The Scranton tribune. (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, October 09, 1896, Page 8, Image 8

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    THE SCRANTON TRIBUNE FBIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 9, 1890.
END OF
Convention Closed
Consecration
OFFICERS WERE ELECTED
Est. A. B. Philpntt, of Philadelphia,
Succeeds Dr. McCrory as Presi
dent New Departnmt of Evan
gelistic Work Craata-, and Re?.
C. A. Oliisr, or York, Made
its Superintendent Thm Scran
tomans Get Yice-Presidencies,
Charles E. Daniels, Rev. J. K.
Dixon, D. D., and Miss Delia P.
Evans Bes and Biggest Cinven
tioa Day Rally of the Juniors an
Important Feature Consecration
Services in the Evening.
: a 3 .... . o -sses -sc
LEV. J. T. M'l.'UORY. D. n..
of Pittsburg, IV' Retiring IVcsldcht Who
Itfls Served Two Terms, fays the Con
vention Wni Eminently Succosslul
uiid Scrn mo:i Dkl Gloriously Well.
Idnoi ol Vtie i'ribiiuv :
Sir :Scrntiton has done gloriously
l the Convcution ol' 'llil 1 wish to
he pink for the Slate I moil the grati
liciiliou we feel lit the iniintier iu
ulitch we and our movement have
been received by your people; to bx
pus our thank for their open
henrted hospitality, und to congrnttt
late the Scranton Eiideuvorers,
;i Uciiiiuly their Committee of '00,
on the most excellent arraugeiueutt
planned and carried out lor this emi
nently successful convention.
I would also beg you to ucrejit my
1'iitilirntiilntioiis on your thorough and
painstaking report1) oft he Convention
proceeding and to believe that the
press of Scrnnton has won a warm
place iu the hearts of the Christian
Endr-nvorers of Pennsylvania.
J. T. Mt-CRORY,
Retiring Slate President.
Sernnloii, Pn Oct. 8, 180(1.
The biggest, Inst and best day of the
Christian Endeavor convention was
yesterday. Excepting two Instances
the dny passed without a hitch or a
hindrance. The exceptions were the
inubllity of John G. Wooley, the famed
temperance orator, to make railroad
connections and reach here In time for
the two nfternoon addresses scheduled
for him at Elm Park church and the
Frothingham theater (though ho ap
peared at nlcht and spoke In the three
places of meeting) and the failure
nf the nominating committee to report
until evening on Its selection of state
officers. These discrepancies, however,
were lost sight of In the general pro
gramme. The weather could not have boon
finer. It was cold, but the sun phono
and the air was crisp and bracing' and
seemingly in keeping- with the interest
and doings of the big gathering of En
deavorers. There was the usual series of sun
rise services in many churches, morn
ing sessions in the Froth Ingham and
Elm Park church, which were especi
ally featured by the reports of conven
tion commit tcees and committee con
ferences and addresses; afternoon ses
sions of parliament doings and ad
dresses in those two places; a magnitl
cent rally of the Juniors in the Elm
Park church, beginning at 3.30 o'clock,
preceded by a band parade of those
young Christians, and (he Impressive
consecration services in all three eon
vention halls In the morning.
The delay in the work of the nomi
nating committee was caused by Its
failure to agree upon someone to sue
ceer Dr. McCrory as president. The
committee convened at 8 o'clock in the
morning, but could not finish Its work
until after the noon hour and In con
sequence there was no election of offi
cers at the morning sessions in him
Park church and the Frothlnghnm, as
programmed, nor during the afternoon,
as there had to be a further change be
fore night In the selections outlined.
Rev. Rufus TV. Miller, of Reauing,
had beeen agreed upon for president
but positively declined to accept.
It was finally decided to recommend
Rev. A. B. Philputt, of Philadelphia, to
succeed Dr. McCrory, of Pittsburg, as
president, and the latter to be first
vice-president and to succeed Mr. Phil
putt as superintendent of Christian
citizenship work. Ir. McCrory was
ttnelly made first vice-president, and
Itov. K. H. Komlg, of Lebanon, Huper
Intendent of Christian citizenship. Sec
retary McDonald, of Altoona, and
Treasurer Ray mors, tt Erie,
ENDEAUOR WORK
with Three Big
fleetings.
were recommended for re-elec
tion, as wore Miss Cordelia Jumolson.
of Reltzhoovcr, .superintendent of
.Junior work; Thomas Patton, jr.,- of
Philadelphia, superintendent of cor
respondence; J. t. Manning, of Pitts
ton, superintendent of transportation,
and Miss M. Fanny Evans, of Thlla-
i dolphin, mission superintendent
It was recommended that a new state
evangelistic department be created and
thnt Rev. C. A. Oliver, of York, be Its
superintendent. The suggestion was
adopted.
