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THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1897, & CLARK, Founder and President of the Christian Endeavorers. The Society of Christian Endeavor is nota body that exercises auihority over the local and State orzanizations, though | is a ceniral authority ina genera: | as a matterof convenience. The gen- | v does not ask allegiance, levy | t: Xes or prescribe rules or by-laws for a society. Iis great purpose is denominational esprit de corps, and it ur es loyaity to the local church next to there to promote loyalty to Christ. It islargely a bureau of information. Any member uf an evan- gelical church can become a member of the United Society, with voting power, | by ying $1 into the treasury each year | or for lijfe membership: 1e information required to the society issue- cescriptive of the pur- ociety. It provides for an al convention and 1t is rejresented by a weekly newspaper caliea The Golden Rute. It hires no missionaries, but keeps | one paid sccretary, who gives all of his | time to the work of the organization. | The purposes of the State and business nt le ifier 3 poses of the ar local | I are composed of three, six or a dozen or more societies, band way for mutual help been found exceedinzly useful and have largely stimulated the growth and in- creased the value of individual societies. The young people who form these unions meet once in two or three months for a discussion of methods of work, or the fundamental principles of the society, or for meetings of prayer and consecratio These meetings have been found of spe- cial value in promoting the spiril of brotherhood and Christian fellowship. Although the Society of Christian En- ed together in this Iness. | deavor to-dsy stands as one of the great- est religious movements in hisiory, its beginning was about as inconspicuous as could be. Qnly a little band of young people, fired with what was then thonght to be a momentary enthusiasm, resolved to “‘make themseives more useful to God.” There was no excitement cau-ed by the resolution, nor did the newspapers of the | country print a single line about it. Even | those who knew the youug people well L >3 TENT ON BOSTON COMMON, CONVENTION OF 1895.* unions are thus sta’ stitution of the body d in the general con- The object of the unio: an interest in You Christian vor and same in this State, and to ciency as factors in Chr shall be to stimulate z Peaple’s Societies of cal unions of the promote their effi- | life and church | work by bringing them inlo closer relation | with each other through coufcrences, reports end correspondence. One ot the most impertant developments oi the Christian Endeavor idea has been in the line ot local unions. These unions | smiled incredulously and shook their heads when they heard of it. Some even went as far as (o prophesy that the whole thing would prove a failure and be for- gotten within six months, And itis now apparent that the proph- els did not know the voung people of Williston Church in Portiand, Maine. For these voung people were the ones who, aide! by their pastor, Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D., founded the Society of Christian Endeavor. They nurtured it in its infancy and have since guided its man- They have | agement, until to-day it has members in [if one brother would say to another: every country in the world. An hour before the society was formed not a single member had an idea that it would be. The young people of Williston | Church bad met fora social evening at the | bome of tneir pastor, and all expected | that the evening would end as hundreds of other evenings had. Instead the even- ing was a milestone in history, and all the world has reason to remember that win- ter's night early in the year of 188L Just who the person was who uttered the words that soon led to the formation of | the society is not a matter of record. The | young ladies and gentlemen of Willis- |ton Church, most of them attend- ants of the Sunday -school, were ali gathered in Dr. Clark’s parlors spending the evening as only youth knows how. They talked and lauched and played harmless games and | thoroughly enjoyed the refreshments | served. It was a happy evening. Every- body was in the best of humor and the pastor was only too ready to accede to | any demands to continue the good feel- | ing. | In some way—nobody knows how—the conversation turned upon Cnristian work, | and naturally ‘enough the young people were soon all attention. There were about fifty young folks pres- ent and before they coula realize it the social aspect of the evening had peen lost | sight of. Games were forgouen and laughter ceased. An important question was before the assemblage and suggestions were wanted. And it might be added, were soon forthcoming. How could the young people of Willis- ton Church be more useful to God? How could they be more helpful to their pastor? how more loyal to their church and how aid in the dissemination of God’s word so thatit would bring others into the told? The first question propounded led to the others, and the last pointed the way to how the work was to be done. In a very short time evervbody was | fired with enthusiasm. Sugzestion after | suggestion came to which Dr. Clark hs- tencd attentively, aliowing the