Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-08
The DISTRICT CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR UNION

convention prior to the actual adoption Of
the practice was an all-day mass meeting
or rather one whole day given up to three
Christian E.ndeavOr sessions held in the
First Congregational Church in December
1880. 1t was at this time that General
Secretary John Willis Baer first made his
acquaintance with the District EIndeavor-
ers he has since come to regard so highly
and of whose representative workers he
has so freely spoken in sincere terms of
glowing communication. The day began
with the characteristic early-morning
prayer meeting, led by Mr. Baer An after
noon session was held. Mr.. Baer making
the address. In the evening q reception
was rendered the general secretary and
Rev. A. f. Fulton, missionary in China
both of whom afterward delivered stirring
addresses at an enthusiastic meeting held
at the close of The reception Mr. Baer on
The Ideal Christian Endeavorer-In Re
lallon 70 the Local Work of a Society,""
and Rev. Mr.. Fulton on THE Ideal Chris
tlan Endeavorer-In Relation to the Work
of Missions"
Toward the close of the calendar year
l>'2, the union having increased in size
ard strength in an encouraging degree
the proposition to hold yearly conventions
was again preached and for some time was
the subject of earnest consideration After
thorough discussion it was the mature de-
cision of the executive committee that
such feature would undoubtedly proye
most beneficial to the union the plan was
nearby inuorsed and arrangements imme-
dateiy begun for the first convention
Inc First COnS1t gattonal Church whose
cors nave heen Slways open for public or
bl Siness meetings Of the union was the
place selected for the first annual cOnven-
ton, and the dates of he meetings were
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Jaruary ~
2S and -. 1898 President Foster nraside5
at the opening sessio1, mainly given up TO
actresses Of welcome ard a discussion NJ
phases of Christian Endeavor work. A
pastors hour was conducted at the close Of
nearly twenty-five local ministers Treas
rrer William Shaw Of the united society
v as present at this first convention an1
took part in its sessions. The convention
vas ehinently successful. the subjects for
discussion proved helpful to oil uork.rr
who attended, the addresses were insnirit
ing and the closing conservation service
conducted by Mr. Matthew Walker. presi-
uth' OF the West Philadelphia Union. was
a croWning and impressive feature
Three other annual conventions have
SINCE s been hcid. The last and most SUCCESS
iul one which occurred in January is still
hesh IN the memory of the 1000 E,ndea v,r-
efs VINO crowded Central Hall at its SOS
sons DR.. Clark and Secretary Raer nar.
Hcth active participants in the eyerrisoe
ana u was at this local convention that tho
hrst JOINT meeting of all the auxiliary com
mittees for tie present international gath
eilhS was held. and the members undar
Or Clarks guidance consacrated tb,ir
tihle. thoughts and energies to the graat
work before them.
Dividing the Work
Ihera are at present six committees
among which the work of the union is
divided, namely, the lookout missionary.
good citizenship, music, press and CORE
srondeLce committees. When the union
was launched there were but two the mis-
sionary and mass meeting committees
Ne" societies were then admitted upon
q. a ion 70 fI..
oW 1t Is one of the duties OF the Iookout
committee TO acoaaint tine various evan