The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-28

tered. for this convention coming sooner
than usual a full years report could not be
societies have failed to report for this con-
vention.
Numerically Considered
The third thing you should do on your
1882 societies of Christian Endeavor In the
state, and, taking each member as one
pound, the Indiana Christian Endeavor
Presbyterian, 1O64 Cumberland Presby-
terrain, 90 United Presbyterian, 1850 Chris
tan or Disciples, 551 Christian mot Dis
clples) Friends, 3,347 etc. Blanks TO Sc
cure statistics for this convention were sent
to every society in the State. AS said be-
have been through oversight on the part of
the corresponding secretary or due to the
lay changes which have been made in this
once, which is the only permanent office in
the society. The returned blanks show the
three denominations leading in number OF
societies to be Presbyterian, not including
Cumberland or United 1876 societies; Chris
tian or Disciples, III; Christian mot Dis
ciples) al. The banner district in number
Of societies is the Twelfth, composed of
Delaware, Madison, Randolph, Henry, Jay
and BlackfOrd counties. 1t has 100 societies,
weighing 4,452 pounds. The state union has
grown at the rate of four new societies a
week. AT the same time this year has been
a clearing-up time Some corresponding
secretaries in sending in their figures have
written: You will find that we report fewer
numbers, but that is because we have
cleaned out the list, so that all members
reported are live members This same
method has been pursued by county and dis
trict secretaries, SO that when the new rec
ord for 1898 is finally made it may record
smaller numbers. but it will be the witness
of only permanent, living societies. And
that is one Of the most promising features
of Christian EndeaVor that it is settling
down into steady, business-like Christianity
that grows in reality every day, and that
assures d continual advancement till we all
come in the unity of the faith and the
knowledge of the Son of God into perfect
floA Of rot ut
fullness of Christ
When Miss Mason finished speaking the
convention was at fine pitch of enthusl-
asm. Some Of the statistics were compiled
on entirely new lines.
DR.. f. G. Heath was not able to be here
this morning, and consequently the report
of the master of transportation was read
by Miss Mason 1t told simply of the rou-
tine business of the year with the rall-
roads which seem to have no appreciation
of the Christian Endeavor Union that leads
to many courtesies.
Rev. Dr. Little, of Wabash announced
that the president would deliver his mes
sage. The enthusiasm awakened by Miss
Mason was still alive and Rev. DR.. kapp
was given a rousing reception. DR.. Kapp
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Indiana for Christ has been the watch
word of our Endeavor host year after year
For this we have prayed; to this end we
have labored and we are here gathered to-
gether that we may help each other in the
work in the year to come. We thank God
for the progress that has been made. We
rejoice that in the struggle for the
right the Endeavorers have done
valiant service. We know it is true of
many churches. we trust it is true of all
where a Christian Endeavor Society has
been organized that there is more activ
ity and enterprise than ever in the past.
Many of the prayer meetings and other
services of the church have been greatly
helped, and the regular work of the church
has found willing workers. 1t is the earnest
wish of the executive committee to assist
in this great work. To this end Immediately
at the close of our last convention in Mum
Gle, the executive committee was called and
plans laid for the coming year. A letter
was ADDRESSED to each of the societies call
ing special attention to our several depart
ments and suggesting plans whereby the
societies might do better work for the Mas
ter. We are glad to note that in each de-
partment there has been very decided
progress The Junior, Missionary and
Christian Citizenship departments have
each received fresh impetus by the activity
of the various superintendent. We are be-
coming more and more a trained host the
work of the past years has told in giving
us a. more efficient corp of laborers. Many
of the workers who were identified with
the movement in the beginning are still ac-
tive members and have become thoroughly
schooled. The result of these years of serV
ice is manifeSting itself in a growing in
terest in missions, in a recognition of the
value and Importance of the junior work
and in being more watchful bold and ag
gressive in the Christian citizenship work.
During the year many of the EndeaVorers
did excellent service in this latter cause
THE whole State was honored by the
faithful work done by the Endeavorers of
our capital city, as result of which the
banner for the best work done in the Chris
tian citizenship was awarded them by the
International convention at San Francisco.
So, looking over the work of these past
years, we are glad to note that the state
ment, Indiana for Christ has not been
a mere call, born in the enthusiasm of
ton Dr11 lnff 1in Y,1iH fhr ton
work of everyday life. We have at least
done something to make our State a COM
mOnWealth where the name of Christ shall
be supreme in the homes of the people, in
the social circle in municipal government
and the halls of legislation.
FURTHER WORK.
Our task is far from being accomplished
as yet. There are many, very many N ev-
cry community unsaved, the saloon has
been curbed, not yet destroyed, Gods holy
day is dshonored, His name blasphemed,
sin abounds everywhere But though there
is much to lament and deplore, though here
and there we have suffered reverses and
sin is triumphant, in all this there is no
cause for encouragement, but only for
deeper conservation and more earnest serv-
ice. Indeed, it is to that every Christian
EndeaVOrer is pledged. Christian EndeaVor
means whOle-hearted service for the Mas
ter and if we would accomplish our pur-
pose must ever keep that in the fore
front, both in our individual lives and in
the local society. Our danger lies in los
ing sight of that or making it less impera-
tive or lowering thought concerning
it. / do not believe that we are in danger
of putting the social or literary feature up
permOst but in consenting to a form of
piety that lacks in intensity and earnest
ness, in loyalty and conScientiOuSneSS. There
is that form of Christianity, alas, altOgeth-
er too common, that thinks of religion as
simply something to enjoy or satisfy the
conscience and believes itself quite up to all
requirements 1t considers that when it has
attended the service of the church, con-
tributed to the general expenses, that it has
done its full duty. We need better type
of piety; love Tor Christ and mankind
that will lead to service and devotion to
our Lord. 1t is this earnest consecrated
service for which we plead and pray, that
every Endeavorer may give in his church. 1
cannot do better than to quote from Gov.
State: The church needs more positive and
fewer negative quantities. More Christians
who are governed by conscience and
fewer who are controlled by policy.
The church needs more soldiers for battle
and fewer for dress parade.
I'VE can never win the State for Christ
by the type of Christianity that contents
itself with mere church going as being it's
whole duty, with that type that is half
world. half-ChriSt, or that type that knows
nothing of self-denial or self-sacrifice. No,
that will give us a church that simply eX-
lists. not a world-conquering army. l re-
jOice that the EndeaVOr movement stands
more positively to-day than ever before if
that is possible for a thoroughly conse-
Grated and aggressive spirit. If we have
that we shall have power, courage, bold
ness and tine loving and attractive life that
wins. When we became members of a
Christian EndeaVOr Society ii was not sim
ply 10 enjoy its fellowship, but TO give our