The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-07

atty 10 tnelr own anu CHuTcU Will
prove irresistibly the value OF our society.
What a JOY TO find SO many such societies
in every little trip! our great increase
would have been impossible without them
and these societies themselves must be
accounted our mightiest force for Christ
and the church.
TWELVE LOCAL UNIONS.
We have twelve cities in our state of
over 5000 people each, and local unions
in all Of them. Philadelphia and Pitts
burg lead by great numbers, but are not
ahead of many others for enthusiasm ana
efficient work. County unions exist IN
over sixty counties and everywhere do
remarkable work. Their conventions are
really great meetings of surprising wealth
of local workers and leaders.
Our state departments, of which you
will hear more fully from their able ana
consecrated superintendents, We're all or.
ganized this year. The superintendent CT
Junior work has given herself unwearled-
ly to the work. Junior organization Is be-
ing perfected in our city unions, anu there
will soon be among us Il wonderful army
of Christian children, thousand compa-
MES strong.
The Department of Good Citizenship was
organized by the executive committee
meeting at Harrisburg, and Philip Y. pen-
dleton, esq, of Pittsbzurg, young Jaw
Yer of unusual experience as editor, lay
preacher and organizer. accepted appoint
ment as first superintendent. Ills circue
lar was u classic upon this subject, OF
finest literary finish. cearest exposition
and phiosophic discrimination. 1t Is de-
servedly most highly commended and pub
lished in part in the Golden Rule since
then Mr.. j. +. Hartman and now Rev. ~
Il, Philputt, ID. D., have been doing conf
manding work in good citizenship.
Still later, at Cleveland, in executive
committee, the Department of Mission-
AIRY Extension was formed and Miss Fran
ces NJ. Schuyler, of Wiliamsport. ap-
t,.iy tad GpSt N Tor, hn
extraordinary compliments for her encr-
gy and wisdom in pushing this great in
terest. Now Rev. W. S. Hinman is the
efficient leader this year. The keystone
sive work. All honor to Editor Hartman
and Publisher Nalette! Give them now
your largest possible subscription lists.
The district secretaryship Is feature
of our state organization which State Sec
retary Mcdonald has brought to higher
efficiency than ever before. The district
secretary represents the State union in bis
county or counties and forms medium
for rapid communication with all the
workers. He Is the organizer, waiting Tor
invitations from any pastor or church to
start society upon the approved and
tested foundations. The state is now
covered with this live net work, simple.
effective, and burdening no one but one
indefa,igabe and tireless state secretary.
His work. however, Is Herculean and he
must have help.
THE BEST SOCIETY.
From my post of observation of the
actual workings of Christian Endeavor
over the state, with all its varied popula-
tions and denominations in city, town. or
country village, | believe that Christian
Endeavor Is the best society for every de-
nomination and for every church EN-
clusively UNCONVENTIONAL societies do good
but the Christian EndeavOr still more even
to the local church and denomination. and
a work in general which to the others is
impossible A good thing so often stands
in the way of a better or the best. 1.-THE
good Is the enemy of the best" is pro-
found German proverb widely Illustrated
by these sectarian societies which so un-
accOuntably and blindly reject the Chris
tian EndeavOr.
Our society commits its leadership ex-
pressly into the hands of Christ. We
promise Him that We will do whatever He
would have us do, and most wonderfully
He has accepted this leadership. We say
1t reverently that this part of our pledge
elects Christ the President of every local
society. Chairman of its lookout, prayer
meeting, social and every other commit
tee. 1t puts Him at the head of this great
convention, and of the whole movement.
He has .marvelously led us. From the
Alpha, which was the little society in
Maine. up the glorious steps of progress.
The A, b. G of the Christian life is: A,
asking of God: b. believing in Christ: G,
confessing Him. From these Christ leads
to D-dong all We can for Him and the
church. This motto for Christ and the
Church, is itself of inspiring significance.
Take it in historic setting into recent
Christian work. 1t reunited Christ-like
enthusiasm and aggressive evangelism
with the church. Brings these back into
the church. For strange as it is, it is a
fact that for a long time the best Gospel
church.
CHRIST IN THE CHURCH.
Christ in the church doing His deepest
and brOadest service to humanity. Into
the church, His own institution, our
Christian EndeavOr brings its full conse-
Grafton. Its cultivated power. its new
methods of work, and it's pure and Christ
like spirit. What all of this fully signify
to the advance of Chrst's kingdom who
can desc!ibe? You will hear more fully
during this convention.
We accept, therefore, your gracious and
hearty welcome to Scranton. We are glad
to come into fellowship with a people so
eminently philosophical We believe
your homes will be blessed by entertaining
these messengers of God, angels, but
every human in flesh and bones. fun of
life and fun, while deeply earnest in Gods
be helped We all look forward to that
Divine welcome when the King and Judge
upon the great white throne shall receive
all His own who from every quarter of the
Nloit tuIlH Sldll Dt before HIM.
Then shall all the young people sing once
more as they do in great conventions.
Bringing in the sheaves
We shall come rejoicing;
Bringing In the sheaves.
"The Irrepressible Raymore" was the
way the chairman characterized the
state treasurer when he arrived to read
his report. When Mr.. Raymore re-
ferred to the balance in hand and said
he had in his pocket, someone in the
rear of the house asked, Silver or
gold?" Cold" he replied with en-
phasis. and there was a general burst
of applause and laughter
Rev. II. II. Spanger ID. D., the learn
ed and eloquent president of the Re-
formed Church college at Collegeville,
Pa. delivered the address of the even
ing. His theme was "The Presence of
Christ In the Convention" He sad
DIR. sPANGLER'S ADDRESS.
The mystery of Christ's divine.human
personality Is incomprehensible. We know
that He Is very man, for He lived among
men and focused the worlds history i'm His
own career. We know that He is very
God, Tor lie continues to manifest Himself
as q personal, subduing, transiigiring
power both in His church and the life of
the world.
With respect to His human nature He
IS no more on earth. for in the sight of
HIS disciples He was taken up from the
earth into heaven and continues there fer
our interest until He shall come again to
Judge the quick and the dead while they
beheld He was taken up (Acts. /. 81 He
went into the presence of His Father
there to plead our cause, there to prepare
place for us. there to sit upon the thIbne
of Gods power to govern all things Be
fore His departure. however. He gave to
His disciples the majestic promise, "Lo,
of the world" Matt.. xviii, 2O). He van
ished from their sight only as to His body.
He Himself remains. He Is with us, mot
as a mere celestial Statute. not as a mere
Idea or Abstraction" but as a Real Pres
ence. The | am whose presence was an
nounced to Moses by the Burning Bush.
the Christ to whom at His resurrection
was given all authority in heaven and on
EARTH is still in the world
HE was with the Eleven and the more
than five hundred. He was with the Chris
tians of Rome and Corinth and Galatia
and Ephesus and Phillippi and Colosse and