Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-08
Its Birth Was on the River, but Its De-
veIOpInent Has Been Rapid
and Substantial.

societies, in addition to the officers of the
union, assumed general advisory capacity
with regard to Christian Endeavor affairs
in the District
and We're popular and helpful feature
Different sections of the city were selected
Tor holding these meetings, and an effort
was made not to go twice to the same
cnufch. but to divide the honorS as far as
possible. This effort was fairly successful
Tor awhile and after two or three seasons
the original practice of selecting a meeting
place one month In advance was changed
SO that a schedule was made out early in
the season of the churches in which the
mass meetings would be held. 1t was con-
sldered an honor for church to be selected
LOT union meeting, besides being of ap-
preciable value to the special society in
stimulating a greater interest among its
members Consequently, those in whose
ehaI re rested the task of arranging for the
monthly meetings We're literally supplied
with invitations from societies. and many
churches had to wait their turn two or
three seasons before their requests could be
gratitied.
AS the union increased in size and in
numerical strength. and the interest in the
mass meetings grew and the attendance
vas perceptibly augmented, it was deemed
advisable to hold the monthly services in
centrally located, large downtown church.
es, accessible from all parts of the city and
sunlclentiy roomy to accommodate the
crowds which always We're attracted by the
AZ
engaged to make the addresses
Durihs the first year mass meetings were
nelu In Georgetown in the extreme north
u the city at about the borders of LIE Droit
Tarh' IN south w Washington and on Capitol
FIN. The first of these, and conseauentIy
me nrst mass meeting of the union was
n neia IN the Congress Street Methodist
Protestant Church. January ~ $500 II
was opened with devotional exercises fol
lowing which brief addresses We're given by
speakers from sixteen of the local societies
on topics Of living interest in Christian
6ndeavor work. as follows: The Ideal
Prayer Meeting, Metropolitan Presbyter-
ian; The Ideal Conservation Meeting.
Luther Memorial; ''Testifying for Christ"
fo rs ~ S9n ns, Promoting a Love
lor the Bible, Ryland NJ. E.: Increasing
a Love for Prayer Mt Pleasant Congre-
gational; Promoting a Spirit of Cordial
Sociability." Church of the Covenant;
p Speakihg 10 Others About Jesus" Eastern
presbyterian: Looking After Absent Mem
oers, Congress Street NJ. P; influencing
associate Members to Be Decided Chris
tlans. Kendall Baptist; Cross Bearing for
ca Musical Talent, North Presbyterian:
Helping the Pastor" E Street Baptist:
Helping the Sabbath School," First Pres
pyterian; Visiting the Sick and Needy"
ohty Presbyterian Promising a Love for
Christ. Lincoln Memorial CONGREGATIONAL.
ana Personal Work. Vermont Avenue
Christian. This part of the service was
most interesting and helpful by reason of
the number of valuable suggestions thrown
OUT especially as the union was Young
ana the societies could well profit by the
points made by the various speakers
AT the early mass meetings the programs
were arranged with a view of aiding in the
internal development of the various So
ciet'es. The duties of the several commit
lees which exist in every society the man
ner of making the prayer meeting helpful
ana interesting, how to secure new mem
bers and hold old ones. and kindred topics
We're discussed by prominent local work
efs, and addresses by city pastors were
delivered on loyalty the several phases
and requirements Of the pledge enthusiasm
IN Christian service and like subjects.
Prominent Visitors.
AS the union grew speakers Of renown
from other cities were invited to address