The record-union., 1895-05-23

Rev. Francis E. Clark, d. D., founder
of the Christian Endeavor movement
and President of the United Society of
Christian Endeavor, will arrive on Satur-
day morning from the State of Washing
ton, where he has been in attendance on
the State convention, and will take an
active part in this one.
The life of man who has been the
chief human agency in founding and
promulgating movement that has
spread moro rapidly and more widely
than any other cause in the history Of
the world, cannot be without interest to
the general public. The activities of DIR.
Clark have been so thoroughly one with
the Christian Endeavor cause that to
write sketch Of his life is to write a
history of the movement.
It was in his earnest thought that
Christian Endeavor had its origin, and
his wise direction has been largely re-
sponsible, SO far as man is at all re-
sponsible, for the wonderful growth of
the organization. Dr.. Clark himself is as
remarkable man as Christian Endeavor
is movement.
Only one man in million could found
such q society, and, having founded it.,
continue to direct it, judiciOusly avoiding
the manifold snares and pitfalls that sur
round it on every side. Il is because DR..
Clark himself Is such an absolutely un-
selfish, humble character, that Christian
Endeavor has not succumbed to the diff
culties that have beset it. At no time has
he used the organization as means to
further his own ends at no time has he
sought to put himself forward, and ever
has he labored with q view solely to ex-
tending the general cause Of 'Christ and
the Church, through this body of young
people.
Those who know DR.. Clark best are the
ones who admire him most heartily and
love him most thoroughly. His gentle
spirit and modest demeanor are only
equaled by his sterling Christian charac-
ter. This has ever been the chief cbarac-
teristic of the man. 1t is the record that
the friends of his early life and young
manhood unanimously bear OF him.
Rev. Francis E. Clark is of New Eng
land parentage, although born in Ayi-
mer, Quebec. The date of his birth was
Septemb Der IL, 1851. so that he is still in
the prime of his manhood. His father
was a civil engineer. In 1853, while en-
gagged in miuistering to emigrants suffer-
ing from cholera, he contracted the dread
disease, and speedily succum bed to it..
When DR.. Clark was years old, his
mother also passed away. She was an
earnest Christian worker and a pioneer
| in religious efforts. 1t was from her that
Dr. Clark largely inherited his Christian
| character and literary ability.
| Upon the death of his mother the
| 7-year-old boy was adopted by an uncle.
Rev. E. w. Clark of Auburndale Mass.
Here, and in Claremont, n. H., DR..
Clark spent his boyhood. He prepared
for college at Meridian. n. H.. and In
! 1869 graduated from the Kimball Union
Academy. From there he went to Dart
mouth, graduating in 1873. Three years
were spent in Andoyer Seminary, and
| IL (, -,I- Il
took charge of his first church at Port
land, Me-, the famous Williston Church.
in which Christian Endeavor was born.
DIR. Clark had been pastor here for four
years before he conceived the idea of the
| Christian Endeavor Society. The young
people had been largely cared for by a
mission band, 1.-The Mizpah Circle,'' con-
Quoted by Mrs. Clark, who has ever been
a helpmeet for DIR. Clark in all his Chris
| ton Endeavor labors. A successful re-