The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-24
SAYS CONTEST FOR
MEMBERS HURTS
Rev. w. R. Hall, Addressing Chris
tian Endeavor Convention, Frowns
On Some Methods Employed.

That membership contests are
sometimes u detriment. rather than
help, TO Christian Endeavor socie
ties, was emphasized by the Rev.
William Ralph Hall. OF Philadelphia.
Pa, In the lookout committee confer
ence OF the Michigan Christian En-
deavor convention In st. Paufs cathe-
dral. Saturday morning.
Membership contests are all right,
II they are properly conducted, but we
know that they sometimes do harm.
said DR.. Hall. 1T Is a mistake TO
have contests for members alone; the
contest should cover attendance and
other features. When the contest Is
for the acquisition OF new members
only, there Is very likely to be lack
of the true spirit of the undertaking;
the rivalry between the two sides de-
velops into n mere struggle to see
which can make the better showing
Many new members are often secured
in this way, but many times they don't
stay very long in the society. For my
part, I like the silent campaign. with
points for service and attendance. By
the silent campaign, mean the choos-
ing of sides by captains and lieuten-
ents without the members knowing
on whose side they are working. This
is the kind OF work which counts"
Delegates told interesting stories OF
competitions their societies had con-
Quoted. A girl from Kalamazoo said
that q woman of the congregation OF
the church she attended had offered
81 to every member of the Christian
Endeavor society Of the church who
could memorize the Sermon on the
Mount. BY this means enough money
had been secured TO send a delegate
to the present convention, she said.
The feature Of the morning session
in the First Congregational church
was the junior rally. in which num-
Der OF children, under the direction
OF Miss Mary r. Phinney. OF Detroit,
entertained the delegates. The chill
dren. dressed In native costume. rep
resented different countries. Japan.
India, Africa and America. The boys
and girls representing Africa came on
the platform with their faces black
ed and wearing patched clothing.
Their makeup" created a laugh.
The children also recited and sang
In the native tongues OF the people
they represented. making the repre-
sentation all the more realistic. In
their lines they appealed to the young
Christian Endeavorers to come to
their native shores and help them and
their fellow-countrymen.
The innovation proved big sue
cess, the children acQuitting them
selves most creditably, and rejecting
much credit on their director.
Following the work Of the children.
the Rev Isaac T. Headland, president
Of the University Of Pekin, gave a
brief address by special request on
Child life"
Mrs. Charles Hutchison, OF Toledo,
junior superintendent OF the Ohio
Christian Endeavor, spoke on Com
mence early" pointing out the neces-
sity OF training the boys and girls
when young In Christian Endeavor
work. She lamented that the re-
ligious training Of many children Is
now neglected. because their mothers
are too busy with lodges and clubs
The Rev. George W. Morrow, SUI
perintendent of the Michigan Anti
Saloon league, talked to the delegates
for a few minutes on the work or
the dry" forces In Michigan. The
delegates gave hearty applause when
he showed maps, with which the pro-
aress OF local option in the state was
indicated. He told them that the
work Of making Michigan dry"
was going along satisfactorily, In
spite Of the strenuous efforts and big
expenditure of money on the part or
the liquor interests.
UNCONVENTIONAL luncheons were
held at noon In the following church
es: Free Will Baptist and Disciples,
Woodward Avenue Baptist, First Con-
gregationsl. Lutheran and Reformed,
st. Paurs cathedral, Methodist Epis-
copal, Methodist Protestant aud Re-
formed Episcopal, Forest Avenue
Presbyterian and Westminster Pres
byterian, and the delegates went for
ride on the steamer Britannia In
the afternoon. They will continue
their sessions tonight and Sunday.
The election of officers will take
place this evening. The Rev. Harry
Crane, Of Alma, Mich, has been men,
toned among others for the presi-
dency.
Features Of the Friday afternoon
and night meetings were addresses by
the Rev. Frances f. Clark, father Of
the Christian Endeavor movement;
the Rev. Frank b. Bachelor Of Ann
Arbor, and the Rev. Isaac T. Head