Smyrna times., 1896-06-24
WASHINGTON 90.
THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR CONVENTION.

in 1899 the visit of its members made
quite marked difference in the appear
ance of the streets and provoked much
inquiry and newspaper enterprise.
Indeed, the visitors themselves COM
mand the interest natural to youth and
beauty, as those in attendance are
chiefly young men and young women.
No city but would welcome such pleas
ant visitors with its best hospitalities.
Already in Washington active prep
arations are being made for the Fif-
teenth International Christian En-
deavor Convention, which will open
there on Wednesday, July 8, and con-
tinue its sessions until the following
Monday evening. From $4,000 to 20,
900 persons are expected to attend.
The Christian Endeavor movement is
growing at the rate of about 100 new
societies a week. On April %, 1896,
there were A, ,596 societies in the
world, with a membership, of $3.50, 900.
What is the meaning and purpose OF
this gigantic organization, the mem
bership of which includes young people
representing all the leading Protestant
bodies, and which recently was the re-
cipient of discriminating approval in a
prominent Roman Catholic publica-
tion?
The first society of Christian En-
deavor was established as recently as
February 2, 1881, by the Rev. Francis
E. Clark, of Portland, Me. His object
was to train Young people for service in
church work and this continues to be
the aim of the societies, each one OF
which has a place in its own local
church and denomination, and owes
no fealty and no dues to any central
authority. There is nothing tending
to schism in the Christian EndeavoI
movement. The Christian Endeav-
orer is the more loyal and effective
Presbyterian, Methodist, Congrega-
tionalist, ETC., by virtue of his being q
Christian Endeavorer. Surely this is
the denominating reason of the aston
ishing success of the movement.
THE GIGANTIC ORGANIZATION.
There is, indeed, a United Society
of Christian Endeavor, with headquar.
ters at Boston, Mass, but it is simply
bureau of information, having but
this one object-to spread the Chris
tian Endeavor idea. The publication
of literature and other business enter
prises are the sources of its income.
It's chief officers are the Rev. Francis
E. Clark, D. D., president; John Will
lis Baer, general secretary, and William
Shaw treasurer.
As a matter of course, the United
Society arranges for the annual inter
national convention, which is held
purely for fellowship. Many thous-
ands of Christian young people, few
maturer folks among them, meet and
hold a series of meetings, during which
they are addressed by invited guests
from outside the orangization as well
as by members. AS in the meetings OF
local societies, youthful enthusiasm
and vigor characterize these mighty
gatherings. Their singing is a revela-
ton of sweetness and volumn. At this
writing about 1000 persons constitute
chorus organized in Washington to
lead the shining at the convention meet
ings of next July.
The attendance at the New York
convention in 1892 was 35, 900. An in
vading army of double this number
will take possession of Washington.
"On to Washington" is the watchword
everywhere, and the Federal capital is
fully alive to the Importance of being
ready to entertain its comely visitors.
The convention will open on the
evening of July with twenty-five
meetings in as many of the largest
churches of the city. Deepening the
Spiritual Life" is announced as the
subject for all these meetings. On
Thursday morning will be held the
official opening of the convention in
the three great tents which will be
pitched on the White Lot. The presi
ding officers will be the Rev. F. f.
Clark, d. D., and the Rev. Tennis S.
Hamlin, d. D., of Washington, anG
the H. B. Grose, of Boston, At these
meatings will be read Secretary Baer's
annual report and President Clark's
annual address.
DENoMINATIONAL RALLIES,
Denominational rallies will be fea
ture of Thurday's proceedings, til,
principal meetings being in the thre,
tents, which will be used each respec.
lively by Presbyterians, Congrega.
tionalists and Baptists; but from
twenty-five to thirty churches will be
occupied for similar gatherings O.
other sects. In the evening of the