Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-12
PROGRESS Of Christian Endeavor Work.

Progress Of Christian Endeavor Work.
Out in Seattle, Washington. this
week, they are holding the sd inter-
national convention of the Young Peo-
pIe's Society of Christian Endeavor,
that great modern movement Tor
Christ and the church which had its
inception in the mind of Maine man
and whose first society was organized
in the Williston street Congregational
church of Portland. The journal has
received an advance copy of the an
nual address of Rev. Francis f. Clark,
the founder of the society, and of Will
liam Shaw. the general secretary of the
great organization. Mr.. Clark is now
d. d. and a LII. D.. but he contin-
nos to be Father Endeayor Clark to
the great army of young people in, all
narts of the world, who are allied
with the organization which he was
the instrument in starting upon its
almost lmitless career of usefulness.
The annual address cannot well help
being filled with rejoicing over the
past and with hope for the future.
He has just returned from long and
arduous pioneering journey through
South America, known as 1.-The neg
lccted continent and he promises that
the Christian Endeavor movement
will spread there as it has through
Europe, Asia, Africa, and the islands
OF the sea Most of the address is de-
voted to this South American trip and
to the lessons drawn from his expe-
rienceS there. He pleads for less Sec
tarianism and more practical training
for everyday Christian work. The
closing paragraph of his address IS
worth quoting. Says Mr.. Clark
ION the borderline between the re-
publics Of Chill and Argentina, on the
crest of the Andes, where the ohly
pass over the mountain is more IMAM
twelve thousand feet nearer the stars,
stands Il gigantic figure Of our LORD
Christ holding his cross and with his
appraised finger pointing every travel
Ter to the skies. 1t was erected TO
celebrate the conclusion OF the
boundary dispute between the two re-
publics which long threatened dis
astrous war. On the base of the stat
ne are symbolic figures of the two re-
pubiics in bas-relief representing Ar
nd Chilli clacnn>r hands and
underneath is the motto, "He is our
,,cace, who hath made both one."
This may well be our motto, too. He,
the Lord Jesus Christ, is our peace;
and He hath made us all One:-all de-
nominations, all nations, one in En-
dcavor for Him.
Secretary Shaw gives some impress
progress of the organization. The to-
tai enrolment of the Y. p. S. c. E., is
now 69,13S societies, net gain of 1866
during the past year. The total men,
| bership is now 3,456,9O0. During the
past year 1G7 sos members have united
with the church. The gifts for mis-
sions and bencvolences during the past
year have been $3.50, 400. Every for
cign country without exception reports
| encouraging progress in Christian
| Erdcavor work. a movement is on
| foot for a great international head
quarters building to be erected in Bos-
ton. Probably Maine delegates to this
| international convention at Seattle are
not very numerous, but thousands of
| Maine members are there in spirit and
! rejoice in the good reports that come
eastward from the meetings.