each of the sevent
societies prepared its own programme, whic
generally consisted of special music by III
Endeayorers exercises by the juniors re
marks concerning the objects OF the society
and brief address by the pastor.
At the Fourth Presbyterian Church tall
by Miss Catharine Jones, of the woman's ex
ecutive committee of the Presbyterian Boar
of Foreign Missions. was substituted for tn
pastors address.
} At The Eastern Presbyterian Church Rev
DIR. Wallace, Of New York city, delivered al
address in which he referred TO the valuabl
assistance Endeavorers can give in sustain
ing home and foreign mission by proportion
ate and systematic giving of their means