Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-02-07
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVDRERS.
The Crowning Event of the Four
Days Christian Endeavor Meet
ing at Portland, Me.
BRONZE MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED.
Abstract of the Address of II. II.
spooner on "The Veteran Associn-
tion of Christian EndeavOr."
which He Claimed Was Organ-
ized in the state of Connecticut.

Portland, Me-, Feb. 2.-Saturday
witnessed the browning event of the
four days meeting of the Young Peo-
pies Society of Christian Endeavor,
in observance of the twentieth ami
versary of the organization of the
first society, when n bronze memorial
tablet was unveiled in Williston
church, the birthplace of the move
ment. Rev. DR.. Francis f. Clark, foun-
der of the society, was present. Sew
sral of the charter members who, 25
vars ago, organized the original So
cie'y in the parsonage of Williston
churNh, were in attendance. The UNI
yelling ,ceremoney was held in the
open among anf; the .pe.4 dSdm0O 4. Fl.
Spooner, of Bulls Bridge, Conn, whose
theme was 1.-THE Veteran Association
of Christian Endeavor." Following is
an abstract of his address:
I'VE in Connecticut claim the hon
or of the original veteran associa-
ton, though its age is not so great
as one might imagine from the name.
At the state conventions in 1894 many
of the old workers met and, in a Sc
cial way, reviewed the years which
they had labored together, and final
ly took steps to organize the associa-
ton. Each year at our state conven-
ton we hold a reunion. and in one
way or another get together and talk
over the old campaigns. Some of the
are newcomers, but we find hearty
welcome to the ranks.
why should such an organization
be formed, and what may it accom-
plish?
First, 1t forms a bond of union
with the work of to-day, even though
the veteran has rot kept in close
touch with his own society. In many
cases other duties have come to him,
and he has felt that the true spirit of
Christian Endeavov, called him to
take them up even at the cost of his
active membership. How many pas
tors, evangelists w. NJ. C. AS secre-
taries and Sunday school superintend-
ents have heard this call we can
never know, but one thing is certain
their endeavor work and study fit
ted them for those places, aud while
they do not count in the membership,
the splendid influence goes on and
counts for righteousness and the
bringing in of the kingdom.
Then the younger workers see that
those older ones are still with them
in spirit and realize the need of faith
full work in the society, that so they
too may be fitted for the place when
the call canes to them.
"'Friend come up higher
"The veterans should always be
ready to advise or counsel with the
younger ones as they face difficulties
which seem too great for them, For
the sake of their own pleasure, for
the benefit of each other, for the help
of the brothers and sisters who are in
their ranks to-day, the veterans
should stand in line ready for action
under that glorious pledge which has
blessed so many of us in it's taking,
and be ready, whatever be the Or
ders, to say bravely, fearlessly:
Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ
for strength, 1 promise Him that
will strive to do whatever He would
like to have me do"