In the selection of new vice-presidents
the old list was almost wholly
revised and In the new make-up Scran
ton gets three Instead of the one. Rev.
W. H. Stubbleblno, who was one of the
'96 vice-presidents.
The vice-president chosen wore:
Rev. Dr. J. T. McCrory, Pittsburg;
Rev. J. F. Hnrtmnn, Altoona; Rev. Dr.
O. B. Stewart, Harrlsburs-; Rev.
Charles Roads, Reading: Rev. Dr. Rtl
fus Miller, Reading; Rev. Dr. J. K.
Dixon, Scranton; Rev. J. P. Miller. Hnr
risburg; Rev. Dr. J. H. Prugh, Pitts
burg; Charles E. Daniels, Scranton; H.
C. Lincoln, Philadelphia: Miss Delia P.
Evans, Scranton: YV. L. Turner, Phila
delphia; FredC. Brlttain, Pittsburg.
RES0LlTI0NST COMMITTEES.
The resolutions committee reported
at the two morning sessions as follows;
Resolved. That all Christian Endeavor,
ers are strongly encouraged to seek the
overthrow of Municipal misrule, ami give
forth a bold proetamutlon for civic and
righteousness In our cities.
Resolved. That we condemn the liquor
business as nefarious and unworthy of le.
gal sanction by a Christian common
wealth. Resolved, That this committee severely
condemns all Sabbath desecrations and
urge every union and local society to ap
point a committee on Sabbath observance.
ttesoiveo, lint nsi;nn?uan r.nueavon'is
In ma-s meeting assembled we hereby ex
press our abhorrence of the colossal and
bnrharloiis massacres In Armenia thut
have left an Inilelbible slain upon the nine
tenth century, and that we show our
sympathy for the surviving by liberally
supportlm; the noble relief work now be
ins' curried on by American missionaries,
nnd under the direction of our distln-L-uhliol
country-woifli.n. Clara Urn-ion,
Jll .-Mill-Hi Ol lilt .I1IC11CH11 litfll 1. I U)!.
Resulved, That we call upon the govern-ni-nt
to take such steps an sluill be nee
i : s:n y to secure full ami innneilinte satis
faction for the damage inflicted on our
fellow. citizens iu Turkey, and to guar
antee tin in full protection of person, prop
erly and rights In the prosecution of their
lawiui occupations.
Resolved, Thai copies of these resolutions-,
be transmitted to the president of
the L'nited Slates, the secretary of state
and to our senators und representatives In
conuress.
Ktsnlv ed. That our tlunk.! are due to
Postmaster General Wilson for remorlnu
Postmaster Waiiamnker's plan of local
option in tlie mutter of closing postotlb -e.-i
on Sunday.
Resolved. That w.- assure our retiring
president, Rev. J. T. .l.-Ororey, of our
sincere appreciation of love ror his Very
Indefatigable and successful labors ds
president of the State union during the
past two yeais. and thnt our prayers shall
follow him In all his future career: we ulso
desire to record our appreciation of Hie
elllclent labors of our state secretary,
Georne McDonald, and our state treasur
er, 11. J. Huyinole, and to all the mem
bers of the executive committee ol our
State union.
Resolved, Further, that our thanks are.
due to the Committee of "M of Scranton, to
the Christian lOndenvorer societies, the
churches, the Young Men's Christian as
sociation, the reception committee, the so
loists und choirs, the press and citizens,
and to the official board of the Elm Pak
church, all of whom have assisted in mak
ing this a delightful and memorable con
vention to us all.
Resolved, Thai we recommend to the ex
ecutive committee that these resolutions
lie published and sent far and wide to the
Christian Endeavor societies throughout
our state in order to better acquaint them
with the sentiment of the convention.
ALLEN PHILPITT.
H. J. RAY.MOHK. Chairman.
Secretary.
