The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-05
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
CONVENTION BEGINS
First Session In Hanover-Avenue
Church Last Evening Is Well
Attended.
CALL TO YOUNG MEN TOPIC
DIR. W. III. Denison, of Norfolk
breaches Eloquent Opening Sermon.
Fine Program Planned For Today.

A good attendance of delegates and
friends enjoying splendid music and
an eloquent address by DR.. w. II. Deni-
son. pastor of Christian Temple. Nor
folk, opened the twenty-hrs annual
convention last night in Hanover-Aye-
nue. Christian Church. of the Virginia
Christian Endeavor Union.
The convention, which will adjourn
on Thursday evening, Is being attended
by delegates from all over the State
The flrst session was short, and twas
followed by a social hour" during
which refreshments were served to all
present by members of the Hanover
Avenue Church chapter of the union.
G. VI. Comper Presides.
President c. NJ. Comper, of Lynch
burg, presided at the session last night
and conducted the devotional services,
following which Rev. George w. KEN
per, pastor of the convention church.
delivered brief address of welcome
and introduced w. J. Kimbrough. Mr..
Kimbrough, who was the first presi-
dent of the first society ever organized
in Virginia. made a few appropriate
remarks, INDUCING chiefly in reminis-
cences and outlining briefly the rapid
growth OF the union.
Music by the church choir. a solo by
d. A. Richwein, and an original Chris
tian Endeavor song, sung to the tune OF
Tipperary, by the choir of Porter-Street
Presbyterian Church. were the mnsical
features. A pleasing incident OF the
evening was the recitation by Miss
Neva Tompkins, of Fannie Crosby's last
hymn Look Up, Lift Up" written es-
pecially for the Christian Endeavor
Union.
David Owl, Cherokee Indian, In
Hampton Institute. will deliver the
principal address of this mornings ses-
sion, speaking on christian Endeavor
Ideals" Miss +. o. Slater, OF Peters,
burg, president of the Richmond Dis
| trict. will preside This afternoon ad-
dresses will be delivered by Rev. Wes-
/ lev Baker. of Richmond; Miss A. b.
! Binford. of Richmond, and Rev. Zeig-
| Ter of Petersburg. The address of the
evening session will be by Rev Richie
Ware. of Lynchburg, taking for his
subject. THE New Times and the Old
Book"
| Profitable Sermon.
The address last night of DIR. Deni
son. on "a Call to Young Men," was
heard with close attention. and. as one
of the audience expressed 1t at the
close. with great pleasure and greater
profit"
"The first call Is to be a Christian"
said the preacher, declaring that
young man should not desire to receive
all and give nothing in return. Only
| through Christ. he said, can a young
man come to know and understand God.
because Christ is the only perfect stan
dard of life and character"
DR.. Denison. however, warned his
nearer that 1t Is not enough to be
good. but they must "be good for
something" They must be workers.
There are crises on" he declared,
land Jesus Christ has need of young
men. workers of such type and char
acters. workers with him, whom he
can thrust into the thick of life. into
the dust, heat passion, strife, where
great issues are on. The call Is to
young men who have the mind and
spirit of the worker"
The call to young men, he said,
'is TO realize the fact that" there Is
O. distinct life plan for them, dis
tinct and definite work In the world.
'It Is the duty, he said, of every
| young man to I'D that plan and know
1t, and prepare for 1t.
In conclusion DIR. Denison said:
THE greatest and most fascinating
problems of the world are the prob
1 lens of the kingdom. Christ has
tasks for you that will test the har-
diest frame--problems for you that
will puzzle the most massive minds.
And your life Is your opportunity. 1t
is worth all the worlds, all planets,
suns, moons. earth. time, eternity. Its
every hour is rich legacy. It's every
moment more precious than costly
pearls or precious Jewels. Use 1t for
| God and for humanity"