St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-08-23

have organized, resurrected ana
been the progressive life of the church.
When faith was almost dead and
hope had well nigh f1ed-Christian
Erdeavor with its fresh blood and
matchless zeal, has inspired all
things with new vigor and life. 1t
has solved financial problems before
which church officials have paled
and shivered; it has helped the
prayer meeting with bright happy |
spirits, with song, where for years
there had been silence as when Israel
CT old hung their unstrung harps |
upon the bending willows.
The Christian Endeavor has lifted
the burdens and upheld the hands OF
many a weary, overworked pastor;
and when many trusted watcher
has Withheld sympathy and support,
it has watched with him many an
hour" and it some of its members
have at last fallen asleep it is no
more than betell the disciples of old.
They at least have shown a willing
ness to help bear others burdens,
which cannot be said of all church
members. That the work OF this
society was God-inspired and God
directed, receiving His blessing and
benedction, no one can question
for a moment.
But like all things Of highest value
and momentous sweep, it has its de-
fects, its dangers and perlls. This is
recognized by the founders and lead
ers of the movement. 1t has become
so vast in numbers, so popular in
history, so influential in society, so
hatteled and praised that its CON
tinued growth and usefulness may
be impaired
There is a certain pride and conceit
growing out of these facts that 1t
is well to consider. Who can endure
praise and fAttery? Numbers OF
themselves beget false pride.
The history of religious denomlna-
tons proves this. Quantity and not
quality has been and is the danger
of Christianity. In proportion as
numbers increase the finer quality OF
Christian thinking and living is apt
to decrease.
When the young people will not
attend the regular church service
because the "old people" are there,
and will not carry out plans of work
instituted by the church, it is easy to
see there is conflict between practice
and pledge.
Whether such incidents as the fol
lowing are proofs of disloyalty to
the church and pastor, or not, they
certainly furnish food for thought
and serious reflection.
A Christian Endeavorer who
attended the Boston meeting, was
asked by the pastor to give a re-
port of that meeting at the church
service on Sunday evening. She re-
fused, saying the report belonged to
the society and would be given at
their meeting on a week day even
ing"
Another young Christian Endeav-
orer, thirty6ve or forty years of age,
strongly objected to the fact that a
clergyman was sent to the Boston
convention instead OF a layman, al
though the clergyman had been q
lifelong promoter of the Christian
Endeavor work.
These are little things, and art
mentioned in no spirit of censure
but straws sometimes indicate which
way the wind blows.
No sweeping condemnation can b.
:, Justly made against these societies
+ neither can unqualified praise be be
e slowed upon them. They area part
d large part, of humanity, and mus
lie needs partake of its weaknesses an,
1t folly. 1t is doubtless true that Their
lie is not single society but has one O
V more members, who ii an issue wer
" raised, would prove disloyal to tn
church: as there is not a churc
i where every member is loyal to tn
{ covenant. If such persons ar
III strong, persistent and Influential
Up there is no calculating the mischi
to they can accomplish. Anythin
id that exalts itself and belittles tt
OF church is full of danger Huma
VI nature is the same every where.
=" loves place and power and approbi
-, tian, Let every Christian be Chri