Teh social committee suggested sev
eral plans for attracting prospective
members of the society.
According to the report of the audit
ing committee the accounts of State
Treasurer Kaymore were found cor
rect. The lookout committee presented an
encouraging report. One of its sugges
tions was that hereafter no members
be dropped until after consultation
with the pastors.
IN THE ELM PARK CHURCH.
The day In Elm Park church opened
at 8.45 o'clock with a song and devo
tional service. Dr. McCrory presided
and announced thnt the addresses of
Miss Leitch and her appeals for the
Armenians had borne fruit and that
there hnd been a sum of money con
tributed which would be forwarded
through the proper channels.
Rev. F. A. Martin, of Troy, conducted
a parliament on the "Deepening of the
Spiritual Life." In his introductory
talk he dwelt upon the channels hi
which the Christian should travel
through life In order to deepen the
spiritual lire. Before we can Inhale wo
must exhale. The Heavenly Father Is
willing to give us the breath of a holy
life if we but ask for It; then we may
edify our fellow men by the example
we exhale. Strength is, developed by
exercise. We should exercise our re
ligious muscles by practice as we would
our physical muscles. The deepening
of the spiritual life should not be a
morbid Introspection. We should look
into ourselves with hopefulness.
Dr. McCrory cited the fact that it had
been remarked that few women had
taken part in the prayer periods and
he suggested that only they take part
In a brief devotional service. This was
done and was followed by Hinging.
MR. SHAW'S ADDRESS.
Something of the nddress of Intcrna
tonal Treasurer Shaw, of Boston, Is
contained in The Tribune's report of
the proceedings at the Frothingham
theater.
In recognition of yesterday being the
day of prayer of the Young Men's
Christian association throughout the
world ten minutes were devoted to
prayer for that association.
Dr. Crafts, who lost five minutes of
the time allotted to him in Ills address
of Wednesday night, spoke In favor of
Sunday post office closings. He said:
The cnhlnet has still farther helped re
form during this month by the uctlon nf
the poHtotllee department closing the local
postolllce in Mt. Vernon, N. Y., on tho
Sibbath, in response to a petition orig
inated by the. local Endeavorers and pre
sented through the reform bureau. Tho
action Is of more "than local Interest be
cause It Implies, as the conference and
oorrespondeic& Oil Postmaster General
Wilson with the reiorm -bureau shows, th
deliberate adoption of the local option
principle under which Postninster Ocneraj
Wnnamuker closed Ihlrty postofllces. Let
Kndeiworers everywhere hi once enlist the
co-operation of pastors, of , Kp worth
leagues, and of the Woman's Christian
Temperance union and secure voted en
dorsement of churches and societies und
personal signatures sutllcleiit to show that
closing Is desired by a majority of th-$
adult residents, and bring the petitions as
trophies to the Washington convention
in July, to b thsn preienttd to tht d-
department. We sungest the following, or
u similar form of petition:
FORM OF PETITION.
To the Honorable the Postmaster Oener.il:
The undersigned societies and Individ
uals earnestly petition you to suspend
all Sunday work In connection with tho
locul postolflce of , In considera
tion of the rights of conscience and the
right to rebt of government employes and
the public.
Endorsed by vote by the following or
ganisations at regularly called nicotinic:
, whose membership Is .
(Attest :) , Secy. . tsthi.
Individual signatures of others.
Name. Occupation. 1
None under M to sign.
I'se Mr., Mrs. or Mls.
Dr. Crafts will at the next national
convention present a banner to tha
slate making the best record for Sab
bath reform. Xhe national organ has
adopted Dr. Craft's suggestion to make
the retorm an Endeavor specialty dur
ing the next year. At Willlamsport all
the young people's church societies are
circulating the petition mentioned in
the foregoing.
Rev. Dr. Roads, stnte editor of the
Keystone Endeavorer, spoke in the In
terests of that paper.
Particulars of the reports from com
mittees conferences and convention
committees are reported elsewhere In
this Issue of The Tribune.
An adjournment was made until 2
o'clock.
Afternoon Session.
The largest throng at any single day
session nncked and squeezed itself Into
Kim Park church In the nfternoon and
when the meeting opened at 2 o'clock
there was not a vacant seat in the
house &nd scores were standing In the
gallnries and about the nuditorlum.
