Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-04
Ms. EeeRMAN,s ADDRESS.


Rev. Clarence E. Eberman of Pennsy
vania, field secretary of the United Sc
ciety of Christian Endeavor, opened hi
weeks tour in Maine at South Paris las
Tuesday. He arrived on the Afternoon
train, and at o'clock his first meetin
was opened at the Congregational vestry
Mr.. Eberman is, as has been alread
stated, man of engaging personality
and combines with wholesome an,
cheerful manner great deal of earnest
ness and zeal in the special cause whicl
he represents. The afternoon meeting
was workers conference, and variou
Questions relating to the work wer
asked by those present and answered b,
Mr.. Eberman in an easy, conversations
way.
The evening services at the churcl
were of more than usual interest TIL,
music was inspiring, furnished by ;
mixed uuartette consisting of Messrs
Briggs and Dunn, Mrs. T. S. Barnes ant
Miss Grace Thayer, and solo by Mis-.
Sue Wheeler. The opening devotional
service was conducted by Rev. Mr.
Pottle; closing prayer by Rev. B. S
Rideout of Norway, and the benedictioI
by Rev. Mr.. Newport of Oxford.
Mr.. Eberman in his address said in
part: There are two notes which would
sound clearly and strongly and, if il
were possible, would have them so re.
enforced with every stop and pipe OF
the organ that they should echo from
valley to hill top, from mountain to plain
till the whole earth should hear and re-
joice. These notes are, HOpefulness
and Courage.
Never was there an hour when there
were so great reasons for hope as now,
the ground for its existence so manifest.
The sense of personal responsibility
has a new meaning and force in the
church to-day. 1t is urging to increased
and outreaching effort, freighted with a
hope that is fast being transformed into
full assurance. We are not engaged in a
doubtful or dying cause, doomed to de-
feat. No, a thousand times, no. God
stands behind it, is watching over it,
and is pledged to its final and complete
triumph. What more can we ask?
This should inspire courage, while the
best work demands it. God has no
use for discouraged people or towards.
He calls for men of courage, purpose, will,
whose hearts know no fear, whose SUI
preme aim is victory.
From no direction does there come a
more significant stimulus to courage
than from the organizations of the
young people for Christian service. The
of this movement is stu
pendous, and still extending. In trife
less than twenty-one years, it has grown
from few and expanded into millions
and has bettered the world.
Take the Christian Endeavor Society,
in Portland of your own state,
on February 2, 1881, now numbering
over 100000, to which, if there be
added the membership of similar Organi-
cations, we have an aggregation of young
men and women such as the world has
never seen.
There are three things resulting from
this movement that are worthy of special
emphasis:
/. The church has come to realize
the presence and the value of the young
people as force to be employed. Not
ong ago they were looked upon as to be
seen and not heard.
?. The young people have come to
the church as home, and
more than this, as an institution for
hem to love, work for and support
n all her manifold efforts to reach and
save the world.
3. Then there has arisen clearer
conviction that God prizes living work
,rs and not simply breathing corpses.
This is the message bring you, young
people of South Paris. Be hopeful, full
If hope. The reasons for this are over
to those who have eyes to see.
Be courageous. Let loving and devoted
service swallow up and vanish doubt.
service is sure antidOte
or unbelief and fear. Be Gods heroes
n the fight to save man. You are called
o great possibilities. Make them yours
~ seeking to be and become all that God
wants you to be and is more than will
ne to aid you in so becoming.