young | people to manage things to suit them- selves. | It was soon shown that there were a number of young men and women, in reality members of the church, who sel- dom attended service. They seemed to have no interest in Christianity, but sim- ply went to church once a week as a duty. | After that they forgot it for six days. How could thess young people be made | z00d church members? How could they be brought nearer to God? How be made 10 take an interest in spicitoal affairs and induce others to do the sume? Numerous plans were suggested and given consideration. Dr. Clark was sur- prised at the number of ideas brought for- ward, and still more surprised to know how well posted the younger meuwbers of vis flock were in regard to church affairs, Wher all the ideas bad been sifted down pedi-cerned itevolved 1tself into “*help” — Clristian belp. render this help so that it would be ap- preciated and understood in the way it was intended. It was first decided to pget better ac- quainted with the young people whom it was decided to make better Christians. To this end socials would be given. There wouid be literary exercises and good mu:ic, and any feature calculated to create good-tellowship would be given the greatest consideration. First get ac- quainted, and then the rest wouid be easy. When 1t had been decided to do these things some oune suggzested, “Why not form ourselves into a society for this pur- ose 2'’ “Certainly !"” came from all present. But what should the society be called? Thav one word *‘Help” was all that was needed. Out of that suggestion came the word *“Endeavor,” then “‘Christian Endea- vor.”” The Society of Christian Endeavor was soon decided upon as the name of the new organization, and that same evening a constitution was drawn uv. To be sure, this constitution was short, but its first ciause contained the words, ‘‘Make themselves more useful in the service of God.” And that has b en the aim ever since. The society has been distinctivaly a religious society. Its work has been to induce others to become Christians for purely spiritual reasons. There have been no charitable nor philanthropic induce- ments. The members’ work has been as so that the object of the discussion could | Then began a discussion as to how to | ““Come with me and I will show you the word of God and the good it has done me and my friends. Read and believe, and induce others to do the same.’’ Before the eventful evening at Dr. Clark’s was over the young people had all decided to do several things. They would be better Christians themselves and at- tend all the church services. They would not miss a single one of the weekly prayer mestings and would make con:tant efforts to induce their young friend¢ to attend. There was to be no coaxing under promises of straw- berry festivals nor Sunday-school picnics. Those asked were asked in a straightfor- ward way to do their duty for the great Master’s sake. it was late when the young people got to their homes from that social evening tife for church duties. Tuat the youag people have done what | was not expected of them has been a re- buke to all doubters and a demonstration of the fact that the greatest pleasure to be obtained in this world s that which comes from religion. The contemplation of the beauties of divine thought is the present and highest ideal of the human mind. Inless than a year after the formation of the criginal Society of Christian En- deavor several branches bad been formed. The idea secemed to bs just what was needed to increase the efficacy of church work and all were eager to adopt it. Wherever tried it has a'ways proved the greatest success and has been incalculable aid to hundreds of pastors. Seventeen months after the formation of the original society and in the summer 01882 the first convention of Christian | oped, in less than four years. He could scarcely realize that he was notdreaming. Tne first annual convention held out- side the State of Maine was in 1884. This time about twenty societies met in the Kirk-street church in Lowell, Mass., of which Rev. C. A. Dickinson was the pas- tor. The reverend gentieman had from the beginning been a stanch friend of the movement, and was largely responsible for its spread in Massacbusetts. Thiscon- vention differed little from preceding ones, except in its being larger. But it was doing good work. It was tightening the bonds of good-fellowship and showing the many members what a great interest was taken in the work by others. It was spreading the newsof what was being done and increasing ‘the desire of mem- bers to do ail they could for the society, so as to help it to a still higher position. / PARLOR IN- THE RESIDENCE OF DR. FRANCIS CLARK WHERE THE SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR WAS ORGANIZED. at Dr. Clark’s, but they did not forget all | Endeavorers was beld. The birtholace of | the society, Williston Church, is where they had promised to do by the next morning. Oa the contrary, they were more enthusiastic than ever by the next day. When the time came for the weekly prayer-meeting every member was pres- ent and several more who were anxious to become members. They were taken in, of course, and from that time to the pres- ent have been constaut workers in the cause. The most striking feature about the organizadon