Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-04

Inc opening session OF the elEntn an
nual convention Of the Delaware Chris.
tian Endeavor Union was held in Dola.
ware Avenue Baptist Church yesterday
afternoon week. Harry j. Guthrie
conducted a service Of song. Miss b.
Adella Elliott acting an organist.
Prayer for the success of tho convention
was offered by tho Rev. r. a. David.
sou of st. Georges, and the Rev, 7. A.
McCurdy, ID. D., of Central Presby
terrain Church.
Then came the addresses Of welcome.
@. A. Cline, president Of the local
union, spoke of the need of stirring up
Wilmington and welcomed tho dele
gates on behalf OF the 90 societies com
posing the local union, with q total
membership of l.400.
On behalf of tho churches, the dele
gateB wore welcomed by the Rev. W. f.
Lewis. In opening Mr.. Lewis said be
felt like Zaccheus, who was up tree,
but Zaocheus came down whereas he
bad TO stand up. Mr.. Lowis then spoke
eloquently of tho convention of last
year, and Of the possibility of receiving
inspiration in the present convention.
What is much to be desired 10 some
thing to energize and agonize the on
deavorers to save the youth OF our land.
The Welcome was given because the
Christian Endearor movement stands
for forward movement which tho
world has scarcely seen the like of any
where. outside tho early days of the
church. He hoped it might leave be-
hind the henedictlon and blessing OF
another Pentecost. eve can never get
enough of the energetic active gospel
work, true living Christianity with its
vital power and tremendous force"
1t III not expected to add anything
to the burdens Of the police" said
President Turner, 10 Introducing Mayor
Henry @. McLear. 1--WE are glad to
have with us the mayor. We will hear
him.
Mayor McLear said: upon the in
vitation of your committee who, sup.
pose, considers it proper that the city
government should join with your own
union, and our churches, promised to
say few words of welcome to you on
behalf of our citizens. You are well
come. All of us are glad that you arc
here, and we all JOIN IN the hope that
this meeting may not only be a pleasant
and profitable one to you, but that our
city may BIO the better, by having you
with US. In these times of unrest,
whom those who thoughtfully consider
the signs and tendencies OF the time in
which we live and the dangers that sur
round our country, it seems to me the
duty OF those who by choice of thsir
fellow citizens represent them for the
time being, to aid with all their power
such noble societies as yours for on
you and your sister societies, formed
for the same object, rests the future of
OF this great country. For az our PEG.
pie adopt us their motto, yours For
Christ and the Church and obey and
follow the great Father of us all, we
are safe; and destruction can only come
to US by departure from God and His
tenchings
"a Christian is always good citizen.
1T 10, therefore, not only duty but
pleasure TO bo with you to-day and
aid as far as it ia 10 my power to make
your convention SUCCESS as | am sure
it will be. and to extend to you a
hearty Welcome to our homes and places
OF business, add our whole city,"
The mayors welcome was received
with applause.
In the absence OF the Rev. Adam
Stepgle OF Smyrna, the response to the
welcome was made by the Rev. +. Ii.
Muore, d. D.. Of Middletown. DIR.
Moore was glad to do this for he recalled
u bIAuA NAiCh tlhllGu ultu Il year aye
and how prayer was snid for him in Mr..
Stengle's church. He responded most
eloquently to the cordial welcome which
tho delegates had received on every
hand. and expressed the hope that
blessing would come from the conven-
tion.
Owing to the absence Of the Row
Robert Il. Y. Pierce and William L.
Turner, both OF Philadelphie, who
were on tho programme, tho time unit
their arrival was filed ia with mum
Der of short speeches and singing. Thu
Rev. L. A. McCurdy, q. D., of Contra
Presbyterian Church, opened thu
speeches by emphasizing the Christian
Endeavur pledge. Ho hold that tht
society that did not keep tho pledg
might just as well die the death.
The Rev. W. Il. S. Murray. D. d.
of ST. Paul's NJ. E. Church, spoke O
the excellent work of the Christian
Endveaor Society, and told instance
of persons brought into the churcl
through the ministrations of the mem
bers.
The Rev. ". A. Walling, pastor O
Delaware Avenue Baptist Church
dwelt upon the motto Of tho suciaty
For Christ and the Church, and EN-
phasized the necessity of its being oh
served in its entirety.
The Rev. Il. A. Davidson drew atten
tion to that portion of the pledge
"trusting in Christ for strength" ant
said that when persons hesitated
join the society for feaT they could no
keep the pledge, he pointed thatAnar
out.
President Turner remarked that th
society had reached the age when it i
beginning TO receive criticism fror
those who examine into things, and
it was to be permanent blessing tn
mistakes must be corrected as fast q
pointed out.
The Rev. W. G. logg OF Bridgeville
one of the vice presidents, spoke of th
usefulness of the society. The Re,
Thomas j. Mason Of the Reforme
Episcopal Church Of the Redeemei
another vice. president, In the cuurs
Of some remarks, said he knew &C
called Christian Endeavor Societ
without pledge and one without
constitution. This led the presider
to say that a society without a pledge
or without constitution or withor
committees was scarcely a Christia
Endeavor Society.
This Rov. Elmer W. Powell, presider
Of the Junior Christian Endeavc
Society, spoke Of the juniore. III
Rev, &. ". Long of Green Hill Proeb,
terrain Church, said he was not mon
Der Of the society, but he wished
God sposu.
The Rev. W. L. $. Murray prossnte
his report.