The Washington times., 1913-02-01

cad" pledge, mentioned in the above
quoted message from DR.. Clark (and We
hope the time will come when no soci.
ETY. of Christian Endeavor will be con.
tent with any short of the 'ironclad'
pledge). Let US consider these pledge
principles briefly:
First, the Endeavorer promises: y
will strive to do whatever He would like
to have me do" Right there you have
the entire gospel. for Christ would have
all His children keep the spirit and
letter of His divine law. as expressed in
the Commandments and other portions
of His word. What a wonderful world
this would be IL everyone, before taking
any action of Importance, would stop
first to ask (as the Rev. Charles NJ
Sheldon has SO beautifully dwelt upon
1t in In His Steps'D the question.
What would Jesus have me do?" Why,
there would be no more hatred, or jeal-
ousy, or envy, or strife, or graft; no
further need for jails or almshouses or
courts tsave, perhaps, few to decide
friendly questions between man and
mani; and no more war between men
and nations. And In the place Of these
Love would be enthroned. and there
would be peace on earth and good
will among men! But We must not
dwell longer on this beautiful principle.
but pass on:
The pledge next leads the Endeav-
orers into prayer and Bible reading
every day. In the Quiet Hour" cam
paign, conducted by the Christian En-
deavor Union in the District of Column
bia during October last. prayer and
Bible reading and meditation for at
least fifteen minutes each day, prefera-
bly, in the early morning, were empha-
sized, and dozens of Endeavorers signed
the "Quiet-Hour pledge" signifying
that they would spend at least fifteen
minutes each day. preferably in the
early morning, In such communion with
God. Indeed. IL Is through prayer and
the reading of Gods word that we learn
what is His will concerning us, in order
that we may do whatever He would
like to have us do''-the first promise
in the pledge. 1t may be safely stated
at the beginning of day earnestly and
humbly In prayer and Bible reading
and meditation and go into wholly
wrong paths that day. Or, again land
this is of vital Importance especially to
the unsaved). anyone. however deep In
sin and however far removed from the
throne of Grace. who viii devote If
teen minutes each day to the reading Of
the Gospel of St John and the Psalms.
and to earnest, humble prayer to God
(whether the supplicant has belief in
God or notD will eventually-nay,
nance and hear His whisper of peace in
the hearti ...
These. then. are the three great prin-
ciples of Christian Endeavor: Striving
to do His will; daily prayer; daily Bible
reading.
And then come those other Important
things in the .old ''iron-clad" pledge.
namely, denominational loyalty (but
with interdenominational fellowship.
faithful attendance upon the services
of the home church. participation in
the Christian Endeavor meetings-all
important; all emphasized.
And we must not overlook the very
opening words Of the pledge-"Trusting
in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength.
for after all, they are the key that un4
locks TO Endeavorers the vast store
house Of omnipotent strength, that VIII
prove sufficient Tor every occasion and
every trial. and make the. keeping OF
the pledge possible. -
Should we marvel that Christian En-
deasor has grown during these past
thirty-two years until IL extends into
almost every nook and corner of the
earth, until there are now in the world
more than 5000 societies Of Christian
Endeavor and more than 100000 En-
deavorers? Shall we not, through the
smiles and the tears of this birthday
join our hearts and hopes
and prayers with DR.. Clark's, as he
labors across the seas for the further
spread and greater power of the won
derful organization that he founded, to
the end that the Giver of Every Good
Gift may grant to Christian Endeavor
strong, vigorous life through all the
ages. and ever-increasing efficiency and
power in furthering His kingdom on
the earth. May just add in closing DR.
Clark's parting words at the close of
the great Atlantic City convention of
Christian Endeavor.
Notice this Chinese banner. brought
from the land of Sinim. The cross Of
Jesus Christ occupies the center and
upon ii are our initials. C. E. oh,
friends, on all these banners, by what
ever name We call them, let urs place
the cross Of Jesus Christ! Christian En-
deavor is worthless, and worse than
worthless, unless IL is the Society of the
Cross OF Jesus Christ, Let this be our
thought, then, for the coming two
years; and in the words of the word of
God let us say II together once more,
all rising and repeating II: In the name
Of our God We will set up our banners"
That's what Christian Endeavor has
done through all the years, aye, and
what IL is ever doing, lifting up the
banner Of the cross that men may see
and hear and understand how great Is
His power unto salvation, and that the
story of the cross may he told in every
CLINE and to every people.