The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-20
COMING OF ENDEAVORERs.


In view of the fact that the state con-
vention of Christian Endeavor Societies
will meet in Savannah, April IS to 20,
something of the history of the organiza-
ton viii be of interest.
Perhaps in the history of the church
there has never been a movement so phe-
nomenally successful and yet withal so
characteristic of the teachings of an an
wise Providence than that which emanat-
ed from the fertile brain of Francis e
Clark, pastor OF Willlston Church. Port
land, Me. eighteen years ago. Certainly
from moral standpoint there has never
been movement more conducive to purity,
unselfshHess, and sympathy towards fell
low man than that made by the few young
people in the spring of 1881, when they
banded themselves together for the better
performance of their work of love- under
the symbol of for Christ and the Church
A brief retrospection may prove inter-
esing to those who are looking forward
with pleasurable as we'll as profitable an
ticipation to the coming Christian Endeav-
or convention. In the evening of Feb. 2
1884, Rev. Francis e. Clark subsequent to
a prayerfui consideration of ways and
means for the outlet Of the pent-up energies
which was sWaying the young people OF
his congregation, partly through his I'M
firing efforts IN their midst and partly as
an outcome of a series of revival services,
which had just terminated, called a meet
ing in bis study and unfolded a project
for the organization of Young
Peoples Endeavor Society. submitting
at the same time a constitution and a
pledge. The idea instantly met with the
approval of those present, the constitution
was adopted, and the first Christian En-
deavor Society entered the field.
The success which attended this move
ment can only be realized by the effect
of their efforts in the church and in the
community at large. Hardly twelve
months elapsed before five other churches
had organized similar societies, and one
year later no fewer than fifty-three So
cieties had sprung into existence. In 1885,
at a convention held at Old oxford, Me-,
the number had advanced to 253, with
an enrolled membership of 14,S92 These
included recently organized societies in
China and Hawaiian Islands. The in
crease, however, proved such a strain to
the executive that during this convention
the United Society of Christian Endeavor
was of necessity incorporated.
without retrograde, this movement has
been year Dy year Sledully increasing III
strength and influence, until at this pres
ent date the most reliable statistics show
the different societies, including those of
Great Britain and Ireland, South Amer
lea, Hawaiian Islands, South Seas, New
Zealand Australia, Japan, China, Bur-
nah. India, Persia, Africa, Madagascar,
Turkey, Spain, France, Switzerland, Ger
many, Sweden, Holland, Austria, Bulga-
ria. Italy and Russia TO have total of
5O56 societies, with membership of g.
1903, S6O
| Addresses will be delivered at the con-
vention here by some of the most promi-
nent Endeavorers and pastors, and the
young people have every hope Of the en-
coura cement and support of their friends
and associates in giving the delegates
| cordial welcome.