The meeting opened with the singing
of several gospel selections under the
leadership of Professor J. - M. Chance
and with piano and cornet accompani
ment. A scripture reading and prayer
followed.
Dr. McCrory presided and Introduced
J. B. Elsenwein. of Meyerstown, who
led the open parliament, which lasted
a half hour. In the theme "One Thous
and new societies organized and ten
thousand souls saved during the com
ing year by the Endeavorers of Penn
sylvania: how can lt .be done?" Fred
C. Brittain was to have been the leader
but he was not present. The sub
stance of some of the suggestions were
as folio ivs: . .
"A secretary of the lookout commit.
te should be an organizer, arrange for
meetings where no societies exist, and
give them literature which may be ob
tained from the secretary of the l'nit
ed Endeavor society at Boston.
A good way to enthuse prospective
members of new societies is to get them
to attend rallies and conventions.
'Opposition does not always come
from tlie pastor, the young people are
sometimes against It. In such case a f
good tjIuii is to hold in a given church '
a Endeavor meeting conducted hy n so- I
ciety from another church ol the I
same denomination. !
CO-OPERATION WITH PASTORS. ;
In the work of co-operation with !
pastors in "soul-suviiur work, cottage?
and suburban prayer meetings, and
school house meetings, were suggested
as well ns taking charge of meetings
In the absence ol the pastor.
Now members are helped by giv
ing them assignments on soclul, liter
ature and similar committees.
Personal consecration, a working
knowledge of God's work and the in
filling of the Holy Spirit, are essentials
to lit workers for saving souls. Work
ers' ttuinlng classes are really impera
tive. 'Fixing upon some single person or
number of persons und laboring with
Ihein only, avoids confusion hiuI makes
one's work easier ami more effective."
At the suggestion of the parliament
leader, Mr. and .Mrs. Lowe sang "Saved
One Soul Today." The parliament ses
sion was closed with n moment or two
of silent prayer und self consecration
to win souls. Then was sung by the
congregation the hymn "Bye and Bye"
under the leadership of Professor Lowe.
Dr. McCrory said a surprise was to
be sprung on the meeting, a little sun
shine would lie let in. There was a
time when teaching to the young re
ligion and catchism was as difficult as
giving them castor oil, but nowadays
the methods have been "castnrlal2ed"
and it is easier. He referred then to
the growth nf Junior work nnd said
Stnte Secretary McDonald wliuld do the
rest.
Mr. McDonald then presented to the
union of Bucks county a hnndsome ban
ner, the prize for having organized dur
ing the year the largest proportionate
number of new Junior societies. It
was received by Rev. Hugh A. Sargeant
in a brief speech. The same banner
will he presented from year to year,
Its history to be recorded upon it.
TELEGRAM FROM WOOLEY.
Dr. McCrory announced the receipt
of a telegram from John O. Wooley,
who was to have delivered the address
of the afternoon, dated at Harrlsburg
and saying that he had failed in making
railroad connections. Rev. Dr. W. F.
Crafts, of Washington, was announced
to tnko Mr. Wooley's place. Thnt the
selection was a proper one was shown
In the applause with which Dr. Crafts
was greeted.
The substance of Dr. Craft's address,
one of,.the most interesting henrd dur
ing the convention, appears In The Tri
bune's report of the afternoon meeting
In the Frothlnghnm. Upon his conclu
sion In Elm Park church Dr. Crafts
was given a rising vote of thanks.
At this point it was requested that
those occupying the pews in the main
nudliorluin retire, In order to make
room for the Juniors whose rally began
at n.HO o'clock. The meeting closed
with congregational singing.
Evening Session'.
Before the chimes In Elm Park
church had ceased their pealing In the
evening every seat in the church was
occupied and the late-comers had to be
content with standing room or return
home or go to one of the two other
places of meeting. Throughout the
convention Elm Park church hnB been
the popular place for attending the
sessions und this fact was last night
more than ever apparent.
It seemed approptite that the open
ing song service should begin with
whnt seems to he the ever-welcome
Endeavor song. "There's Sunshine In
My Soul." That and the selections
which immediately followed or were
heard before adjournment were led by
the central city section of the united
choir under the direction of Professor
Chance.
