Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-10
Alleged Attempt to Abolish Church
Lines Through That Agency.
ENGAGING TEE ATTENTION OF LEADERS
Opinions of Prominent Churchmen
Upon the Subject.
THE ISSUES OUTLINED

Among the important questions now en-
gaging the attention of the leaders of the
Christian EndeaI or movement and other
church work, not only in this city, but
throughout the United States as well. is
that relating to the alleged disposition on
the part of some who constitute the direct
ing force of the Christian Endeavor So
cieties to convert the organization from an
interde1ominational to an undenomina-
tional body. 1t is also charged by the ad-
herents of some churches that the ten
dency of the action referred to is to weaken
the allegiance Of the young people to their
respective denominations, and to make the
Christian Endeavor Society the paramount
subject of their devotion.
This fear has prompted the organization
OF several young peoples societies a
strictly UNCONVENTIONAL basis, and some of
these societies have had very large
growth. In the Presbyterian churches the
EFFORT has been made to organize the young
people in Westminster leagues, these So
cieties to be maintained and conducted
under strictly Presbyterian auspices and
along Presbyterian lines. The formation of
these Leagues has met with much greater
favor in the southern Presbyt erian churches
than in those of the north in fact a prop
csition to secure an Endorsement or recon-
mendation of the Westminster leagues from
t tne last northern general assembly was de-
1eatad by large majority. In the south
ern general assembly a similar proposition
was adopted.
Subject of Discussion,
The whole question, both for and against
the Christian Endeavor societies, has re-
Gently become subject of widespread dis
cnssion In the papers representative of
various religious bodies. 1t is argued on
the ore side that the Christian Endeavor
Society. which began as an interdenomina-
tional movement, may end in becoming an
unuenOmiDatiOnaI
dlspiace the religious bodies with which
these young people are connected.
Among those in Washington who have
given the subject serious consideration are
Rev. Dr. F. D. Power pastor of the Yer
mont Avenue Christian Church and presi-
dent of the National Missionary Society:
ME- Cornelius Eckhardt. treasurer of the
Luther League of America. and Mr. Miles
NJ. Shand, former president of the District
Chrlstlan Endeavor Union.
DIR. Powers Views.
DIR. Powers said to Star reporter in a
recent interview:
My acquaintance with Christian En-
deavor from it's begi1 ming has led me more
and more to regard it as a God-given and
God-blessed movement for the special
needs of our time. / can bear witness to
the increasing loyalty and helpfulness of
my own local society. Instead of loosening
in any sense the hold of the church upon
and giving them an interdenominatolnaI
fellowship that has been refreshing and
useful, it has made them all the more ap-
preclative OF their own church relations
and of the principles for which the disciples
stand as 4 religious body. Nothing in this
intercourse of young Christians with each
other has, so far 1 have observed, af-
tected their church loyalty, nor is there
anything in Christian Endeavor to warrant
the fear that such will ever be the case:
but II 1t leads Gods people to know and
love each other better, to realize what a
common work and common inheritance are
to the common enemy, Christ will be hon
ored, and all true lovers of Christ must
rejoice"
The Luther Leagues.
Mr. Cornelius Eckhardt, treasurer of the
Luther League of America, said:
Il regard the UNCONVENTIONAL organiza-
ton of young people just as necessary and
essential to the welfare of the church as
the various boards of the church. and par
ticularly that of home missions. The future
of the Lutheran Church, and any other
church for that matter, is centered in the
young people. and / fail to see how as is
often claimed, that INSTRUMENTATION
work can possibly make the young more
loyal to their own church. As president of
the Luther League of ST. Marks Church
OF this city. i am thoroughly convinced
that our young people have been more 10y
al, and will continue SO, because of their
membership in the above named organiza-
ton.
"A years work, as compared with other
organizations of INSTRUMENTATION
character, has fully demonstrated this fact,
and / am more than ever convinced that
the UNCONVENTIONAL organization is the best
for the Lutheran Church.
A Work to Do.
''In its present divided condition we have
together which cannot be done in any
other way than by the young people, and
this naturally must be through their own
UNCONVENTIONAL organizations. Since the
organization of the Luther League of Amer
lea, at Pittsburg in October. 1895. we have
enrolled upward of 10000 members, and
many of our people who were ardent sup
porters of the Christian Endeavor move
ment entertain the same views as were ad-
vanced by a writer In the Presbyterian
Journal referred to as having appeared in
the Literary Digest, with the exception,
however, that they do not think it too late,
and this is evidenced by the ever increasing
II. membership.
THE Lutheran Church has been one Of
Christian Endeavor from its organization,
brought about by the reformation of the
sixteenth century, and will continue so to
the end Of time"
Opposition Recognized.
MIR. SShaSndS views are as follows:
During tine sixteen years of its existence
there has always been. there is now, and
there DOUBTLESS will continue to be, consid-
siderable opposition to the Christian En-
Geavor movement.
Some of this opposition is honest and
sincere, coming, as it does, from men who
have given the subject much attention,
ard who really believe the dangers from
Christian Eideavor are many and great;
some of il comes from men who have little
IL owledgc of Christian Endeavor princi-
Piles, and it is surprising how much igno-
rar &c upon this subject exists; while some
opposition, sad to relate, emanates from
IL Csc whose attitude and criticism is, to
put it mildly, captious.
Il have enjoyed excellent opportunities
for studying the Christian Endeavor and
UNCONVENTIONAL movements, and it is my
decided conviction that Christian Endeavor
in its principles. is truly UNCONVENTIONAL
any Organization that exists in the
church at the present time.
Accepting its principles, it's members
pledge loyalty to their own church and to
their own denomination just as plainly and
strongly as can possibly be required In any
purely UNCONVENTIONAL society. This loyal
ty 20 ones own church and denomination
is cons family being urged by the leaders of
Christian Endeavor.