The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-07-11

growth have been marked by the re-
vival of the prayer meeting. the reviv-
al of practical service by the young
people through their committees, the
revival of missionary zeal and giving,
the revival of good citizenship, the re-
viyal Of personal communion with
God through the Quiet Hour, the re.
vfval Of interdenominational. interna-
tional fellowship among young Chris
tians. is not the time ripe, say, for
a new, united, persistent, untiring eff
fort for this all-cOmprehensive revival
the evangelization of orr young peo-
pie, our country. and the world?
A Great Programme.
Does this seem to be a purpose too
large and ambitious for a society COM
posed chiefly of young people? But It
cannot be too large, if it is Christ's pur-
pose for us. He would have us adopt
a programme no smaller or less COM
pTehensive, and in His great program
me we can each have our little part.
How can it be done? Not in day
or year; but by persistence, faith,
patience, laboring together with God
and with one another, all things are
possible. =.
BY every enlargement and improve
ment Of our societies We are so far
forth evangelizing the young people.
BY helping in every way our own
churches and mission boards we are
evangelizing cur country and the
world.
Let me, then. mention four special
lines of effort which are appropriate
to every society, by which we may sig
naliZe the beginning Of our second
quarer-century. Many can undertake
other things; these are within the
range of all, the smallest and the larg-
est, in country and city societies.
/. An endeavor for larger societies.
H. An endeavor for a revival OF
church going.
III. An endeavor for az increase of
church membership.
". An endeavor for a revival of
missionary zeal and giving.
First. In our evangelistic effort, let
US begin at our own Jerusalem, build
ing each over against his own house.
Let us seek earnestly for more active
and associate and affiliated members,
for until we draw the young people
into some relation with our work we
cannot hope to help them. Many So
cieties ought to double and treble their
numbers within a twelvemonth. Their
first duty is to reach ont after all the
young men and women and boys and
girls in their church circle, and bring
them, il possible, into some relation
with the society as the centre of the
religious life for the young. Our In
crease Campaign has been largely
to the formation of new So
cieties. Let us widen It's scope so as
10 include a strenuous effort for the en-
lsrgement OF old societies. This is
practical, definite, evangelistic service
that may well engage the attention OF
every society and every union.
An Endeavor to Promote Churchgoing.
Second. But Christian Endeavor is
never satisfied with simply building up
its own ranks. 1t exists for Christ
and the church and the world. Then
let us mark our anniversary by a re-
newed effort to bring others into The
church and into its membership. W.
are told that in many Ilaces the habit
Of churchgoiDg has for years been
gradually waning. Why should nc,
seek more earnestly -
correct This tendency. 2rd 70 Urnmc.-
among their companions love and rev.
e,eECe for the house al God? | al..,..,.
rot only to the Sunday morning ar!
evening services, but ID the weekly
PRAYER meeting Of the church, and the
Sunday school. Let us from this time
make it one Of our chief aims 20 induc,
Jur friends and comrades 20 come into
he house of God. believing that there
the sweet influence of its worship
and aspiration, of Scripture and prayoF.
and praise. may creSte within them a
owe for these heavenly things. The
-evivals of old frequently hesan in 3
new regard for the house OF God. So
{ was in the time Of Ezra and Nebe- 1
niah, of Hezekiah and Josiah. Let
Christian Endeavor say practically TO
III the world, like the prophet of old, /
Come ye, and let us 20 up to the /
house of God; and he viii teach us OF
lis ways, and we will walk in his
path"
Third. Again. let us strive for a
treat increase of church membership. 4
Dur associate members give us our
ield and orr evangelistic opportunity. I
literally millions OF than during the 4
)ast twenty-five years have come 70
Christ and into the churches of all
denominations. Nc society is doing
IS whole duty that is net a stepping 4
tone % flll membership in the church i
Z Christ From the Junior society Il
re more ard more recruits coming Il
nto the church. and yet there are mall
!tudes of children. whose tender
learts are most easily rouchad nv the II