The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
FuVor. REVIVAL Services.

practical test With that object IN view
called a meeting for the evening OF
February =, 1881
FaVors Revival Services.
IN each OF the FIVE years OF my pas
lorate I had held revival services during
the month OF January, and many per
sons had come into the church II was
after one Of such revival periods that I
called the meeting Of young folks.
expected criticism and objection The
constitution and the pledge had been
written out beforehand. More than forty
young men and women signed the pledge
and accepted the constitution. AZ the
next meeting we doubled our membership
The second Christian EndeavOr Society
was formed during the following August
IN the town OF NeWburyport. Mass, By
Rev. Charles p. Mills, TO whom I had eX-
planned the fine success Of my own ex-
pertinent
"A little later I wrote out my experi-
ences at WIllistOn Church for two re-
liglous periodicals. The movement, nat
urally, grew slowly at first BY 1881
il was in full swing. with 1900 new so
cieties a year. In the meantime, 1 had
gone to preach at Phillips Church, in
South Boston. after calls from other
places. because I wanted a larger field.
The WHliston society is fresh and Wig
orous to-day. I am glad 10 say
Finally, so much Of my time was taken
up in answering letters and in supplying
pledges. constitutions and general infor-
nation tha. resigned my pastorate IN
South Boston and devoted myself en-
tirely 10 the Christian Endeavor move
ment"
who gave the society its name2"
II wish I knew definitely. The name
seemed 10 come 10 ne instinctiveIy. sun
may have heard II and used il uncOn-
sciously."
rs the world standing still growing
worse, or getting betterZ'
1T is getting better although a back
set now and then disCOUrages superficial
observers and philosophers. All that we
have 10 do for a sound understanding
Is 10 compare the centuries. Many new
forces are working for righteousness. As
a whole, the newspapers OF the United
States are helping the churches IN giving
freely OF their columns and in their ad-
vOcacy Of purity IN the home and OF hon
esty IN politics and business When last
in England friends warned me not 10
Overpraise America. IN view OF our many
political and commercial scandals I re-
piled that our shame has been exposed
by ourselves. which was a sure sign Of
moral health. once wrOngdOinE was
/ covered up. now Il IS published. con-
demned. punished. and stopped-at least
in the United States
Enter Other Fields
Why are so few young men preparing
| 10 enter the ministry
1T Is not because our young men want
10 make money. and Fl Is not because
they shrink from unremunerative toll and
self-sacrifce. The heroic and religious
spirit is as ardent among US as ever.
/ The beat OF the drum for war or service
sun inspires the youth OF The country
! But churches have become critical The
1 preacher once stood up and out and
/ above the generality in his community
( To-day more faplt is found in him than
with almost any other decent person in
/ his ueighborhood. Young men. therefore
who would enter the ministry under nor
+ NAL circumstances 90 into business OF
some other profession But they are no,
I los; 10 the church by any means The
ffayrnah is as necessary as the preacher
Z I 6on't want 10 attack our colleges. but
/ think. too. the faith of many young
men IS being unsettled, especially IN the
East. by unsound teaching"
/ rs the church heset by any dangers o.
/ yes: by indinerentisn. wOrldIiuess. EnC
! the feeling that Il does not matter what
one believes sc long as he is sincere.
Copyright. lsce. by james p Morrow