How “Liberty” was Distributed at the Christian Endeavor Convention
By W. A. C.
THE Christian Endeavor number of Liberty contained matter particularly adapted to young people and to Christian Endeavorers. How to place this in the hands of the delegates to the Christian Endeavor Convention held July 10-15, at Seattle, Wash., and avoid giving offense, or seeming to intrude, was a problem not easily solved. But believing that this should be done, and that there was a right way to do it, the brethren of the North Pacific Union Conference ordered twenty thousand copies of this number for this purpose, trusting that if they sought the Lord in the matter, he would show them how to dispose of them. We believe the Lord heard their prayers, and guided them in adopting the plan they did. The following extracts from letters tell how this work was done. Writing under date of July 30, 1907, Elder A. J. Breed, vice-president of the North Pacific Union Conference, says:— “Well, the Christian Endeavor Convention is over. The convention was a big affair. It did not pan out with the number of delegates expected, but they finally agreed that there were about ten thousand, all told, outside of the city of Seattle. Liberty took well among them. We followed this plan: Instead of going directly to the meeting or to the grounds, we formed districts, and appointed one or more in each of these to place the magazines in the hands of the delegates, thinking this better than to go into the meetings or onto the grounds to distribute them. It was not long before we were convinced that it was the better way. After about three days, we had fourteen thousand copies in the hands of the delegates and others, but principally in the hands of the delegates, as that was our work; but where others were anxious to get them, as they not infrequently were, we gave them to such. I must say that I have never seen a more interested body of workers than those engaged in placing Liberty in the hands of the people. Many wanted to pay for them, and one sister could not be prevailed upon to let them alone, but wanted to go onto the street and see if they would sell. Within a few minutes she sold forty-five, and wanted more.” Under date of August 7, Elder F. M. Burg, president of the Western Washington Conference, writes:— “We had a good time distributing these papers. I think a good work was done for the delegates, as well as for many others who took advantage of the special rates over the railroads, and came to Seattle at the time of the convention. Elder Breed was with us throughout the convention, and gave good counsel relative to the work. We spent a great deal of time in counseling together, and seeking wisdom from God,21that the work might be done in the way to accomplish the most good. We all felt especially anxious to avoid the appearance of antagonizing the Endeavorers, and tried not to give them occasion or opportunity to hold us and our work up to unfavorable criticism before the convention or before the public. After careful deliberation, we decided that it would present a more dignified aspect, and appeal more favorably to every one, if we should get the papers into the hands of the people altogether away from the convention grounds. So the workers who had come in to help distribute the literature prepared for hard work, and a committee was appointed to lead out, district the city, and direct in detail. A house-to-house canvass was made, with the primary aim to reach the delegates, who were largely entertained in the homes of the people; and yet, secondary to this, to place the paper in every home where, in the judgment of the worker, it seemed wisdom to do so. We had many more papers than were required to supply the delegates, since there were not, by many thousands, as many in attendance as we were led to look for. Expecting twenty thousand delegates, we ordered that many papers; but the highest estimate places the number in attendance at seven thousand.” “We had about fifteen workers placing papers, and about fourteen or fifteen thousand were put into the hands of the people. Just how many delegates were reached we can not tell; but from reports it is evident that a large percentage of the Endeavorers received a copy of this very important number of Liberty. “Each day at noon all would come together in the North Seattle church, and report the work done, and any special experience that had been encountered. I wish that you could have been with us in this work, and especially that you could have attended these noon meetings. The enthusiasm among the workers increased every day, till at the close of the convention it seemed really hard for them to let go. Most of them had to go to their respective lines of work from which they had been called; but by special arrangement a number stayed in the city for a few days, and, under leadership, worked in the business part of the city, placing the journal in the hands of officials and business men. “I might say in closing, that since attending this convention of the Christian Endeavorers, I am impressed that we have a special duty toward the many thousands of earnest young people who make up this influential organization. I am sure that I understand their purposes and aims, and, I think, too, their motives, better than I did; and I therefore feel an interest that I have not had before to see them reached in the way that will help them where they need help. There are certain fundamental truths that they need, and these very things we have as a people to give them. I hope there may be some wise plans laid in connection with the work by our denominational young people’s societies that will do very much in this direction.” We are thankful for this good solution to a vexed problem. We are also glad to know that so many of these earnest and representative young people throughout the country have a copy of this number of Liberty to read and study. This is indeed seed sown in good ground.