Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-08

I:ev. q. b. Bnsby.
deavor movement in this city by its bril-
liant record, fitting recognition of which
was made at prior international con-
vention.
During the winter of 1S90-'9l two or three
junior societies of Christian Endeavor were
formed in this city. and the following year
witnessed the organization of several
others. The first society was that connect
ed with the Calvary Baptist Church, and it
came into existence in November. 1890. In
March, 1881, the Church of the Covenant
followed the example thus set and other
churo hes stepped into line. But there was
no united work, and the superin tendents,
as q rule, did not know each other.
In the spring of 1892 there was q call
for the juniors of the city to meet at the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, to
hear DR.. F. f. Clark. organizer of the
Christian Endeavor movement and his ad
dress. listened to by very many who We're
not Juniors, awakened these older ones to
realization OF the force which had been
silently developing in their midst. and
deepened In them a sense of their reSpon-
sibility to their younger members
1t was too late that season, however, to
accomplish anything for united effort of
junior " orkerS, but in the fall of 1S.,2 upon
superintendent of the New York Avenue
Junior Society, number of junior super
intendents met in that church to discuss
methods by which the work might be i'm
proved, AND the ACCESSIBILITY of the forma-
ton OF Junior union, for which the cir
cumstances seemed propitous. 1t was de-
cided to hold junior rally; at a suisse
quent meeting a program vas arranged
and in November, 1892, the second Junior
rally was held-the first one occurring in
the spring of the year, addressed by DIR.
Clark-ore of the results of which was
a growing activity In junior work.
But between the time of preparation and
the actual participation in the rally on
November IL, 1892, at the residence of
Miss Mary V. Fenwick, a junior union was
formally organized. constitution adopted
and officers elected.
1t seemed peculiarly fitting that its first
president should come from the church in
which the first Junior society had been or
ganiZed two years before-Truman J. Glow
er of the Calvary Baptist Church. Miss e.
{. Clephane was chosen vice president
Miss L. NJ. Glass. recording secretary; Miss
Estelle Foster, corresponding Rotary, and
Mrs. H. Thurston, treasurer.
This was the beginning of organized eff
fort to advance the interests of junior
work in the District. What was accom-
plished by the Junior union during it's first
year was felt throughout the District
Monthly meetings of the superintendent
were held in the parlors of the Calvary
Baptist Church. where papers We're read
upon subjects of the deepest interest to
those who attended them, junior work and
methods were discussed and systematic
and aggressive campaign for the extension
OF the work was planned and vigorously
executed. Notices of the rallies ard month
ly meetings of the superintendent were
sent to the city pastors, Sunday school su-
perintendents and presidents of Christian
Endeavor societies, and circular letters
were sent to the parents of the juniors.
Literature was also distributed among the
pastors of churches not having junior So
cieties.
Three junior rallies were held during the
season, the interest seeming to grow with
each one. Grown folks found them at
tractive and from the galleries watched
the bands of children as they marched in,
singing, to their places. The first rally af-
ter the organization of the union held in
November. 1892, in the Calvary Baptist
Church, was well attended and successful
Rev. DR.. S. H. Greene. the pastor of the
church, welcomed the bright-faced happy
juniors. and a response was made by one
of their number, after which there were
various interesting exercises, in which the
boys and girls took part concluding with
a talk by President Foster of the senior
union.
This marked the beginning of a period of
remarkable growth, both in numbers and
interest. New societies We're organized in
all parts of the city. and at the next rally
held in January, 1893, in the First Congre-
gational Church. in connection with the
District convention. both the number of
societies and the membership had almost
doubled. At this meeting. occurring the
second day of the first annual convention
well filled with Christian Endeavor work
ers-the juniors occupying nearly all the
fioor-and they were impressed with the as
| tonishing results attained and the promis-
ing field of work. A large number of
junior societies were organized within the
succeeding two or three months.
The third rally was held in the Mt. Yer
non Place NJ f. Church. and between four
and five hundred juniors were present not
withstanGing the fact that it was raining
almost necessarily at the time of the meet
ing. An interesting account of successful
committee work in raising money for the
Children's Hospital was given by one of
the members, the roll call was very encour-
aging, and several societies reported addi-
lions to the church from the ranks of the
juniors.
A junior choir of more than forty voices
trained by Miss Glass, the unions secre-
tary, and an energetic worker, sang at
each of these rallies.
But beside the two lines of effort being
pursued-helping junior workers and helm
ing juniors themseves-the union was also
carrying on most vigorous campaign in
third direction-that of organizing new
societies As result of this work, the
juniors and superintendent especially and
all Endeavorers in the city, were reioiced
to read the message flashed over the wires
In July. 1888. that the District of Columbia
had captured the banner at Montreal for
the largest proportionate increase of Junior
societies during the preceding wear. II
was proud day for the juniors then The
piiHe was hrst eSnlpited publicly in the
city at a mass meeting held in the CaIvarr.
Baptist Church, the birthplace of the Dis.
tricts first Junior society September ~
lS!t', at which time the formal presentation
was made to the junior union through Mr.
Glover, its president.
During its second year the union was
guided on its successful course by the fol-
lowing officers: President j. l.. Davis. Voc
president. Miss r. c. Clephane: recording
secretary. Miss l.. NJ. Glass: corresponding
secretary. Miss NJ. V. Fenwick; treasurer
Mrs II. Thurston. Mr. Glover had been
eiocied to a second term as president of the