Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-22
THE q. ~. CONTENTION.


by the Kew. 8. Ii. Meeser.
The Worcester Daily Spy OF October
7th contained copy OF a paper by the
Rev. S. B. Meeser. on "What the COM
ing convention ought to be,' which
attracted much attention in Worcester.
The Endsavorers Of Wilmington are
always gla'i to receive something from
Mr.. Meeser, and az mis- contribution
would be very helpful at this time, it
is again copied, as follows:
This century has witnessed some OF
the mightiest religious movements in
the history. of Christianity. The
organization of the Sunday school,
missionary extension, Young Mems
Christian Associations, Salvation Army,
Women's temperance work, and last,
though not least, the Young Peoples
Society OF Christian Endeavur,is sign
of the intense religious activity of the
age, But the mightiest movement of
them all is yet to come. 1t is In a
sense new movement--the vitalization
and the deepening of the spiritual
intent and force of all the movements.
1t is spiritual movement, the en-
towering of all the organizations. 1t
has been the hope and prayer of DR..
Clark, and has been his theme of labor
for the year past. We should have our
part in realizing this end.
+, The convention should be:
l. Not merely big. Numbers is not
the problem of Christian Endeavor
now. 1t has terrific momentum of
growth outwardly. 1t needs the growth
inward. We can afford to leave that
to God, while we cultivate the ethical
and spiritual within those we have. We
should aim not 30 much for the biggest
convention, but the deepest in spiritual
feryor.
2. Not merely enthusiastic. That is
not merely hurrah. congratulation and
singing. We may create superficial
enthusiasm. We need the enthusiasm
which comes from the real touch with
the real Christ present with US. There
may be tidal wave of enthusiasm
which will leave us stranded high on
the shore of indifference. We need the
ocean of enthusiasm which is the vast
domain of Gods presence. Into loving
touch with God we must come. We do
not want the fire which burns US up,
but the fire of God, which burns with
out consuming US,
The convention should be
/. Full of true ideas and high ideals.
The bane Of young peoples service
often ia thouehtlessness heedlessness.
We want Gods ideas and Christie
ideals, No one should present himself
to,speak who has not got q message
from God. He will be false prophet.
No one should lower the ideal for a
moment for the sake of his SUCCESS
or to glorify Christian Endeavor.
Nothing less than what would please
Christ should we offer. Ideas and
ideals are constant aids to enthusiasm
they are the unfailing sources Of noble
conduct
2. Full of spiritual power. Ideas
alone are not enough. We ought TO be
filed with the spirit. We ought ia
have from God the spiritual power, We
must be in touch with the whole
resource of heaven. We should implore
the divine power. He is more willing
to give the Holy Spirit than we are to
ask. Constapcy and effectiveness arise
from the indwelling spirit of God.
8. Full OF reverence. We must re-
member that the convention is not a
meeting together Of young people, but
meeting of the young people with
God. 1t is high, holy place before
God to which We are to come. Rever-
ence does not exclude enthusiasm. II
does not mean sournese and long
visage. Neither is 1t sanctimonious
nor what we with contempt call piety.
1t means to recognize God; God
present God listening, God speaking.
and that while We are in his presence
waiting on Him, no unkoly thought
should be entertained and no frivolous
word spoken.
4. Full of new conservation, not
general, but specific conservation. Not
~ consecrate myself"-but 81 conse-
crate myself to mission work, to the
foreign field, to the home field, to the
church service, to my home, to the sick,
to the unsaved ones, &C., We should
think a definite service. Ask not
whether GOD will have US do some
thing, but iwhat definite service. Par
ticularize Listen to Gods call, that
you may know what certain thing you
can do.
One society from one church can
come ablaze with spiritual fire and
turn the convention into confiagra-
tion Of Christly zeal. Who will try it?
Every one! We must be prepared to
give our hearts to it. The preparation
Is spiritual; not all machinery. We
must have organization, but We must
have power to run it or it will stand
still Let us pray God for the con-
vsntion that it may be the mightiest in
spiritual power ever held in this
or any State. Let us be in receptive
loe ii