Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-04-11

lLdtiOH FROM Ltttle SuuFcH Up Ia
Maine Started the Move that mas
Grown to Include Fifty.fiYe Thousand
Societies organtewn People will
Leave Nothing Undone to Entertain
the Visitors.
In every evangelical church regard
less of its creed or denomination the
chief question for years had been
"How shall we awaken the interest of
the young in the cause of religion and
sustain that interest when it is
brought into being?r The most pro-
found thinkers Ia the religious world
had given this serious problem con-
slant and earnest consideration aud
many schemes had been evolved, but
to reach its solution they were des-
tined to failure as pronounced as the
hopes which had accompanied their
conception were high and sangaine.
Mission societies, young peoples
prayer meetings, literary organizations
and kindred associations were brought
into being time and time again by
earnest workers in the cause of Chris
tianity, and for awhile We're success
full and secured the attention of the
young; but they lost their holding
power in course of time.
1t was simply another case Of lead
ing a horse TO water when he couldn't
be made to drink. The young Chris
tians could not be blamed SO much for
this condition. The societies enumer-
ated were almost invariably managed
and had their affairs directed by the
elder people The older folks occu-
pied all the positions Of honor, allow
ing, perhaps, one or two of the young
er members to fill places where there
was drudgery TO be done, such as sec
rotary and treasurer. This system,
which was uneonsciously, no doubt,
persisted tn, prevented the success Of
young peoples church societies, SIM
ply because they were not really young
peoples societies at all. There was
no incentive to enthusiasm no infiu-
ence to compel sustained interest. So
ministers and elders alike viewed their
congregations, which SO far as actual
and active Christian work was con-
eerned, were composed almost entirely
of old settled people, with much
alarm. The young were present on
Sundays, to be sure, but their medi-
tations were evidently of a superficial
character and the fire of enthusiasm
was LACKING. How to stir them up
and animate them with the real fervor
of Christianity was the question, and
like most other intricate moral prob
lens it was destined to be solved in a
way that now seems to be little short
OF the miraculous.
From a little spring way up in
Maine there was destined to flow a
spiritual stream that would eventual
ly oyerwhelm the Christian world and
send it's waters even into pagan lands.
1t was not to be flood of baptism of
regeneration that would be as lasting
as it was widespread. Borne up up
on its surface millions were to be car
ried willingly and without resistance
to the common goal of Christianity;
and on the stream the young Of both
sexes were to 60 onward singing in
clarion chorus the hymn of the new
salvation,
There can be no intelligent compu-
tation Of the vast amount Of good that
has been accomplished through the
agency Of the Christian Endeavor
movement. 1t is giving to the young
a proper conception Of their duties to
man as well as their duties to God,
and doing it in healthful and thor
oughly sensible manner.
Away up in Portland, Me-, is the
shrine to which every Endeavorer
turns with tender love and reverence
1t is the Williston Church. 1t had
formerly been the Williston Chapel,
and was an offshoot from the State
Street Congregational Church. In
1876 Rev. Francis E. Clark became its
pastor, and in two years the member
ship grew from so to 500 and brick
and stone ediflce was erected. Mr..
Clark was an earnest and patient Chris
tian, and his wife was fit compan-
ion for such man and together they
labored in the cause of Christianity.
Their dearest aim was to inspire and
sustain the interest Of the young in
religion. So Williston Church had its
debating society and its entertain
ments, but they became unavailing
for the purpose. Mr.. Clark had form
ed a pastors class, which was some
thing like the present junior Endeayor
societies, and the pledge began SINH
larly: Trusting in the Lord Jesus
Christ promise Him that | will
strive to do whatever He would like
to have me do. What more perfect
religion could any one have, be he
young or old, it may well be asked, If
he is faithful to such q pledge as that?
In the PASTORS class the church
creed was simplified so that the young
might understand it, and Christian
topics were studied, while such books
as "Pilgrim's Progress" were read.
At the same time Mrs. Clark conduct
ed the Mizpah Mission Circle, whose
members, boys and girls met every
week at the pastors house to talk on