New-York tribune., 1897-07-11
THE CHRISTIAN ENDEATOR CONVENTION


As an achievement in transportation, the
great Christian Endeavor Convention that gain
cred in San Francisco this last week is worthy
OF notice 1t will be remembered that MI Deps
talked hopefully the other day about getting
one hundred thousand people TO the State OF
Washington in order to form his Socialistlc
colony Even Mr.. Debs, however, was speedily
convinced that it was utterly out OF the uhes-
ton TO transport any such number OF people
across the continent. and it was given out that
only n few hundred persons would be sent out
M present But the difficulty of providing
TRANSFORMATION for this small number may prove
TO be lnsuperable. although We are told that the
masses Of the plain people are back OF the
movement Yet upward Of thirty thousand
members of the Christian Endeavor societies,
almost none Of whom are from the wealthy
casses are assembled in the metropolis OF the
Pacific SLOPE at an expenditure that must foot
rp in the aggregate more than So,000.O0. The
fact is n splendid demonstration Of the zeal ard
vitality of American Christianity.
The decision 10 hold the convention in San
Francisco this year was not reached without
some anxiety Thus far the annual cOnven-
tons of the societies have been in sense cumu-
lative In their aze and Importance; and 1t was
felt 10 say the least, thar II was tempting fate
TO meet at a point so remote from the centre OF
population. But the result has amply vindl-
Gated the wisdom Of the choice. In point of
numbers and enthusiasm the convention Will not
suffer by comparison with any Of those that have
preceded IT, Moreover. 1t has received royal
welcome not only from the great city OF San
Francisco, but from the whole of the Pacific
slope Nothing has been left undone to make
the visit OF the delegates enjoyable, and the
memory of It's delights will remain with them
many a day.
The phenomenal growth Of the Christian En-
deavOr movement. resulting in such great gath
erlngs as that in San Francisco, has brought up
the question whether they are altogether benen,
cia from a religious point Of view. Many good
Christians indeed, declare that the assembling
OF so many thousand young people. who are
freed for the time being from the restraining
influences OF their homes, is morally dangerous
While there is some force in this view Of the
case. it Is to be said on the other side, that the
gathering itself must be restraining influence
for many who might otherwise relax their rules
Of conduct in strange city. There have been
a few-a very few-deplorable falls from grace
in previous conventions but, on the other hand
strengthened by meeting face to face many
Of their brethren and co-workers under the in
spring impulse Of religious faith. Whatever
else the Christian calling Is, 1t is a conflict, ard
1t Is a question whether, on the whole, it is not
desirable for the young people Of the churches
to be subjected to Just such temptations as are
involved In these great annual gatherings. If
they resist them. as, indeed, the vast majority
of them do, they become thereby better Chris
tIans and more useful workers in the churches
But even II the annual gatherings Of the
Christian EndeavOr societies served no avowcdly
religious purpose, they would, nevertheless. de-
serve commendaton. They break down sec
tlonal prejudices, and give to those who take
part In them truer conception Of their COM
mon country than they ever had before. AS a
Nation we have reached the point where we
begin to see the dangers that grow ont of lso
lated interests. Citizens who are separated Ivy
wide stretches OF territory often fail to under
stand each other, and as a result dislike and
hostility are engendered. An effectual remedy
for this state Of affairs Is n personal meeting
The Western man who thinks he hates the Erst
thinks so no longer after he has visited the
East and met It's people. Similarly the Eastern
man. who has come TO look down on the West
as representing M inferior type OF civilization
is cured Of that nonsense by visit to the
West. and goes home convinced that the East
has much 10 learn from the West. Ii means
great deal, therefore. for the future peace and
happiness of this country that every year so
many thousands Of young men and women from
syery State In the Union have the opportunity