The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-06-22
ANNUAL ADDRESS

Before the State League Conference
ocaIa, Fla, June 1922, 1906.
Fellow Leaguers-Once more we
have met in our annual gathering to
review the labors of the year now
gone: to hear irons each other the
story of our progress and our success;
or perchance to tell Of encouragement
and failure; to catch the inspiration
that is always felt where men are
present in large numbers, animated
nv a common purpose, with com
mon aim in view; to enjoy Christian
social intercourse together and snare
i'm the hospitality of this beautiful city
that has been so cheerfully provided
for us through the kindness OF the
local league; above all. and more I'M
uortant than all, to pray for the bless
ing of God to rest upon our gathering,
that we may be guided by the Holy
Shirt in all our deliberations, SO that
our plans and acts may be most po-
tent for good. Thus being guided by
higher power, we shall go forth 10 our
work once more with renewed zeal and
energy, being assured OF success, De-
cause we are engaged in the Masters
work.
Said one of old in speaking against
those who would prosecute the early
disciples of our Lord: IF this counsei
OF this work be of men, it will come
to naught; but If it be OF God, We
cannot overthrow it,; lest haply We be
found even to fight against God"
We are no longer prosecuted Tor
righteousness sake; but there are diff
ficulties in our way, and there is a
tendency to yield to them sometimes
and we give up the struggle, and we
have disbanded Leaguers to tell the
story of our lack of faith in the divine
origin of our work and in our divine
Leader.
Let us. then, with no thought OF fail
ure, go forth from our meeting here,
animated by the same spirit that fiiled
the early disciples of our Lord referred
to above, whose history is given us In
the Acts of the Apostles: "And they
departed from the presence OF the
council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for
His name And daily in the temple and
in every house, they ceased not to
teach and prach Jesus Christ"
Young people are naturally enthu-
siastic; there is an inspiration in their
presence, as with cheerful optim-
ism. they enter upon any undertake
ing; but they are likewise easily dis
couraged. and when immediate results
do not follow they are inclined to give
up the contest. 1t were well If they
would remember these lines OF the
poet:
Heaven is not reached by single
bound,
The heights that great men reached
Were not attained by sudden flight
But they, while their companions slept
Were toiling upward in the night.
Let us now briefly review the labors
of the year and see what we have &C
complished.
The minutes of the Florida confer
ence held last December, show at that
time seveny-seven leagues, decrease
in four over the previous year, with
n membership of 2,19S, decrease OF
202.
These figures are sad record and
show a decline in interest somewhere
With an increase in our church mem
bership of 1856, there should have beer
reported an increase in the number OF
our league members.
We hope in the reports OF our dis
trict secretaries to hear where this
falling of has occurred, and we ma.
be able to decide some plan by which
we way prevent the disbanding OF any
league in the future. When loved
one is i'll we call in physician; al
experienced nurse is engaged, and We
use every means at our command u
bring the patient back to health!
condition. When your league begins t.
decline and there are indications
decay and perhaps death, why not cal
in outside help? Send for your distric
secretary, your president, let it be a
a quarterly meeting occasion whel
the presiding elder can be present
have a grand league rally and see
under Gods blessing your league car
not be infused with new life and pu
on renewed activity.
We have a more encouraging stor
to tell of our Junior Leagues. Tn
number reported is "a. an increase c
4; membership $50, an increase of 81
and yet, What are these among S
many This was the reply of Andre'
to the Master when He would fee
the multitude with "the five barle
loaves and the two small fishes foun
in the possession of a lad who had n
doubt bought them to appease his ow
appetite and perhaps very unwillingl
Ngaye them up.
But how they multiplied under tn
touch of the Master!
We look over the conference and Sc
the thousands of children within or
reach. and compare them with the IS
reported mere and wonder at the APT
thy that leaves SO many untouche'