The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-09


There is no other body in the country
Ike that of the Young Peoples Society of
Christian Endeavor 1t is strictly re-
Hgious organization. but 1t is the best ex-
emplification OF muscular Christianity
that ever appealed to robust piety. There
is nothing sanctimonious about its MEN,
bers or snivehng about its methods. 1t
unites good fellowship with Christian
brotherhood. with no affectation OF man
ner. speech or action.
The description given by the Rev. Mr..
Temple of the trip 10 San Francisco is
written in the tone common 10 the mem
bership, and there is no other religious
fraternity which goes TO a convention
with college yell and whoop. The war
cry of the Spokane Club: Who can? We
Can. Spokane, Wash, Wash, wash" is
not only funny. but is vastly superior TO
the ordinary run Of baseball club and col
lege yells which are. indeed. frequently
idiotic. The Colorado delegation also has
yell which must be very effective when
uttered by a large body.
more than any other organization to bring
into the ranks of a Christian society young
men and young women. and especially
young men. who are ordinarily disnclined
TO be regarded as good in the sense of
being pioIs. There are some things which
no amount OF argument will change, and
one of them is the suspicion and
even dislike which attaches to too
many young men who assume TO
be leaders III church work. Pastors
know this. if they know anything
Of the world. and young men who are not
protesting Christians. although they may
be good enough as the world goes. also
know 1t. Although the Christian Endeav-
orers have been the most successful in
the new departure. other organizations
are awakening to the difficulty which they
really have 10 overcome. The establish
ment Of athletic clubs by the Y. VI. c. A.
for instance. has done much to impart a
manler tone TO the members of that body
When. in order to be an acceptable
member of a church organization, il
is TO longer necessary 10 wear a
sanctlmonious look and speak with nasal
twang. when young man feels
that he is no longer derided because
no is an active church worker or a
sunday school teacher. ii Will be a great
deaf better for the churches, and We shall
not hear that wall about the worIdliness
Of the present generation. Men with fifty
years Of experience. in Engiish-speaking
countries. at least, are aware that there
has been a great Improvement in the
morals OF the average young man. The
number OF those who are addicted 10 in
toxicating drinks in an excessive decree
is much smaller, and the experience of
physicians Is that there is much less un-
healthineSs due TO preventab.e causes than
there used 10 be. and the number Of stall
wart Christians who do not belong to
churches is greater
The chief cause Of this change is the
realization by many pastors Of the fact
thatall that Is worldly is not vicious Their
are songs which SIRE harmless. a,thoush
they axe not hymns agnusements which
are not SINFUL. although they are not
strictly In the line Of church work. Dane
lag is no longer condemned as It used 10
De- nor is whist regarded as On occapa-
lion invented 10y the devil. There nsvcr
1a- cme who's flirting could be entire
g. prevented. even 1y the most rigid
di~e.p .iT4lF.an aud In me mos; Puritan
communities. eut IT was regarded as sin
~ jhe mistaken judgment ~ ministers.
II was 4rnos1. e. 70 cce y-ir.-a ,-os.r,.~ ,...,