Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-19
TALK CHRISTIAN ENDEAVoR
Leaders of work Emphasize Import
ance OF This Branch Of the
Church.


Saturday evening was devoted to the
Christian Endeavor work. The Coliseum
building was well filled, as this was the
first session Of the convention in charge of
the men G. H. Plattenberg Of Ohio spoke
on the Transforming Power Of Christian
Endeayor," saying:
The coming historian will characterize the
forces. He will mention steam and cleo
tricity and their wonderfully transforming
power In the Industrial world. But he will
dwell with vastly greater emphasis on GER
tain new forces and new adjustments of re-
ligious things, such as the Sunday school,
the missionary propaganda, temperance re-
toEm, woman's work and the Endeavor
movement. Nor is the last the least. For
the EndeaVor movement marks an awaken
ing as distinct as the crusades, and inn
mensely more momentous, The crusaders
modified a Christian army for the pur-
pose of tescuing the tomb of the Savior
from tho hands of the Saraoens, but this
new crusade has modified a greater army
for the higher and nobler purpose of rescu-
ing the world for Christ and the church. 1t
has Injected new energy in the sluggish
mai, lifeless-a collection. of dry bones, a
holy refrigerator in which warm hearts
we're chilled. into indifference.
Prof. Seely, speaking of the decadence of
Rome says, The empire persisted for want
of men," The world and the church need
The Christian Endeavor can furnish such
men, for II lays hold of the untalnted mind
and unperverted heart Of the child, and 1t
should give daily, hourly, diligent care to
the Scriptural indoCtrination of the child
mind, for we believe with Felix Adler that
the objectionable sin is the sin against the
purity and freedom of a child's develop
ment.
With millions of young people trained,
disciplined and massed for this holy war
fare, what stupendous victories for Christ
and humanity may be looked for. Such an
army, loyal TO such a cause, would be in
vincible.
Christian Endeavor Among the Dis
ciples of Christ During the Next Five
Years. was discussed by Claude E. Hill Of
Missouri, who said:
Our first question Is. What of the disciples
of Christ during the next five years? Upon
the answer to this question will depend the
this address. And, brethren, l am glad we
do not need to consider the movement dur
ing the next fifty years, for then the ele-
question of consolidation or absorption, of
course not to our disappearance, would be
up for treatment. But we can speak of the
next five years and be approximately cor
rect. That is about as far into the future
as 4 can, go, and you will not fail to note a
the real accomplishment of some Old Tesla
ment prophets. 1t is my judgment that
during the next five years the Disciples of
Christ will surpass all previous periods of
that duration in substantial growth and
enlargement. We are rapidly forging to the
AlOht am u ALh q NAbACNS ONNACo
and 1t is my belief that we are now enter
ing on our greatest period of growth and
development.
well defined and by most a well understood
principle. II cannot fail. 1t may evolve
into something better, but II will be the
evolution which we believe our own move
ment tends most encouragingly and glori-
ously toward-the one fold and the one
Shepherd. During the next five years
Christian Endeavor will grow. In our own
rank IT will grow as. in none other and as
it has not before. We will come to better
understand its inevitable trend, and 1t is as
natural for movements as II is for In
dividuals to seek congenial company.
We should have succeeded without Chris
tan E~ndeavor, but with 1t the moment of
final and complete victory is FASTENED.
And in contemplation of the glorious con-
summation'let us not forget to give to this
movement it's just show of honor. Or yet
while the struggle is on and the conflict
deepens let us not forget this youthful ally
which so nobly and bravely fight by our
side, helping TO break down the walls OF
sin and diversion. In our tents and around
our campfires let US always welcome II,
and in councils of war or campaign for
Christ which are being planned not deny its
voice or refuse whatever word of wisdom 1t
may speak.
He. was followed by C. E. Morgan and C.
A. Frear. who spoke briefly, after which
the meeting adjourned.