of the Society of Chris- tian Endeavor is the earnestness that marked its progress. The members all meant what they said, and when they promised to do a certain thing they did not make the mental reservation, “if convenient.’” The idea was that their religious duties were to be given preference over all other duties except prevented by sickness or family distress. When the young people agreed to go to the weekly prayer-meeting they did not mean that they, would go provided there was nothing better (?) to do, such as al- tending a place of amusement. They meant that they would go unless it was absolutely impossible to do so. And the increase in the attendance at subsequent prayer-meetings and church services soon showed that they meant just what they said. It is hardly likely ‘that more than a dozen of the-older members of the church really believed that the young people would do all that they promised. Even the pas- tor, Dr. Clark, has since stated that he sc.reely believed it would be a success. It seemed like asking too much of youth to give up many of the so-called pleasures of the convention was held and the edifice was packed to overflowing. Five of the societies were represented at thiz convention. Two came from Port- land, Me., two from Newburyport, and one from Burlington, Vt. Considered asa group the young peovle were anac- quainted with one another, for few of those outside of Portland had met any of the members of the original society. But all were imbued with the same idea and bent on working for the same Master. Next year, in 1883, the convention was held in the historic Second Church of Portland, of which the famous and de- vout Edward Payson was once the pastor. On this occasion there were about twice as many present as the preceding year, and if anything there was a great deal more enthusiasm. By this time the mem- bers were fairly well acquainted with one another. They had learned how to work for the good of all. Much the same order of business was gone through with as at ibe convention of the preceding year. The same songs were sung and thesame topics discussed. A comparison of notes made a most gratifying showing; so gratifying in fact that many of the pastors present expressed surprise that such a thing coula be brought about, and especially in such a short space of time. One old minister declared that if he bad been asked his opinion of such a movement four years previous he would have declared it to be impossible. But granting it to be pos- gible, he would have said that it could not be evolved in less than a quarter of a century. And there it was, fully devel- (= WILLISTON CHURCH The year following the convention in Lowell, Mass., the convention again went back to Maine. Thistime toa pretiy spot on the Atlantic coast, where the attend- ance was larger than ever. This year— 1885—was the most important in the his- tory of Christian Endeavorers since th society’s orgzanization. It was then jhat the United Society of Christian Endeavor was founded and has since spread: the good work to all parts of the world. Dur- ing the convention the first plans for cot- centrated work were formulated and..a burean of information estabhished. Thg work done then has never béen changed, and the offices created then remain the | same to-day ana go on with the work for which they were intended. L'he first sec- retary of the society was appointed at this mee:ing, and a sam of momney raised" among those present for the purpose of paying his expenses. t Later in the year 1885 the first societiey outside of America were established; namely, at Foo Chow, China, and at Ceylon. In 1886 and 1887 the annual conventions were heldin Saratoga, N. Y., and were marked for the aeep spiritual feeling dis- played by those present. At the first of these conventions ~was in- augurated the early morning prayer- meeting that has since been adopt- ed by all the societies all overthe world wherever there is a district meeting. The earnestness of these young | eople is man- ifested in the fact that these meetings are held at 6 o’clock in tne morning. Consid- ering youth’s well-known aversion. to early rising itis surprising to learn thaton all occasions the attendance is as great-ds it is at the other meetings held during thie day. o The convention of 1888 was held in ‘Chi- cago, and at least 5000 members attended. This was the first of the big conventioss. The conventions of the years that fol- lowed have not been marked hy the adoj- tion of any new forms, but have shown'a constant increase in at tandance. : In 1889 the convention was held i: ) adelphia, Pa. In 1890 it went to St. Loiiis and in 1891 to Minneapo! < The convention of 1892 was held in Nex York and proved a great surprise to the metropolitans. There were nearly 30,009 in attendance. : During the last few years the ‘conwen tions have been held as follows: * Montreal; 1894, Cleveland, Obio; 18 Boston; 1896, Washingzton. With the ception of the Montreal convention .exch has been larger than the preceding. -At the Washington convention ove: 50,000 attended. S At present the constitution is printed in St. Louis in at least fifty lahguages, and membership cards are scatteredall over the world. Wherever thereare Chf is- tian people there is a Society of Christi Endeavor. It is world wide in scope