Dr. McCrory began the devotional
service by reading Psalm 144. Prayer
was o er d ty Prefers r Klce, of Wind-
gap, and a duett wus sung by Profes
sor and Mis. Lowe.
Dr. McCroiy ta!d that John O. Wool
ley would be present toward the close
of the session, which would be cur
tailed in so far us possible so that Mr.
Woolley mlpht have time for an ex
ter;dl nddress. Throughout the con
vention the delegates had looked for
wurd tj Mr. Woolley's appearance and
they were disappointed that he did not
appear as programmed for the after
noon. The news of his final presence
in the city was greeted with applause.
OFFICERS NOMINATED.
The rending of the report of the
nominating committee, which appears
at the beginning of The Tribune's con
vention story, was received with hand
clapping at the announcement of the
name of each of the chief otllctrs and
superintendents. It was rend by H. C.
Lincoln, of Philadelphia, one of the
vice-presidents.
After the audience, while standing,
had sung "This Is My Story," the first
Pennsylvania state president of the so
.clety, Bv. J. Lincoln. Lltch, of Beth
lehem, was Introduced and was greeted
with a I'hnutauoim "ulute. Ills dis
course was one scholarly, thoughtful,
llifiiuctne ni.o. ,en ,il,ed to ue (lie
last of the r.iuny of Its kind to be heard
by the delegates. He said:
Fellow Christian Endeavorers: For a
few days we have been gathered together,
with minds Intent upon the inspiring
thoughts which have been set before us.
Wo have had a royal feast. Like the dis
ciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, we
have felt "it is good to be here," and wc
would tain build tabernacles In which to
remain; but even as then, a suffering
world, a world Into which we have been
sent, even as our Lord was sent, demands
our presence, our labor and our love. Shall
we ho down to it so refreshed by our tarry
on the mount, that even dumb devils shall
yield to the power that dwells within
and rescued souls praise His name? Such
should be the result. But will it?
Our Lord rebuked the disciples then, lw
rause of their unbelief, and ascribed to
that their failure to save. To ns
Udnved of the Lord, must failure come, If
In our struugle with ihe powers of hell;
faith does not abide in Him; for our Ill
ness for the service to wii.co me -.an f
calls depends altogether upon the faith
with which we accept the promise of
grace and the degree of self surrender
with which we yield ourselves to Him. To
bring this truth before you this evening, I
have chosen as my topic, "The Christians'
Standing and Standard."
As you are all aware, this expression,
"Our Standing,'' Is one derived from the
forms and usages of court life, anil de
scribes the acceptance or favor one may
or does enjoy In the regard of the poten
tate whom he serves. Thus we read:
"Spest thou a man duipr" In "i.
ness, he shall stand before kings," (Prov.,
xxii, z:o Uiti.e me PsaimUt presents tne
thought In a negative form: "The foolish
MISS LENA CLARK,
of Scranton, Secretary of the City Union.
shall not stand before thine eyes; thou
natest all the workers or iniquity irs.,
v, .".). So that It was because he was an
acceptable and a holy servant, that Ga
briel was enabled to say of himself: "I
am Gabriel that stand in the presence of
tho Lord" tLuke 1, 19).
FAVOR GIVES ACCESS.
In all of these Instances, you can readily
see that It is the favor which gives access
to and continued audiences in the pres
ence of the King, which Is the underlying
thought of the expression. How clearly,
then, the terra when applied to our rela
tionship to Ood in Christ, brings before
us the thought of entire acceptance, and
now It awuKens desire to know the bless
ing of such a standing before Uod.
Given such a consciousness, can you not
see how It would serve as a foundation for
efficiency In service: tnsplrlng-the faith,
that He who sent us, ever keeping us In
His favor, will supply our recurring needs?
Ah, friends, It is precisely because so
many Christians do not know thnt they
abidingly stand In God's love, and thus
have nut claims which Is theirs, that the
marvellous fullness of that grace has not
ministered to them of Its abundance, and
they have had no power to meet a lost
world's heed. It Is difficult, I know, when
conscious of our defilement and sin, to
say witii all the confidence of faith and
fullness of meaning, "1 stand before the
Lord." These were the words of an arch
angel, It is true. But men can use them
too. Do you doubt It? Look at what th
Gospel of God's grace reveals concerning
our standing before God In Christ: "But
(.tod, who is rich In mercy for His great
love wherewith He loved us even when ws
were dead In sins, hath quickened us to
gether with Christ (by grace ye are saved)
and hath made us sit together In heaven
ly places In Christ Jesus; that in the atjes
to come lie might strew the exceeding
riches of Bis grace in His kindness toward
us In Christ Jesus (Kph., II, 4-7).
