Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-28
VARIABLE GROWTH
The Steady Increase in Christian En-
deavor Membership,
NOW APPROACHING FOUR MILLIONS
Interesting Points in the Annual
Report Of Secretary Baer
READ AT LONDON MEETING

The annual report of Mr. John Willis
Baer, general secretary of the United So
ciety of Christian Endeavor, which was
laid before the Worlds Christian Endeavor
convention in London last week, abounds
in matters of interest to the thousands of
Endeavorers, not only in the District of
Columbia, but throughout the United
States.
mo one thing that L know Of" said Mr.
Baer, proves more certainly that God is
in the Christian Endeavor movement than
Its remarkable numerical growth. In 1881,
one society with fifty members; in 1900,
nearly G,OOO societies with over three and
one-half millions Of members. Nineteen
years ago one country, America. giving
birth to our society; today every nation
and land flies the Christian Endeavor BAN
ner. Quietly and steadily and at the same
time with wonderful rapidity and vitality
has this new force come into the church
life of the world. and we are only beginning
10 appreciate how strongly the ties of in
ternaton fellowship and brotherhood are
being cemented by Christian Endeavor' -
Continuing, he in part said:
we find in the land of it's nativity the
United States of America, the largest num-
Der of Christian Endeavor societies. Great
Britain (and these figures include England,
Ireland, Scotland and Wales comes next
VIII ABOUT i,tEJ societies. Let turn
aside here to invite the lingo politicians in
Great Britain and those in the Senate of
the United States to consider the Christian
Angio-Saxon alliance already formed be-
tween young America and young Britain by
the members Of these more than 10000 So
c1etles of Christian Endeavor. Cod may
come and seals may go and boundary lines
De held In dispute, but palsied be the hand
ana mute the tongue that should again sug-
gest strife and boodshed between America
and Great Britain.
Societies in China.
ours. we must remember, is an inter-
national and interracial army China, poor,
bleeding, storm wrecked was the first for
elgn country to take from the United
States the Christian Endeavor seed; and,
while the growth has been slow, compare
lively, China today has not less than AS
societies, India has 459, and how our
hearts ache for that famine-stricken land
Germany has 16S societies, and, under the
sympathetic championship Of Count Bern
storf, Count Puckler Pastor Paul. Fred
erick Biecher and others, the society is
steadily conquering prejudice. Africa s
l'f9 societies, with many of their members
in arms, are passing through trying times.
AS 1t was in 1893 during the American
Spanish war. so it is today during the
British-Boer hostilities the Christian En-
deaVor pin adorns the uniform of opposing
forces. May God hasten the day of hon
orable peace and bring the horrible war to
an END. France responds today with 50 So
cleties; Jamaica with 100: Mexico, 10;
Madagascar. NJ. Japan's Il splendid and
vigorous societies are worthly represented
a. this convention by Rev. Tasuke Harada.
the president Of the United Society of
Christian Endeavor of Japan. Turkey has
60 societies. Spain sc. But time would fail
me- to go through the long list, comprising
European countries, South American re-
publics, missionary lands and the islands
of the sea. The total enrolment, outside of
cd a do fr mr. n
cieties and this figure augmented by the
greater number in the United States and
Canada, makes an interdenominational in
ternational and inter-racial brotherhood
for Christ and the church of 80 T12 local
societies, with total membership of 3, 800
600.
Societies Everywhere.
There are number of mothers and par
ents' Christian Endeavor societies; socie-
ties also in unexpected places, such as in
schools and colleges. asylums. institutions
for the blind and for the deaf among car
drivers and motormen. policemen, travelling
men. life savers on the coast. lighthouse
employees, in large factories; among the
soldiers in barracks, marines and sailors on
men-of-War and merchantmen.
The first floating society of Christian En-
deavor was organized ten years ago on the
United States revenue marine steamer
Dexter, and since that time 123 floating So
cieties have been organized. and a most
worthy and permanent missionary work
has been established in Nagasaki Janan
known as the Christian Endeayor Seamen's
Home. Among the victims blown up in
Havana harbor on the Maine We're members
OF the floating Christian Endeavor Society
There was an active floating Christian En-
deavor Society upon Admiral Dewey's flag
ship, the Olympia, that took part in the
fight at Manila bay, and in Sampson's fleet
al santiaso We're many Endeavorers; and.
last. but not least the Christian Endeavor
badge was worn by more than one awny
Briton from H. NJ. s. Powerful in the ia
nous siege of Ladysmith. Indeed. where
will you not find Christian Endeavor? 1t
floats upon our seas go into the depths of
the earth, and you will find it among the
miners of iron and coal: go to the far
north. 1t never freezes; go to the far south
deavor fits all kinds and conditions of men
Manfestly our principles reach the heart
where all men are alike.
Prisons and JaiIs.
THE most conspicuous example of the
adaptability of Christian Endeayor is the
organization of Christian Endeavor socie-
ties in prisons and the evangelstic work of
Christian Endeavorers in prisons and tails.
Ten years ago the first prison Christian En-
deavor Society was organized. in Wiscon-
sin. and today in the United States eleven
states have about twenty-five Christian En-
deavor societies within their prison walls
NO more encouraging reports have come to
me lidll tHe reports OF the chaDlainS and
the officers of these prison societies Con-
versions are frequent, and men and women
have been reclaimed, and. when granted
liberty. have become worthy citizens and
consistent Christians. There is but one
opinion among the officers of the prisons.
and this is that the Christian Endeayor
meetings are of great value and the visiting
delegations of Christian Endeavorers from
church societies are heartily welcomed Not
by any means the least benefit gained from
this new and Christian Endeavor work is
the reflex influence for good that has come
upon individuals and societies attemntinp
song and evangelistic services in the tails
and prisons. The largest prison Christian
Endeavor Society so far reported is the one
in the Kentucky state prison. 1t numbers
over 800. out of prison population of 100
During the past year especial emphasis
has been placed upon the local union work
and the possibilities for good to be OBJ
tained by the societies from their vital con-
nection with the local union. There are
now hundreds of these unions from the
greater ones like the Christian Endeavor
city unions of London. Philadelphia, Toron-
to and elsewhere to the smaller unions in
country towns. One way In which new and
lasting interest in local unions was secured
has been through the adoption of the uni
form topics, suggested by the American
leaders. for four mass meetings each wear