The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

BY JOHN WILLIS RAER.
In 1881. the close Of the first decade OF the
Christian Endeavor. there were 1924 So
cieties. and We returned hearty thanks to
God for what he had wrought. In this
year. 1901. at the close OF Christian En-
deavor's second decade. we must employ
the same numerals. though differently ar
ranged. to tell our numerical strength, for
the 1924 societies have become 61,4T. The
nearly 100000 members have become nearly
100000! This growth is marvellous. and
nothing comparable TO 1t can be found In
history. The rapidly with which the So
cieties have multiplied Is so familiar. hav-
Ing compelled attention around the world,
that We have in late years accepted that
fact as commonplace. I remind you OF this
wonderful numerical extension of Christian
Endeavor because 1t proves to me beyond
a doubt that ours IL not Man-made socie-
ty, but broad. interdenominational, inter-
national and interracial brotherhood.
Man can organize q society, God creates
q movement"
Each year We have expected that this In
crease III numbers would be comparatively
small. but that time has not yet come. The
net Increase in number Of new societies
since we met in the great London conven-
ton last July Is nearly 1000. with total
membership Of almost 100000 members. In
other words. the net increase during the
past year equals the total number OF So
cieties organized during the first seven
years Of our splendid history! There have
been more than 1900 new societies added to
the lists.
The Presbyterians lead in the United
States; then come the Congregationalists,
Disciples of Christ. Baptists. Cumberland
Presbyterians. Methodist Protestants, Luz
therans, in order named. this list suppfe-
| mented by large number Of other denomi-
, nations, forty in all. In Canada, with its
| more than 5000 societies, the Methodists
Lead almost all Their local societies being
deavor; the Presbyterians are next. and
Baptists third: L. The largest number Of the
| ties in Great Britain are Congregational
| lists. with the Baptists only a Few behind,
, and the Presbyterians coming next In
Australia the Wesleyan Methodists lead In
numbers the 1000 societies under the
| Southern Cross.
The societies were asked to state, in short
sentences. the best things that had been &C.
tfs last sen are
view to showing the range Of Christian En-.
deavor activity. We give them without
comment; they SPEAK iSr in en- g scrs n
men and women. sActive in the Municipal
Lea and sss Sunday ss aDayns a
every week IN pssesa where no ptst R Ts
Woman s nj in India" placed a rack in depot.
| ganized a reading. room for young men,.
| "Paid for bed in floating hospital. !"
! Organized open-air meetings outside the
sonst sg Invalid d Ded s Wien !, in
e eas s' PoorhoSse and 9aiI.S Entersslned
as esnt1y from INT ct sas es
books for the prison committee to use in its
work" Held. series Of. evangelistic
msaaiGaa' at the rehousss conaset
service Sunday st. the
Egypt Ffes sn Ii. entire y Church end
furnished e window fot q tni:siot, church
the Tibet ieper hospital" sours is q coun.
try society. We pay all the taxes. insur
Church. gnu speeiai evs snsehIses meet
the church." Furnished parlor In oui
4 sa'ans ondss ssan1 sibls
prayer @estings. paid our church debt.
against the saloon" Gave christma aps dih:
ners to the poor" Invitations left at no.
tels." Helped to close a gambling dem
our church an e spaetpa pew Tor visitors Pay
From among the junior report blanks ]
Clothed and paid board OF a crippled boy II
school. Gave 2 Thankssiyins dinner t
enough to give poor children an outing il
July and August" Kept a crippled Ole
Gave Christmas entertainment at an ole
| FURNISHED flowers ali winter for OH,
! church" Made scrapbooks for HOSPITALS
new carpet for our church" presented oui
| church with hymnbooks."
This year seems to be crowned with an
other splendid evidence of life. There are
now $500 comrades OF the Quiet Hour that
life to spend at least fifteen minutes alone
with God at the beginning Of the day.
More and more IL Christian Endeavor be.
| coming an evangelistic agency for Christ
In ALI 100. 600 young people have in the las,
| twelve months Joined the church from the
ranks Of onr societies.
| TOBACCO DEAL ERS' RuSE.