The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-10
TRIUMPHS OF
ENDEAvORERS.
Wonderful Progress Reported at
the San Francisco Convention.
THERE ARE SIXTEEN THOUSAND
DELEGATES IN ATTENDANCE.
PRESIDENT CLARK AND sECRE-
TARY BAER MAKE ADDRESSES.
THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP IS
NOW THREE MILLIoN-THE WIN
NERS. OF THE BANNERS.

tiona' Christian Endeavor convention be-
gan here to-day. Sixteen thousand dele
gates were present.
Preside ut Clark, in his annual address,
said in part: "Iou can readily perceive
why this year have chosen for the SUP
ject CT my annual message the theme, "A
World Ercircling Religious Movement;
How Shall it Fulfil Gods Design
cat the :. Invitation of friends and in
obedience to the call of God, as believe,
have: during the last year been journey
ing in many lands. among many people
who speak many tongues. These jour
neys il behalf of Christian Endeavor have
carried me more than 10000 miles, to
more than score of peoples, who speak
nearly as many languages. One factor
have found constant lin all these lands;
have found Christian Endeavor princi-
pies everywhere the same-the same
pledge, the same conservation meeting,
the Same general lines OF effort for the
Master called committee work; the ut
most diver sity in unessential details. the
utmost similarity of purpose in essential
principles.
- Societies that are rs widely separated
in miles and manner as the Bengalis.
who live in the swamps Of Gauges, and
the Kafllrs on the uplands of Africa, from
the Endeavorers of the Golden Gate and
the Alameda, have subscribed to the
same.covenant pledge, and, better still,
are keeping it.
81 have attended conventions since last
met you liz the Metropolitan Tabernacle
OF London and in the Beels of Bengal; in
st. Andrews Hall of Glasgow. and in
the ancient capital of the Puniab; among
our Irish Endeavorers in Belfast, and on
the sunburnt plains of Southern India;
in crowded Berlin. and on the lonely
tablelands of the Transvaal; among tie
Alps OF Switzerland, and on the vast
veldt OF the Orange Free State; in sea-
2irt Stockholm, and in the Aaroo of
South Africa; IN lordly Paris, and in
quiet Wellington; in the Cape of Good
Hope, made sacred to many of YOU by
the life and labors of Andrew Murray
and his associates; and everywhere, amid
AL these diversities of custom and cos
tune, OF manners and methods, of Ian
gnage and laws, have found that the
Christian Endeavor ideals are substan-
italy the same
Moreover, the peoples whom have
seen have been of diverse creeds and
views of religious truth. All, to be sure,
have acknowledged the supremacy of
Jesus Christ as the very Son of God and
the only Saviour of lost sinners; all have
accepted the Bible as the Word of God,
and the Holy Spirit as the sane ifier,
comforter and guide--in such soil only
can Christian Endcavor flourish.''
Mr.. Clark then adnionished the En-
deavorers co be faithful to their cardinal
principles, "The World Cor Christ The
Nation for Christ. The Family for
Christ MYSELF for Christ"
Secretary Baer said in his report:
since last we met our organization has
been swelled by 5000 new societies. Re
Joice with exceeding JOY, for the world
wide enrolment is now 80, TAT local socie-
ties What swift ana mighty flood.
In 1881, one society and ffty-seven mem
bers In 1897, 50,7S0 societies and IA to-
tai membership of 100000.
"Of its large tributary State and pro.
vincial streams in this country that have
over. l,00O local societies Pennsylvania
still leads with 8, 433; New York, 800:
Ohio, 1883, Illinois has now passed to
the fourth place, with 2,013; Ontario,
1888; Indiana, 1887; Iowa, 1896, and
Michigan, with 1,071, for the first time
IS entitled to place in this class. These
figures do not include the junior socie-
ties, with their boys and girls, the inter.
mediate societies with their lads and las
sizes, the senior and mother societies for
the fathers and mothers and those who
IN years are no longer considered young
"The junior badge banner, given to
the State that has made the largest gain
in junior societies during the year. was
nrst presented at Montreal to New York,
ana at the three annual conventions
since that time Pennsylvania has proudly
carried it away; but this year our good
pig iron friends must pass that banner
over to the buckeyes of Ohio.
The other junior badge banner, first
given to the District of Colurlb ia at Mon
treal for the greatest proportionate in
crease in number OF junior societies. and
held successfully by Delaware, Assiniboie
and Mexico, must now pass from Mexico
TO Spain. ~ Christian Endeavor banner
to travel from Mexico to Spain. Strange
history we are writing. O that il might
be carried by the shot test route, by way
OF Cuba, and that to bleeding Cuba il
might be nm emblem of liberty, peace and
prosperity!
"The badge banner for the greatest
proportionate of increase in number of
senior societies, which Oklahoma first
secured at the Minneapolis convention,
which was then captured by Manitoba,
New Mexico, West Virginia, Assiniboie
and which is now held by Scotland. will
fall into the hands of the loyal Endeav-
orers on the Emerald Isle. The sham.
rock is ahead OF the thistle this time.
India. with her splendid advance, was
very little behind Ireland.
"And the ether banner. the one given
for the largest absolute gain in total NUN.
Der of societies. Is for the fourth consecu.
tive year held by England. Indeed, this
is the year Of jubilee