Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-06


on "God's Purpose in the Christian En-
deavor."
The Rev. Francis E. Clark. d. D., Of
Boston, founder OF the Christian En-
deavor Society, and its national presi-
dent, was the guest OF Wilmington
Union Friday afternoon and evening
Members of the union Joined the dis
tinguished visitor at dinner at the
Clayton House, and a large congrega-
tion greeted him ut the evening exer-
cisas in Hanover Church, where he
made an address.
Upon Father Clark's arrival in
this city in the afternoon, he went to
the residence Of the Rev. Charles +.
Hendricks, Fourth and Jefferson streets.
At o'clock he was given an informal
reception in ono OF the parlors Of tho
Clayton House, where he was intro
duced to Christian Endeavorere who
afterwards Joined him at dinner. The
Rev. William l.. Swartz presided at
the table. and among others present
we're: Mrs. Swartz, the Rev. and Mrs.
s. b. Meeser, the Rev. and Mrs.
Thomas J. Mason. the Rev. and Mrs.
w. A. Wallipg, the Rev. and Mrs. j.
II. Miligan, the Rev. and Mrs Lafayette
Marks, the Revs. Joseph b. Turner of
Dover, A. N. Keigwip, Thomas L.
Terry, NJ. /. Gates, William MacFar-
lane. Charles F. Hendricks and W.
Frederick Lewis, Judge Leonard L
Wales, Principal A. ii. Berlin, s. J
Horn, J. II. Burns. Merritt W. Hurley
Q. NJ. Leitch, W. B. Beckley, /.
Elmer Perry, William d. Griffith,
DIR. William G. Pierce, W. Scott
Vernon, Mrs. Turner Mrs Bacon,
Mrs. Perry, Mrs Taylor, Miss
Upton, Miss Anna I. Lincoln. Miss
Rebecea Stewart, Miss Lydia Pierce,
Miss Sallie r. Shaw, and Miss Deborah
j. Peacock.
Of the Christian Endeavor Society.
b. Turner, the Rev. Mr.. Meeser's sue
cessor as president of tho State society,
Judge Wales and A. H. Berlin.
The meeting in Hanover Church
brought out large congregation to
hear the father Of the Christian En-
deavor movement. song service was
conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Hendricks,
with II. Howard Carver as musical
director. When DR.. Clark appeared
the congregation rose, waved the Chris
tian Endeavor flags and handkerchief
and sang the State hymn. After the
reading Of the 9th Psalm and prayer
by the Rev. N. Ii. Miller OF Newark,
the Rev. Mr.. Swartz introduced DIR.
Clark.
In his preliminary remarks Father
Clark said that he brought greetings
from all parts Of the world. having re.
ceived them from the British, and from
Endeavorers Of China, Japan, India
and poor, distressed Turkey. He had
the handshake OF about 10, 900 hand
power, and his hand had been grasped
that often. with the words to carry
good cheer and good will, God speed
and Gods blessing TO tho Endeavorers
OF ali nations. M L.
Father Clark spoke principally upon
Gods Purpose in the Christian En-
deayorer. " He referred to the different
answers which might be given to such
question. The society might be to
arouse good citizenship, TO clear the
political atmosphere and to abolish
the saloon. Or it might be to encour-
ago missionary effort. Another great
object is the promotion Of good fellow
ship and bringing tho people OF all
denominations together on the common
ground of the Christian Endeayor
Union. But there is one great object,
beyond and embracing ali the others
and that is the deepening Of spiritual
life in the heart of young Christians.
The speaker recalled how. on Febru-
ary I'd, Is years ago, a small company
came together in minister's study at
Williston, Me. Things had been tried
to win the young people and they had
failed, so the Christian Endeayor
movement was started. Col had blessed
the experiment 1t had me because
God called it, and it had gone round
the world because God sent it. DR..
Clark spoke of the power that ono per-
son has, if he will only use it, to raise
the union to a higher plane than it has
ever occupied. A young man who ac-
companied The Behring Sea commission
10 Paris, organized nine Christian En-
deayor societies in that city. Accord.
ing to figures Dir. Clark had obtained
it appeared that rs per cent of members
of the Christian Endeavor societiea
attend the regular Sunday night SER
vices and 5S per cent attend the mid
week services. This proved that the
young people were faithful to their
church. Tho speaker closed with an
appeal to the young people to attend
TO their own spiritual life.
The Rev. S. B. Meeser, who recently
resigned tho presidency of the State
Union, paid high tribute to Dr..
Clark, and as a farewell request asked
the Christian Endeavorers to continue
in their labors in strong, enduring
and preserving manner.
The meeting closed, after some re-
marks by the new State president, the
Rev. J. b, Turner of Dover, with
benediction pronounced by the Rev. A.
N. heigwin.