The Christian Endeavor Convention
By B. F. Kneeland
IN some respects the International Convention of the United Societies of Christian Endeavor, held at Atlantic City, New Jersey, June 6 to 12, 1911, was an epoch-making event. Every State and province on the North American continent was represented among the 8,000 delegates, who, with the visitors, packed the two immense auditoriums located on the "Million Dollar Pier," where the meetings were held. The writer was greatly impressed with the magnitude of the movement that was represented by the thousands of young people who entered so heartily into the spirit of the occasion. It is evident that they are tremendously in earnest in the work they have undertaken, and there is no question but that a great deal of good has been accomplished by the Christian Endeavor Society. The enthusiasm of the young people was roused to the highest pitch by the stirring addresses given by men of national reputation. Considerable emphasis was placed by the leaders on the fact that the convention was, in a way, recognized by the Government in the presence of President Taft and Speaker Champ Clark. Both of these officials applauded in their speeches the entrance of the Christian Endeavorers and other church organizations into the arena of politics. The young people were urged to plunge still deeper into the political activities of the nation. These sentiments were cheered to the echo by the assembled thousands. The thunderous applause and the vigor with which the various delegations gave their respective State "yells" indicated that they might easily be made to feel at home in a political convention. To Swing the Church into Politics
Such emphatic endorsement, by men who stand at the very head of the nation, of the movement on the part of many church leaders to swing the forces of the church into political affairs, can not but give a mighty impetus to this attempt to place the church in a position where she can dictate the policies of the State, and force legislators to pass whatever laws the leaders of the church shall decide ought to be on the statute-books. An indication that these leaders see the situation in this light is in a sentence which I will quote from one of the resolutions passed without dissent by the convention. Speaking of one of the laws now pending in the national Congress, the resolution says: "Let either the law, or its congressional foes, be passed, and that right early." The close student of church history can not fail to note the remarkable likeness between conditions that prevailed in the third and fourth centuries and those of to-day. Those conditions developed the Papacy; and the people who are giving the message of the third angel, can only feel their faith in God's Word and message grow stronger as they thus actually see a reproduction of that power growing up before their eyes. Now, as never before, should we sound with loud voice the warning that God has given us for this generation. That the Christian Endeavorers have a sincere desire to be of real service to humanity, is shown by the great efforts they are making to bring about the establishment of international arbitration, and thus avoid the war and bloodshed that has so often disgraced our civilization. But the dream of universal peace that is held before them, and which seems such a laudable object, is, as we know from the study of the Bible, destined to a most disastrous awakening. About a score of Protestant denominations were represented on the board of trustees, which elected the officers and practically did the business of the convention. An effort is being made to bring about a federation of all the young people's societies. It is easy to see that such an organization, presided over by men of years and experience, would be a most powerful factor in promoting any enterprise in which its leaders would point the way. One of the ways which that leadership is almost certain to continue to follow is indicated by the strong resolution introduced in favor of Sunday laws. This was passed without a word of protest, and without a dissenting vote. The idea of reforming the world by law seems a very popular one now; and with the leaders of the church urging political activity upon the members, and the great men of the nation opening the doors and inviting the church to enter politics, there can be little doubt that we shall see remarkable activity on the part of those who are clamoring for religious laws in the national Government, and more stringent legislation in the States where this class of statutes has already a foothold. The delegates were emphatically assured by Speaker Champ Clark that the world is rapidly getting better. President Taft and other speakers looked forward to an era of peace, and some of the enthusiastic ones thought they could almost see universal peace within their grasp. B. F. Kneeland.