The Portland daily press., 1898-04-19
PORTLAND ENDEAVORERS.
They Held Their First Annual Con.
vention Yesterday.
TWENTY SEVEN LOCAL SOCIETIES
WERE REPRESENTED.

Junior Rally Great Success-Gcneral Sec
retary Baer of the Worlds Christian
Endeavor Society Delivered an Address
Last Night.
The Second Parish church was given
up yesterday to the sessions of the annual
meeting of the Christian Endeavor Union
to which twenty-seven of the churches of
Portland and vicinity belong The plat
form of the church was decorated with
our flag, various banners, with the
notices of the Endeavor society, and fes-
toons of red, white and blue bunting,
stretching along the gallery. which were
diversified here and there with small
flags, and emblems. The reading desk
was covered with the flag, and the letters
"C.E.,,',- :, on it, and coil of cable rope,
the symbol of the Floating Christian En-
deavor society. There was also a row of
potted palms and ferns along the edge of
the platform, SO that the whole appear
ance of the church was exceedingly at
tractive. There was ''Quiet Hour" SER
vice between half past six and half past
seven, which was very we'll attended and
very helpful to all.
The afternoon meeting at half past
two opened by praise service, conducted
by the Rev. f. M. Lamb. followed by the
devotional service, led by Rev. Theo. A.
Sn1ythe.
Rev. E. R. Purdy.. as the president of
the Union, gave very cherry word of
welcome, speaking rather playfully on the
greater gravity of the present occasion,
because it was the first annual convention
in distinction from the Rallies" by
which the Union meetings had been called
before and therefore must be great deal
better than anything before. In response
to the greeting, Rev. Robert Lawton said
he felt little fearful that be was hardly
up to the standard of ssRal1y." but he
was perfectly sure he was hot up to the
standard Of the convention, still he was
very glad to be present and get all the in
spiration from the meeting, adding
word for the hearty cooperation Of the
society, which he represented.
Mr.. Ballantyne made his annual report
as secretary and treasurer which told of
2O30 members of the Union, of whom 1915
are active. There have been three new
societies added during thessyear, making
gain of one hundred and thirty one men,
bers. A change in the constitution has
made an increase in the number of the
executive board, which has been quite
d successful change. The report of the re-
ceipt and expenditures showed balance
of SIS. 50 in favor OF the Union. The
nominating committee gave report, and
the officers suggested by the committee
were elected. President, Mr.. X. A.
Ball antyne; vice president, Mr.. c. NJ.
Bowker secretary and treasurer, Mr..
Fred II. Jones. Mr.. Moseley suggested
that telegram should be sent to DR.. f.
E. Clarke, containing these words: tThe
Portland Endeavorers assembled in con-
vention send greetings, and it was voted
to do SO.
The solos by Rev. F. NJ. Lamb were a
great pleasure, as Mr.. Lamb has de-
lightful voice, and enunciate with perfect
distinctness. Pr
Mrs. S. r. 6. Clarke gave an address
Forward Endeayorers, in which she
made a strong, earnest plea, for more
absolute yielding to Christ, more depend
ence upon Him, and more effort to glorify
Him. by following His example, in hating
sin, and yet in loving and trying to cave
the sinner.
Miss Carrie Gordon read very careful
ly prepared paper on Sabbath OBJ
seryance," in which she gave several rea-
sons for the lack of this observance, and
several recommendations for lending a
helping hand to prevent the dissertation
of the day, by the Christian Endeavor
societies. First, the perplexing question
of labor and capital, which makes the
condition of the laboring classes so
wretched, SO that there is necessity for
recreation. Second, the proper enforce
ment of the Sabbath laws necessitates a
careful selection of men for these offices,
and thirdly, in the work for temperance
is another safeguard for the observance of
the Sabbath.
Miss 6 ordon spoke of the difference in
the observance of Sunday, between San
Francisco and New England, and men
toned an excellent address given by Rev.
Josiah Strong, at the San Francisco con-
vention. for better observance of Sun