The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-05-15

I there are s. $50 societies and 2o25, 500
members. It is easier to tell where
these societies are not to be found than
where they are, for they now exist in
every country in the world bat seven
Italy, Austria, Russia, Iceland. Bel
GUM, Sweden and Greece The United
States leads, as a matter OF course,
there being 1884 societies and ass, go
members in this country. Canada has
2,44S societies and Great Britain 9, 442:
Australia comes next with 943; India
follows with 116; Madagascar with 90:
Japan with 50 and other lands with
less, away down to Laos, Asia, with
one.
The organization is, and was from
the first, intended to be strictly denom-
national, the object being the build
ing up of every church in which it finds
foothold, even as the object of the
frst society was the building up of the
Nilliston church of Portland. But the
Christian Endeavor society levies no
tax, eXacts no tribute. It may offer
counsel, but it never seeks to control
For the purpose of facilitating the ex.
tension of the work, central organiza-
ton, the United Society of Christian
Endeavor, has been formed, with head
quarters at 60 Washington street,
Boston. But this central society re-
ceives no contributions, its expenses be-
ing entirely met by the sale of Christian
En3eavor publications and supplies. OF
the officers of the United society. but
one, Secretary Baer. draws any salary
from the society, President Clark and
Treasurer Shaw deriving their support
from the Golden Rule. This periodical
Is not published by the United society,
but by private corporation. The
Golden Rule IS taken in every country
where there are English speaking mem
berS OF the Christian Endeavor societies.
The first two annual conventions
were held IN Portland, Ne. the third
at Ocean Park. near Old Orchard. Ne,
the two following at Saratoga and the
next, in 1855, at Chicago Year by year
the attendance has been growing. but
the officers We're hardly prepared for
the 5000 delegates who presented them
selves at that gathering. The next one.
held in Philadelphia, mad $500 dele
gates; the next, at St. Louis. more than
5000, and the next, at Minneapolis.
over $4,000. Unprecedented as was the
attendance at Minneapolis. the number
Of delegates At the next eleventh. con-
vention. held IN New York. was more
than doubled 80 numerous were they,
IN fact, that no accurate computation
was feasible; but conservative estimates
put 1t al $1,000. by al odds the largest
number that had ever gathered in one
place 10 attend convention Of any
sort The next convention was at Mon
treal. Canada. the first held outside. the
boundaries of the United States; but
despite that fact and the counter at
traction Of the worlds fair at Chicago.
$4,000 delegates invaded the Canadian
city, 10 the amazement Of its inhabi,-
ants. At Cleveland, last year. $4,000
were present. and other amounted
thousands We're kept away by the Debs
railroad strikes. Fully 1000 are ex-
pected at Boston.
Boston is getting ready 20 receive |
The Christian Endeavor hosts. and both /
the citizens OF the town and the au-
thorities of the society are making
strenuous efforts 10 prevent repeti- |
ton Of the experience in New York 1
three years ago For, though New
1orGxaS Iege- overwhelmed before.