The Republican journal., 1896-10-01
Miss SibIey at Fort Fairfield.

Miss Charlotte I. sibley of Belfast adj
dressed the Maine Congregational confer
ence in Fort Fairfield last Thursday even
ing, and was generously applauded both
on mounting and leaving the platform. A
report in the Bangor Commercial says:
She is we'll known in Fort Fairfield,
havlng lectured here several times. Be-
ing an ardent Endeavorer herself, Chris
tlan Endeavor To-day and Tomorrow,
naturally appealed to her feelings, and
her interest showed itself in a manner that
would permit no mere talking against
tlme. The style of the discourse was clear
ana lnclslve, its rhetoric being particular
~ neat and forceful The brevity of an
abstract like the following naturally dis
slpates most of the original symmetry and
beauty. Miss Sibleys address, in sub
stance, was as follows
GOD, the divine artist, is painting pic
lure OF righteousness to- day on the world
His canvas. Christian Endeavor is con
tnbuting something to that fair picture.
Endeavorers often make mistakes; we
sometimes receive and sometimes deserve
crltlclsm from wise and good men, yet on
the whole the Endeavor movement is
step onward and upward in the worlds
history. 1t is developing latent powers Of
usefulness in the young
lts growth has been unique. Twenty
members fifteen years ago, and more than
two and half millions to- day. But num-
pers are not always potent. We must in
qulre INTO the actual work accomplished
by Endeavorers ere we call this new move
ment truly great.
CHRISTIAN Endeavorers are interested in
missions. During the last year more than
seven thousand societies have given for
nome and foreign missions, through their
own denominational boards. and for other
oenevoiences, 1850, 172. 80. Four thousand
seven hundred dollars has been contrib
uIed by Maine Endeayorers alone during
TINS one year, Missions and good citizen
snip are perhaps the two most important
planks III our Christian Endeavor plat
form.
Our leaders are constantly emphasizing
the tact that it is the duty of the young
men III their ranks to go into politics be-
cause OF their country's need-never to
lose vote OF miss a caucus Most En-
! deayorers really believe that ''prayer
without patriotism is ike faith without
| works -
More than one million new members
nave been brought INTO our churches
| luIou9A l1e medium OF Christian En-
deavor, 929 during this last year in Maine
alone. Christian Endeavor is training its
adherents 70 speak more readily and more
helptnliy foI Christ's cause and is en-
! couraglng constant, not an intermittent.
| piety in the young
This organization is helping to promote
lnterdenominational fellowship and Chris
tan cooperation. I. seeks not uni
formity in creed, but charity in thought
and helpfulness in Christian activities.
Enthusiasm is a primary characteristic Of
| tndeaYorers, and enthusiasm can almost
make the impossible possible. Enthusi-
aSm means abounding lie. 1t is better to
| be fanatic than to he pllegmatic.
As an C'gear7 q christian Eudeavor
may some day dis ear; as a principle it
must forever endure. In the millennium
| the church, believe, will absorb all or
| CARNATIONS and direct al useful efforts:
but until the millenial morning dawns the
star of Christian Endeavor will lend its
light to our world and help men to believe
that, The earth is circling onward out
of shadow into light"