Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-09
FOR CHRIST AND CHURCH
Alabama Christian Endeavor
 Union at TaIIadega
HAS A LARGE ATTENDANCE
All Denominations of Christianity Represented. State Secretarys Report Shows a Won
 derful Improvement.

Talladega, May 7.-(Specfal Correspond ence.)-The seventh annual convention of the Alabama Christian Endeavor union held f.s opening session last even- ing in the Firs. Presbyterian church of this city, under the most favorable aus pices.
 The appropria te and tasteful floral decorat tions added a charm and grace to the substantial and commodious church building, and go to show that warm hearts and willing hands have antici- psIled the pleasure and comfort of the expected guests
 Prominent in the decorations Is the grand motto of the Christian Endleavor movement in large letters of gold, For Christ and the Cnurch," and the pledge, which underlies all the active work of the society, is not overlooked, but occupies conspicuous position 10 the right of the platform.
 resenting societies all over the state, have sregfstered, belonging to churehes of va rious denominations, embracing PreSby- E terian, Cumberland Presbyterian, Meth odisi Congregational, Christian and Bap- .tist.
 Prominent among the delegates and visitors may be mentioned:
 Prof W. F. Taylor, Birming nam, preS- | ident; Miss Waldo Allen, Birmingham, secretary; MT. William Shaw, Wharton, Mass, treasurer united societies; Rev. w. c. Rammel, Philadelphia, Pa.; Rev. P. L.. Abernathy, Montevallo; Rev. c. B. Martindale, Tuskegee; Rev. A. K Curry, Birmingham; Rev. A. T. Clark, Shelby; Rev. G. c. Kelly, Birmingham; Dr. Chas. A. Merrill, Woodlawn.
 The Talladega societies are In attend ance in large numbers, and it is expected that today the number of delegates from societies outside of Talladega will not be less than 150.
 The chair was taken by the president of the State union, Prof. Wm. P. Taylor, at 8 o'clock, and the session was com menced by praise service, in charge of w. E. Henkel, of Talladega. The united choir embracing all the choirs of the city, which will lead the singing through out the entire assembly, is quite an iIn- portant feature in the arrangements, and will contribute very largely to the inter est and profit of the services.
 The address of welcome was delivered by Rev. c. c. Whitson, of Talladega, who, in pleasing address, extended 70 to Taladega's hearts and homes The speaker also enlisted the sympa thies of his hearers in the Christian Endeavr movement, as he traced it's wonderful growth and development and expounded its eminently successful plans and aims
 The response was made by Rev. P. L.. Abernathy, of lMontevallo, in graceful and well-spoken address, in which he ex- |, pressed the appreciation of the guests for the cordial welcome that had been extended to them. and urged upon the representa- tiYes of the various Christian Endeavor societies embraced in the con- vention still closer bond of union in the ' work and service of our common Master.
 This was followed by an address by Rev. w. c. Rommel, of Philadelphia. :. fn nf flA deavorer: What Should It Be? How Nourished?" + The speaker struck the true key note of all Christian Endeavor life and activ- ity. The hidden life of Christ in the soul, without which all are still dead in trespasses and sins. To have Christ's life in the soul, showing us the Father and transforming us to His image and helping us to say: T delight to do Thy will is the hidden life of the Endeav- orer and the spring of all true work for Christ.
 This life is nourished by prayer and the study of Gods word. Upon this de- bends the success of each individual life | and the success of all work done by the Endeavorer To feed on the living bread of the living word of the living God. On the truth as it is in Jesus. The devotional use of the Bible and the con- stant reliance of the land upon God in unceasing prayer for all things whether | are the true means of the nourishment of the hidden life of the Endeavorer. The address throughout was most heart searching appeal and went down to the hidden springs of life. The first sen n;ion was closed by devotional exercises at 9:30
 Today the session was opened by a praise service conducted by Rev. A. T. Clarke Shelly, which was largely attend t ed. Next followed the appointment of sconvention committees and the report of the state secretary. From this report it appeared that the past year was com menced with sixty-seven young peoples societies and fifteen junior societies on the roll. There are now enrolled eighty two young peoples societies and thirty juniors, making total of 112 societies with a membership of 4,000. That the Alabama Endeavorers have contributed during the year s7Co to home and foreign missions, one society alone sending $117 to suffering Armenians.
 One hundred and .fifty-four were re-