The Christian Endeavor Convention by A. J. Breed

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

The Christian Endeavor Convention

By A. J. Breed

ANOTHER event of the century has been the holding of the great Christian Endeavor Convention at Seattle, Wash., July 10-15, 1907. It was estimated that ten thousand delegates were in attendance. The convention being international, interdenominational, and interracial, brought delegates from all parts of the world. Representatives from different countries were in attendance, many of them taking part in the program that was arranged for the occasion.

Twenty-six years ago Francis E. Clark, the founder of the association, was pastor of a small church at Portland, Maine. Being desirous of furnishing work for young people, he spent much of his time studying as to what could be done to keep them employed in church work. After considerable time spent in studying and planning, he formed a society in his own church, which has grown into the great Christian Endeavor Societies of all the world.

Character and Object of the Society

The character, objects, and aims of the association are set forth as follows:—

“Christian Endeavor is a providential movement, and is promoted by societies composed largely of young people of both sexes found in every land and in every section of the Christian church. Its covenant for active members demands faith in Christ, open acknowledgment of Christ, service for Christ, and loyalty to Christ’s church.

“Its activities are as wide as the needs of mankind, are directed by the churches of which the societies are an integral part, and are carried on by carefully organized committees, embracing all the members.

“Its strength lies in the voluntary obligation of its covenant pledge, and its adaptability to all classes and conditions of men.

“Its ideals are spirituality, sanctity, enthusiasm, loyalty, fellowship, thorough organization, and consecrated devotion.”

There are sixty-nine thousand local Christian Endeavor Societies in all the world, with a total membership of three and one-half millions. During the twenty-six years of its existence, fifteen million dollars have been given by the Society to missionary and charitable objects. Among the principal objects of the Society are systematic efforts for temperance, social purity, sabbath (Sunday) observance, municipal reform, and the cause of peace. Societies have been formed in more than sixty evangelical denominations, and literature has been printed in eight or more languages. Its religious influence and impulses, according to their own statement, “can not be weighed, measured, or tabulated.”

The meetings of this convention were held in two large pavilions, pitched near the center of the city, which would comfortably seat ten thousand people, and many hundreds and thousands had to be turned away because they could not be accommodated. The program was repeated in some of the largest churches at the same hour, and these were so packed to their utmost capacity that many could not find seats even there. I do not know when I have ever seen such earnestness and devotion and enthusiasm by any people. After summing up the matter carefully and studying the different subjects presented, the main object of the convention seemed to be to bring about a better state of things; and to do this men would have to be elected to government positions who would work for the suppression of the liquor traffic and for better observance of the sabbath (Sunday).

Address of Vice-President Fairbanks

Vice-President Fairbanks was in attendance, and in his address made the following statements:—

“Industries, commerce, transportation facilities, great material progress—these are not the trophies that we most prize. It is rather the Christian and patriotic intelligence of eighty-five million people that is our chief glory as a nation. This is a Christian nation, and it is to be forever a Christian nation. This Christian Endeavor Society will contribute infinitely to its preservation as such. We are a peace-loving people. We have no fear of any power on the face of the earth, and none need fear us. Our guiding star will be justice and righteousness among the nations of the earth, and we shall throw our influence on the side of preserving international peace and settling differences by reason rather than by great fleets and armies. We will never compromise our national honor, or demand that any other nation do so.”

Mr. Fairbanks was made an honorary member by a unanimous vote by the thousands assembled, and amid cheers and clapping of hands was introduced as the youngest member of the Christian Endeavor Society.

Universal Peace Predicted

During the convention, Francis E. Clark, president of the Christian Endeavor Society, cabled Horace Porter, commissioner to the Peace Conference at The Hague, expressing the sympathy of the United States, Canada, and Mexico with the objects of the conference, and urging acceptance of the interparliamentary plan. The following is the context of the cablegram:— “North American Christian Endeavorers in convention assembled assure you of sympathy, and urge acceptance of the interparliamentary plan.”

