Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-01-31
CHRISTIAN EaDEAyoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
BEGINNING Feb. 4, 1912.


Topie.-Christan Endeavor ideals--John
Nv. is. christian Endeavor day) Edited
BY Rev sherman II. Doyle, d. D.
The thirty-first anniversary of the
Christian Endeavor movement may
well be kept by the consideration OF
Christian Endeavor ideals. For nearly
a third of century Christian Endeav-
or has existed. and the one prominent
characteristic of the ideals of the or
ganization is their permanency. 1t is
not too much to say that the spirit OF
Christian Endeavor is exactly the same
today as 1t was upon that night thir-
ty-one years ago when it first came
into being under the guiding and In
spring of its still great and honored
leader. the Rev. DIR. Francis E. Clark.
There have been many varieties Of ex-
preston of Christian Endeavor activi-
ty in the years that have seen its world
wide and wonderful growth. Without
such variety in forms of expression
stagnation and death would have re-
suited. Yet amid all the changing
scenes of the years the underlying
principles and the youth inspiring
ideals have ever remained the same,
and they still exist and still inspire to
deep devotion and consecrated Chris
tan service.
The glorifcation and exaltation of
Christ have ever been Christian En-
deavor ideal. This is vital and funda-
mental and absolutely necessary to the
permanency of any Christian ~organi-
cation. To bring the young into vital
union with Christ and through this
vital union to Him to service in the
church of Christ was the supreme pur-
pose of the first Christian Endeavor
society, and no society today is worthy
of the name unless it has the very
same purposes in view. To accom-
plish this dual purpose Christ had to
be exalted. and He was. Pledged serv-
ice was conditioned upon personal
trust in Christ Supreme Importance
was attached to complete obedience to
Christ. Church loyalty was empha-
sized upon its only true basis-the re-
lation of the church to Christ. More
over. this supreme ideal was summed
up In the society's motto. For Christ
and the church" Little wonder that
such an ideal intelligently and attrac-
lively presented has fred the zeal Of
millions Of young people the world
over
The supreme exaltation of Christ and
His church could not but develop an
other Christian Endeavor ideal-name-
ly, worldwide Christian fellowship.
leading to unity In spirit and co-opera-
ton in service. In Christ there is
neither nationality nor denomination
Each branch is in vital connection with
the vine, and by this union with the
vine each branch is in vital connection
with every other branch. Christ being
. the vine and each Christian a branch
3 bound to Him all must be bound to-
gether. Out of this Ideal there neces-
sarily grew international and inter-
denominational fellowship and CO.
operation in Christian service. two of
the most outstanding of all Christian
Endeavor characteristics.
Around these ideals of an exalted
unity in Christ all Christian Endeavor
activities and achievements have been
centered. Such an exaltation of Christ
could not but lead to the desire to win
souls for Christ, to increased loyalty to
the church of Christ and to manifold
activities to make the world better and
happier for Christ's sake and in the
name of Christ. All these Christian
Endeayor has done, and the verdict of
the passing year can only be that it
has been well done. But there should
be no satisfaction with past accom-
plishment. However glorious the past,
the future may be even more glorious,
and each record Of another years
achievement should only be an inspira-
ton to increased attainment Thank
ing God" for the past let US take eeur-
age" and face the future with renewed
devotion and increased conservation.