and action. All denominations are at liberty to join and can do sb withgut fear of antagonism to their personal be: liefs. The original id~a was to spread the word of God and buiid up the Christian church; and who can say that the'society , PORTLAND, MAINE. is notdoing what it started out todo? Only one statement is necessary—its member- ship has increased from the fifty young people who met in D- Clark’s parlor abont seventeen years ago to 2,500,000 at the present time. 5 THE ARMY COMING. | Continued from First Page. i vilion. It was decided that it would be necessary.to continue the work of regis. tration during all of Tuesday afternoon and evening, while the concert is taking place in the Pavilion, in order that neither shall interfere with the other. The regis tration for the afternoon and evening will be conducted entirely 1n Machinery Hall, | where a number of the State deiegnel; have their headquarters. Beveral noteu visitors have reached the City in advance of the body of delegates. Professor Benjamio Chap- Tokio, Japan, is among the number. stpdents for the Christian work. Profes- sor Cuappell will remain here during the ressions of the convention. Dr. John M. Whitney, & prowminent physician of Hono- luiu, has also arrived. It is expected that a number of dele- gaies will leave Honolulu on the steamer of June 30 to attend the convention. Among them are tne following from the Hawaiian Christian Endeavor Union: D, Leima Maoni, a native Hawalian, who is president of the Christian Endeavor So- | ciety Kawaiabao of that church in Hono- | lulu. From the Christian Endeavor So- ciety of the Central Union Church come | Lyie A. Dickey, president of the Hawaiian Christian Endeavor Union, Mrs. Laura Pires, Mrs. Maria Korbes and R. F. Wood- ward. From the socieiy of Puia of the foreign church at Paia Mani, Hawaiian Islands, Mrs, Leonsrd. From the society of the foreign church of Hilo, Hawaii, Mrs, Herbert Austin has already arrived. Itis expected that the delegation from Humboldt County and one from Portland, Or., will arrive on Saturday by steamer. Reports irom the East indicate that the number of special trains hav- increas the number reported yesterday was fifty- two, and in addition it is stated that the rezular trains are being crowded with travelers to California. T. e railroad com- panies, in common with the general pub- lic, are exceedingly surprised at the won- | derful increase in the amount of travei to already | California, The Sounthern Pacific Com- rany, which will handle this traffic from : | Ozden west, is taking the greatest care to pell, dean of the theological seminary in | : & the gr The | theological seminary with which he is! connected is one which trains Japanese | prevent accidents. Trains wiil be run one hour apart, and, as far as possiole, no train will be permitted to leave any station un- il the train ahead of it has left the next station on the road; in this way it is be- lieved that even the possibility of acci- dents will be avoided. Arrangements have been made by which delegales wearing badges mav be admitted to the Hovkins Institute of Art at any time free of charge. The emergency hospital service during the Cbristian Endeavor Convention will be made as effectual and compiete as pos- sible. The rooms for this service are being put in fine condition. The hospital ut the Mcchanics’ Pavilion is situated at the left of the main or Lar- kin-street errirance, and the one at Wood- ward’s Pavilion will occupy a large and commodious storeroom at 225 Valencia street, ad joining the main entrance to the pavilion. Each hospital will bave in constant at- tendance an ab e corps of trained nurses, and wiil be fully equipped with all need- fu: emergency supplies. The following physic.ans and surgeons have kindly vol- unteered their services, some of whom the convention: Directors—Dr. E. E. Kelly, Dr. R. L. Rigdon; superintendent, Dr. B. F. C.arke; attending physicians and surgeons—Dr. A. D. Prentice, Dr. E1 8. Howard, Dr. Harriet Hubbeli, Dr. Campbell Ford, Dr. F. B. Sutnerland, Dr. Kate Overacker. The following circular is being sent out from the headquarters to the clergy of the various churcles in thie city: The committee of '97 desire to call your special attention to the Thursday morning meeting to be held at the Mechanics’ ana Woodward’s Garden pavilions. This will be the opening meeting of the convention, and we desize that all Christian people make a special effort to have this meeting well at- tended. Will you please urge your congrega- tion to turn out en masse to these meetings, that we may start this convention with the hearty local support of the Christian commu- nity, many of the visitors not arriving in time to atteud. Also, may I ask you to an- nounce the concert to be given on Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening at the Me- chanics’ Pavilion. The membersof the socie- ties of Christian Endeavor have had these tickets for this concert for sale, or tickets may ¢lso be ob'ained at the door for 50 cents. these two notices, and trust that the outcome of this conveution may be such as to have warranted all the energy Lhat has been put into it, and that you and your chaige may re- ceive your full share of the blessings that we trust will attend it. Very truly yours. C. F. BAKER, Secretary. An