President Clark, amid tumultuous applause, said that with at least three million American Endeavors behind them, the hands of all the delegates of The Hague would be strengthened, and the cause of peace advanced. “It is only a matter of a few years now,” he said, “when war will be no more, and one of the most potent factors in bringing about this most desired object will prove to be the Christian Endeavors.” In his opening address he said: “The Hague Conference is in session, and more conferences will be held, I believe, until at last men beat their spears into pruning-hooks, and nations learn war no more.” How little do those who talk thus realize that this is what the Lord, through prophecy, said the people would say in the last days (Isa. 2:2-5; Micah 4:1-5), and that the very cry of peace and safety is itself a sign of sudden and soon-coming destruction. The following words of the apostle Paul, which refer so directly and specifically to this time, seem not to be understood or thought of: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1-3.

Dr. Matthews, of the First Presbyterian Church, representing the Christian churches of the city, in his address of welcome said: “Our two great crimes are the open saloon and sabbath desecration.” “Our sabbath desecration is making of this an immoral and criminal nation, and unless we stop, repent, and properly observe God’s day, we shall have to suffer an awful national judgment.”

President Roosevelt Accepts Membership

At the December meeting of the executive committee of the trustees of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, unanimous and hearty approval was given to the inauguration of a Christian Endeavor Patriots’ League under the general society, for “the definite organization of the young people for the growth of patriotic sentiment and training in civic duties.” The President of the United States, accepting membership in this league, sent the following message of encouragement to the convention:—

“It will be a pleasure to accept honorary membership in your Christian Endeavor Patriots’ League, for I am sure that with the general purposes and efforts of that league I shall have the heartiest sympathy, though, of course, I could not commit myself in advance to agree with all their views without knowing them. I wish you Godspeed in your work.”

Platform of the Christian Endeavor Patriots’ League

“The Christian Endeavor Patriots’ League is an enrolment of those whose aim is the promotion of civic righteousness and national welfare. It is the purpose of the league to take up courageously the duties of a Christian citizen. Its members will seek a knowledge of public affairs, of the laws, needs, and possibilities of their town, their State, and the United States. They will labor for the election of good and efficient

office-holders, for the observance of existing laws, for the adoption of improved laws, for the encouragement and aid of patriots, and the downfall of all enemies of the country. They will seek to promote the cause of temperance and personal purity, the betterment of municipal politics, the improvement of the conditions of labor, the rational use of the Lord’s day for rest and worship. All this they determine to do in the measure of their opportunities and powers, under the guidance and in the strength of Jesus Christ.”

Distribution of Religious Liberty Literature

As we looked upon this mass of young people, the flower of our own nation as well as of others, the question that seemed to occupy our minds most was, What can be done to reach them with the truth? We decided that the best thing we could do for them at this time was to order twenty thousand copies of the July, or Christian Endeavor, number of Liberty for free distribution among them. A company of workers was called together in Seattle, the city was carefully districted, and fourteen thousand copies of the magazine were placed in the hands of the delegates and others during this convention. Brother Carl E. Weeks, the North Pacific Union bookman, with Brother Ernest Oberg, of western Oregon, and Brother Davis, of western Washington, were active in training and assisting workers during this time. The workers met at the church every day at twelve o’clock, where experiences were related, and plans talked over for further carrying on the work. I do not know when I have ever met with a more earnest, devoted, lively class of workers than were engaged in distributing this reading-matter. It was interesting to hear them relate their experiences. Some were quite timid in taking hold of the work at first, but grew more encouraged day after day, until finally they wanted to go on the streets to sell the magazine, which met with a ready sale wherever it was offered. In almost every instance, the people took the magazine freely, and would follow the workers on the streets, asking for more, that they might send to their friends in the East. Several thousand copies have been placed in the hands of lawyers and other business men of the city since the convention.

This move has demonstrated that the people are glad to get Liberty; and if earnest efforts are put forth to place the magazine in the hands of the people, especially those who are interested in the special lines it teaches, many of them will take their stand for the truth when it is presented to them. Now is our time to work. A. J. BREED.