The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-04
CHRISTIAN ExpEAvoR TOPIC.
Endesvorers in Training for Public
Life" tGen. XII. 3S-i2; Acts vii,
35, SO; DanI. vi. Id


BY AMOS r. WELLS
The public life for which Endeavorers
should be training has thus been finely de-
seribed by George William Curtis, who SO
well practiced what he preached:
BY the words public duty 1 do not nces-
sarily mean official duty, though it may in
clude that 1 mean simply that constant
and active practical participation in details
OF politics. without which the conduct of
public affairs falls into the control OF self
ish and ignorant, venal and crafty men.
mean that personal attention (Which.
IL must be incessant is often wearison.e
and often repulsive) TO the details OF poll
ucs. Attendance at meetings. service on
committees. care and trouble and expense
OF many kinds, patient endurance. chasrtns.
which, when seltshly and rneaniy per
formed, stiSmatze man as 4 mere poll
tician. but whose constant. honorable. in
gradual building, stone by stone. layer by
layer, of that great temple Of Self-re
strained liberty which generous souls mean
. that our Government shall be-
HOW does our Christian Eadeavor work
train US for this ardous but noble service?
Mr. Curtis specifies attendance at meet
fiuence while abstaining from political
gatherings. The faithful attendance at
meetings is prominent in the Christian En-
deavor pledge and an effective factor IN
Christian Endeavor training.
Mr.. Curtis adds: Service on commit
tees for political assemblies of necessity
those smaller bodies. The Christian En-
deayor Society has developed a remark
ably complete and effective set Of commit
tees. work upon which is unexce!led drill in
this mode of doing business.
Besides Christian Endeayor trains its
members TO lead meetings take part in
conventions, speak convinc.ngly in public
persuade in private (as in the work nj the
Lockout Committee, for instance). and ex-
ercise many of the most important arts Of
leadership-all quite seryiceable for poll
snd as for Mr.. Curtis's concluding items
the care. trouble. patient endurance
hard duties unsellsnly and persistently per
formed. every Endeavorer knows what A
drill IN all this is afforded ny the pledge. Ii
teaches US to place duty before inclination.
IL makes the will study: 1t subordinates
self-love. Every true Endeavorer attempts
hard things. and keeps at them until they
\ become easy.
Nor is this all theory. have known
point OF morals was at stake. that has
been decided for the right by the vigorous
and parcticed efforts of the EndeaycreTs.
This activity has been especially successful
in promoting temperance.
Best OF all, because most appropriate.
Endeavorers everywhere are turning more
and more toward the study Of their own
government. in regular classes. and in
prayer meetings devoted to great reforms.
In their conventions few topics are more
popular than those that deal with prac-
orers are seeing the truth of Charles ".
Sheldons lines. and are trying to carry
ont the thought of them earnestly as he
tries:
What makes 4 city r-ea. ard strong?
Not achitecture's graceful strength.
Not factories extended length,
And pive their liz lives to f rke !: PsA,
And turn Its darkness Into light