important part of the arrangements will be in atiendance at each session of | We shall grea:ly appreciate yourattention to | for the convenience of the delegates will be the free messenger services. A call is being sent out to the Sunday-schools and other religious organizations, asking for boys tweive years of age and over to vol- unteer for this important branch of work. A grand concert will be given in Me- chanics’ Pavilion by the First Congrega- tional orchestra. The doors of Mechanics’ Pavilion will be open at 8 A. M. for Endeavorers who wish to register. The services at both pavilions will begin at 9:30 A. ., 2:30 p. M., and 7:30 evernings. Woodward’s Pavilion and the auditorium in the Mechanics’ Pavilion will be open at 8:30 A. M., 1:50 p. M, and 6:30 evenings for registered attendants of the convention presenting the convention badge. Early admission will ba by the Grove- street doors to Mechanics' Pavilion, and the Queen-strect entrance to Woodward’s Pavuion., The general public will be admitted to both pavilions at 9:30 A. M. and 2:30 P. A and 7:30 evenings. Endeavorers desiring to register and vroperly accredited members of the press will be admitted atany time to Mechanics’ Pavilion by Polk-street entrance. Those entitled to early admission: First—Those wearing the convention badge. Secoud — Those tickets, Tnird—Members of the chorus. Fourth—Members of the press, upon presenting proper credentials. Fifth—Members of the '97 committee. Sixtu—Trustees of the United Society, who will wear the trustees’ badge. presenting plnlon;: ADVANCE GUARD. Some Endeavorers Arrive at Oakland. The advance guard of the army of in- coming tourists arrived at the Oakland mole shortiy after 12 o’clock last night. The regular overland train of the South- ern Pucific, due at 8:45 o’clock last even- ing,was run in three sections and was four bours late. This one train, or properly speaking three trains in one, brought nearly 1000 tourists, Yesterday the rezular transfer company was advised that the baggage would con- sist of 1000 pieces. In order to handle the immense quantities of baggage that must be cared for during the coming week, the company has largely increased its force of | agents and teams. Checking agents have been sent East as far as Salt Luke. The chi problem confronting the Southern Pacific is how to feed the tour- ists between Ogden and the ocean. Com- missary cars have been sent forward with large quantities of provisions and many dining-cars have been added to the regu- lar equipment. The fact is now fully realized that avast number of passengers are coming on the regular trains. The majority of the Chris- tian Endeavor people, prover, travel in special trains, with ‘‘diners” attached. Tbe low rate, howeyer, has hroug:nt 10 the rail many tourists who do_not belong to organized delegations, and they must be provided for. Tne railway managers recogniz» that the capacity of the Southern Pacitic sys- 2 is about to be tested as it was never tested before. Method, discipline, cau- tion and activity must be used at Oakland moie to prevent confusion or worse whien the regular trains running in_double and triple sections, re-enforced by the fifty-one special trains now scheduled to leave Og- den nex: Monday and Tuesday, arrive at the bay. 2 s T LOS ANGELES SEES THEM. LOS ANGELES, CavL, July 2—The ad- vance guard of the army of Christian En- deavorers arrived in Los Angeles to-day from the East, though it was plainly ap- parent that the majority of the tourists were not members of the organization which will convene in San Francisco. The first detachment of visitors confirmed the expectation that many Eastern people who were merely in search of climate and sights would tuke advantage of the cheap excursion rates to come to California. The Christian Endeavorers in the great parties that came to-day were easily dis- tingnishable by their badges and they were welcomed by local members of the orga ization, who in committees awaited t! coming of each train. i The regular Santa Fe overland and two special trains came in from the east loaded with passengers. Delegates and others were conducted to local headquar- ters in the Y. M. C. A. puilding and there they were made to feel at home. Carriage drives and other amuselgents were pro- vided for the visitors and all seemed to have a general good time. To-morrow the great crowd is expected to arrive, Fully nine trainloads are booked 1o come in. The local committees expect to be equal to the rush of gnests. The special excursion train for San Francisco will leave on Monday. SRR Again in Hanford’s Jail, HANFORD, Cac, July 2. — William Gautier, alias “Rattlesnake Bill,”’who was arrested here last winter on suspicion that be was one of the Taylors, the murderers of the Weeks family in Missouri, is in the toilsagain. He committed battery to-day. upon B. F. Lane, the man who caused his arrsst last winter, and is now in_the county jail in default of bail, Al NEW TO-DAY. * should have the place of ' homer on your dining-room ' table, being a rich and most delicious beverage, an appetizer par excellence and a sure health sustainer. 1s perfect as a Ma't Extract and strictly a Non-Intoxicant. All Druggists. VAL BLATZ BREWI 6 5 MILWAUKEE, WIS., U. S. A« LOUIS CAHEN & SON, Who'es * cDealers, 416 | .8 Sacramento St.