The Washington herald., 1914-09-13
Religion and Social Service
Christian Endeapors' Leader
For Quarter of a Century

Christian Endeavor celebrated yester-
day the sixty-third birthday OF its found
er and world president Rev. Francis E.
Clark, d. D.. LII. d. 1t was DR.. Clark
who, on February 2 1881, called together
the young people OF his church, a num-
Der Of whom has recently been brought
into the church in an evangelistic meet
ing. He explained his plan and led in
the organization of the new society.
The first Christian Endeavor pledge was
signed and on the following Sunday the
first Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting
was held.
From that small beginning in Port
land the society has spread and grown,
until today there are more than $1,000
Christian Endeavor societies in the
world, with more than 100000 members.
tIOnaI.
From almost the very beginning OF the
movement Christian Endeavor has been
Observation-Disclosures in its scope and
work. Though it began in a Congrega-
tional church, today there are eighty
seven different denominations that take
Christian Endeavor as their young peo-
Pies society. Throughout the world
there are probably more Methodist
Christian Endeavor societies than those
Of any other denomination, though in
North America many of the Methodist
churches have a UNCONVENTIONAL young
peoples society. On this Continent there
are more societies in Presbyterian
churches than in those of any other
denomination; the Christian Church has
the second largest number OF societies.
the Congregational third, the Baptist
fourth. In England, Burma, and India.
the Baptists lead in Christian EndeaYor.
while in Australia, Spain, France, and
other countries the Methodists lead: in
Norway, Denmark, Germany. and Rus
STA the Lutherans lead; in Italy the
Waldensians, etc.
No agency has done more to bring the
Christian people OF all denominations
closer together than has this great So
ciety. The present tendency toward a
unity of Christian people and churches
is due. in large part, to Christian En-
deavor. with its more than 1900 union
meetings every year, ranging from local
and county Christian Endeavor union
gatherings of 100 or less, to the State.
international, and worlds conventions.
with thousands and tens OF thousands OF
delegates present Some OF the county
conventions in this country are large;
Los Angeles County. Cal, seldom has
fewer than 1000 at its county cOnven-
ton; MiddleseX County, Mass. had =, 4G6
al its convention this year. The twenty
seventh international and NTH world 5
convention is TO be held in Chicago, July
7-12, 1915.
Worldwide Work.
Because this work is worldwide in its
character the time came when it was
necessary that some one man should give
all of his time to the work, travelling
from State TO State. province to province.
and country to country. There were no
funds available for this work from which
to employ a worker; but twenty-nine
years ago, Francis Z. Clark gave up the
pastorate of the Phillips Congregational
Church, Boston, where he had gone
from Portland. and through all these
years he has given himself to this work.
without salary from the Christian En-
deavor movement DR.. Clark has earned
his own living by the use of his pen.
the books he has written. and the special
articles for magazines and newspapers.
Not only has DR.. Clark earned his own
salary thus, but he has paid practically
all Of his own railway, steamship, and
hotel bills. as he has Travelled in foreign
countries for Christian Endeavor. DR.
Clark has gone five times around the
world, and many times to Europe and
Great Britain. There is no country in
which he has not travelled and spoken
for Christian EndeavOr. 1t is estimated
that he has Travelled at least 81. 600 miles
by rail. and fully ., 600 by wagon. horse
back. camel. in jinrikishas, in man
carried hammocks, etc. He has ad-