The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-21

4 y John Willis Baer from the
general secretaryship of the
United Society of Christian Endeavor
to become one of the assistant secre-
taries of the Presbyterian Board of
Home Missions supplies an occasion for
glancing at the growth of the Christian
'Endeavor movement. This is concisely
set forth in the resolutions of the trus-
tees reluctantly accepting Mr.. Baer's
decision:
when Mr.. Baer assumed the duties
of general secretary at the st. Louis
convention in 1890, there were HOB
Christian Endeavor societies in all the
world; today there are more than $4,000
societies. Then there was total men,
bership of 100000; now the enrolment
exceeds 3,600,00O In 1890 the United
Society of Christian Endeavor was the
only national organization; now there
are United societies in Canada, Mexico,
England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales,
Australia, South Africa, India, China,
Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Germany.
France, Italy and Jamaica, many of
taries. Thus, where in 1890 the move
ment had barely started in few
foreign countries, today there are
Christian Endeavor societies in prac-
tically every country on the globe.
while the EndeaVor constitution and
literature have been translated into
more than fifty languages and dialects.
In 1890 the local work was largely
limited to the development of the young
peoples prayer meeting. By natural
process, responding to conditions as
they arose, the society has not only
broadened it's field of usefulness in the
local church, but has developed SER
vice of wide influence and Importance
along the various lines of floating
Christian Endeavor for the sailors,
societies in army posts for the soldiers,
societies in prison camps (as among the
BOer prisoners in the late South Afri-
can WARP, personal work for prisoners
and societies in penal and reformatory
institutions, monday evangelistic SER
vices. open-air services in summer
work in missions and hospitals, and
practical efforts in behalf of Christian
citizenship and good government. In
deed, in all lines of Christian philan-
thropic effort the interest of the young
\ people has been awakened and their
activities enlisted by this movement"
To large degree this growth reflects
the industry, persuaslveness, tact and
fine moral enthusiasm OF Mr.. Baer. In
hiS new field there is no reason to doubt
that he will be equally power for
good The nature of that field and the
character of Mr.. Baer's work in it are
we'll indicated in the following state
riihnt3.by the Presbyterian Board Of
Home Missions:
The board of home missions believes
that the evangelization of our country
has deeper meaning and a wider reach
than ever before. The salvation of our
cities, the training of our foreign popula-
tion to ideals of Christian citizenship, the
gospelizng of new parts of the country
so rapidly filling up that new states are
born in a day, and the extension of our
national authority ana institutions to the
Islands beyond our shores, unite in cali
xpr strong and steady home mission ad-
yance. Desiring to help the church to
yuSWsi tHeSe cans anu meet THESE duties,
the board has made larger plans, and 70
hssist in carrying them out has elected
Ibhn Willis Baer, general secretary of
the United Society of Christian Endeav-
or, as an assistant secretary of the board
Mr. Baer has accepted the office. and will
enter on his duties on the first of Octo-
Der. Because of his long and successful
career In kindred mission work his proved
executive ability. and his strong person
atty, the board receives him TO its Off
cial staff with large expectation and most
cordial weicome.
1t is fine thing to see our churches
keeping pace with the swift movement
OF events.