The Monitor-register., 1897-02-05
Lessons From the Late Ch hristian En-.
deaVOr Convention.

deaYOr Convention.
Now that all the transient enthusia sm
and mere surface effects of our late
Christian Endeavor Convention have
passed away, it is truly gratifying to
notice what is left.
l, A most encouraging lesson remains
from the attendance at both sessions.
think that the largest attendance at any
of our County Sunday.school Conven tions
during the past four years, was 382. We
had then surpassed the large Gloucester
County Convention for that year. A very
modest estimate places the number of
delegates at the late Christian Endeavor
Convention at 400 for the afternoon, and
about 900 in the evening. Some few
feared that if our old Union should
become County Union with it's essential
sub unions it would mean certain death
to all union Christian Endeavor work in
the county. In the late convention God
has graciously shown the folly of our
fears and has revealed most astonishing
vitality for us to count upon and rejoice
in. Had the weather been at all favor
able, the large convention church would
not have been large enough.
2. But more encouraging lesson than
eheV Va 10 lOuuu Ill bu6 4udIdGboE
of the audiences. They were not wholly
of young people who love to attend any
gathering, just SO they can meet and see
each other. On the contrary, the majority v
especially in the afternoon-weie g
married persons-fathers and mothers.
young, middle aged and old, who are
beginning to realize what a blessed
agency for good the Endeavor
movement is becoming in their
own communities and in their own homes.
They find in it great help in securing
thoughtful, godly children and cheerful,
happy homes in consequence. Several
families, parents and all, had driven from
five to seven miles through the storm for
the afternoon session, and some of them
remained over for the evening session,
having all their work to do after their
return that night. Surely the loyal
friends of our county work will praise God
for these evidences of open doors b fore
US.
8 Another significant lesson was in the
attention of the audience. 1t was very
apparent that no hostile critics were
present. Or if there we're, their hostility
was awed into reverence by the truth
4 Still another gratifying lesson comes
from the continued discussion of truths
there presented. Scarcely meeting
takes place where the society or congre
CATION was we'll represented at the con-
ventiun, in which the convention is not
referred to in the most sincere terms of
admiration aud conservation. Older
hearts have been melted to grateful
thanksgiving for what they heard, while
younger ones have bsen won to increased
conservation, that God may be honored
in their young lives. afo.
5 But still brighter lesson comes
from the financial side. Words of ad
miration and promises are cheap and
cost little to give. But where the zeal
reaches the purse and begins to empty it
into the Lords treasury to continue the
grand work SO auspiciously begun, it is a
sure sign of genuine interest that may be
relied upon. One society sends word
''you shall not bear this expense alone, " g
will come to your aid " Another assure
us "we also will discuss the matter and
think You will hear from u.s." One
father, whose daughter declared, "Papa,
it has done me so much good, / would
certainly walk these four miles to hear it
again, il l could not hear it any other
way" That father sends us personal
Offering of half dollar, and adds,
stake this toward our County Con ven.
tion expenses, it is certainly the least
can do in return for what the Lord
through the Convention, has done for my
family" A JUNIOR.