Evening star., 1897-01-19
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
Fifth Annual Convention Of the Dis
trict Organization.
DISCUSSION OF METHOD OF WORK
What Young People May Do in
the Church.
A ENERAL SYMPOSIUM

The fifth annual convention Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia Christian Endeavor Union
began yesterday afternoon at o'clock at
Calvary Baptist Church, corner Of Sth and
H streets northwest.
After devotional exercises. a series of
| fve-minute talks were given by President
W. W. Tuckey, Secretary Harry G. Kim
ball. Corresponding Secretary Miss Anna J.
Bell, Treasurer Anson ]. Taylor and Com
mittee Chairman Grant Leet.
In the course of his remarks President
Tuckey said: THE Office OF president in our
Endeavor societies is one of more than
usual importance. not alone In the society.
but also in the church where such society
is organized. The office Of president, be-
ing the highest one in the gift of the So
ciety, is not to be striven for by any aspir-
ant. but should come rather as a call of
God, even as much as the call of q pastor
is under the direction of His own omnis-
cient WILL and for this reason alone should
not be declined by the one chosen, except
for the most urgent reason.
Immediately upon his election, the presi-
dent Is called into prominence. and becomes
the center Of an influence which has around
it all the elements for good that We fnd in
a band Of consecrated young men and
young women pledged to do whatever
Christ, thelr master, WOulu Ike u HdNS
them do So, because of what the president
represents. does his office become one OF
Importance.
Then too. because of the close relation
which exists between the society In MS
active work and the pastor does this Office
become one of importance. If, as has been
said, the society Is the pastors right arm,
then the president who directs the move
rnents and carries out the pleasure of that
arm in its work of saving. keeping and
building of Christian character, becomes an
official Of Importance ranking next to that
of the pastor himself.
What n President Should Be.
when we have fully appreciated the re-
lation which exists between the EndeaVor
Society and active spiritual work of the
church then will we realize the importance
of selecting only the best qualified to NIL
the office of president. He should be man
of spirituality, first of all, deriving his life
from that source of strength found at the
mercy seat, through the medium of prayer
and Scripture study, so that keeping the
pledge himself he shall be an inspiration
to others to do the same.
In character he should by reason of his
life command and have the respect and
confidence of the entire church member
ship; he should also be man of good judg-
nent, well instructed in the principles of
Christian Endeavorers, for, as We have
seen, standing as a representative OF the
society his acts and decisions will either
commend or condemn his society.
He should be man of executive ability,
able to devise plans of work and see that
they are carried out when adopted by the
society; having tact in such abundance as
will enable him to harmonic discordant
elements II they exist and to keep them out
if happily they do not exist, and to enable
him to encourage when discouragement
may be enervating the work of the society.
Upon the president depends more than
on any other person the activity of the
committee work of the society, and by
word of inquiry and advice he should keep
in touch with the character of his commit
tee. He should MOI be a scoid few we'll
timed words Of admonition may be wise at
times. but there Is nothing that so surely
arouses antagonism in the hearts of others
as scolding; tact will enable him to praise
when and where 1t is due, and will encour-
age. and when praise is given he will, If
wise and tactful man, put no qualifying
clause at the end of it to destroy it's sweet
ness
said but little Of the duties which ordi-
narily devolve upon a president; these I
consider secondary In importance when
placed by the side Of the active work of
the society. They are, however. not to be
entirely ignored, as the success of the busi-
ness meeting will depend much Upon the
manner In which business is dispatched; ;
but my observation leads me to conclude
that where the foregoing qualities exist
there the latter will be found in sufficient
degree to warrant us in passing them
over"
What a Secretary Should De.
Secretary Kimball said in part that he
thought the secretary Of a Christian En-
deavor society ought to be methodical.
punctual. serious and should be the con-
fidant of the pastor; he should also under
stand the workings of the society.
The corresponding secretary. Miss Anna
j. Bell spoke briefly regarding that office
and said the person holding it should mag
nifty the position and regard it as a sacred
trust. The requisites necessary in the per-
son occupying the place were a thorough
sympathy with and loyalty to the principles
of the Endeavorers. intelligence, discrimi-
nation, to make prompt replies to commune
ications received. and to be generally help
full to the work of the union.
Treasurer Taylor in explaining the duties
OF his office said in part: THE treasurer Is
usually presumed to be honest, although
We have heard of treasurers who were
be careful and exact in his accounts, be-
cause upon his honesty and carefulness
largely depend the prosperity Of the So
ciety.
only necessary qualifications Of treasurer
OF Christian Endeavor society? say no.
systematic. proporttonate, regular and
cheerful giving Is the Christian duty of
every Endeavorer. In order that each
member of the society may be trained to
such service, every treasurer should be
man VINO believes In paying to the Lord
what he owes. and being thus grounded in
systematic paying can instruct and urge
others to adopt a like course, until the
whole society will be surprised at its pay
Ing ability and the extent of its spiritual
blessings
Every treasurer should be posted upon
the object of every collestion, and being
thus posted. he should announce the collec-
tions, present them properly and intelli-
gently to the society. He should never be
backward in speaking of the financial af-
fairs Of the society and of the increased
temporal and spiritual blessings that have
attended not only his labors, but his pay
ing. urging all to satisfy themselves that
G1d keeps His promises.
Being a cheerful giver himself, with
winning manners. his intercourse with his
fellow-nembers will be both an example
and an inspiration.
"1n conclusion, every treasurer should be
an open, all-round Christian Endeavorer.
striving to do whatever the Lord would
have him do. He should so thoroughly
arouse the giving spirit that each member
Of the society would be willing to take the
Lord at His word when He says: Give, and
it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running
over shall men give unto your bosom. For
with the same measure you mete withal 1t
shall be measured to you again."
People In Church Work.