What a wonderful thought Is here, my
friends: that the great heart of Uod
throbbed with love for us even while we
were dead In sin. and moved by it He
sent Ills only Son the true "Corn of
Wheat" down Into the soil of our curse,
thnt uniting us with Himself He might
lift us up into Bis life, and Identifying us
with His own person, seat us together
with Himself In the heavenlles. Surely,
His presence there gives to us the true
measure of His acceptance: but If we. too,
are seated there In Him, does It not af
ford us a knowledge of the measure of our
own acceptance ns well? And how this
fits in with the whole range of truth along
this line. For Instance, we are conscious,
and while in this world ever shall be, of
the imperfections and fatilllness of our
fleshly natures and earthly walk. Yet
mark how the Apostle points out to us the
true ground of our confidence when he
writes: "But of Him are ye In Christ
Jesus, who of God -is made unto us wis
dom, righteousness, sanctifies! ion nnd re
demption" (I Cor., i, 39); and thus is
brought before us the blessed fact that In
God's sight "As He is, so are we In this
world."
GOD HAS DELIVERED US.
Oh, beloved, God has "delivered us," ac.
cording to Bis own declaration, "out of the
hand of our -enemies that we might serve
Him without fear. In holiness and right
eousness before Him, all the days of our
life" (Luke, 1, 74, 75). Can you not clearly
see that, while our own righteousness ran
never give us any ground of conlldence
while we serve, yet, remembering that we
have been "made nigh unto Uod by the blood
of Christ" we mny walk before Him and
serve without fear, because wo do It In n
I holiness and righteousness which Is not
j our own but His ?
Hut this is not all: Our standing before
God in Christ gives us title to every posi
tion and real blessings which are intended
to (111 our hearts in peace nnd joy,
strength and love in short, with all the
blessings which we need for our own In
dividual comfort nnd to emtio us or our
I work In the world.
.Note now xnis irtitn is aeveiopeu in tno
New Testament. Paul declares that It
was "The grace of Uod that brought sal.
vatlon." But that very grace which was
manifested even to lost men becomes, as
we receive Christ, the element In which
wo dwell. So the Apostle writes again:
"By whom (i. e. Christ) also we have ac
cess by faith into this grace whernlu ye
stand and rejoice In hope of the glory' of
Uod.
What does he mean? Simply this, that
while walking In this world It is our privi
lege to believe thut our souls have been
introduced by Christ through faith,,- Into
the free, undeserved favor of God. and
that there we live. So that Divine grace
or favor envelopes us ns an atmosphere,
and as the natural air Is one of the medi
ums employed to give vitality and health
to the blood, so in a higher sense, the
grace of God, holding In Itself all that
Is needed to vitalize, strengthen and sus
tain the soul. Is the atmosphere in which
the Christian Is to live, and which he Is
to appropriate as his own God's gracious
provision for his soul.
Thls-Js in harmony with another pass
age: "Hut grow In the grace and knowl
edge of our Lord und Savior Jesus Christ"
f 11 Pet., ill. 18. R. V.). Many Christians
have been led, by the reading of King
James' Version (which misplaces the de
finite article), into a misconception of the
passage. Many understands the passage,
as though it read "Grow In gracious dis
positions and in the knowledge of our
Lord." But, while the apostle would no
doubt, have Christians grow In gracious
dispositions, this does not appear to be
In his primary thought Just here, "What
he desired was thut believers should
grow 'in' the grace and knowledge of our
lord." That Is, he pointed out the two
elements In and by which alone they could
grow, grow In holiness, grow In spiritual
power. Before this. In this game epistle,
the apostle had pointed out our standing
in grace, and the provision which Uod
had then made for our growth.
GOD'S POWER EXERCISED.
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you
through th knowledge (literally, full
knowledge) of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Seeing that His divine power hath grant
(..I unto us all things that pertain unto life
and godliness through the (full) knowl
edge of Him that hath called us unto
glory and virtue, whereby are given unto
ui, exceeding great and precious promises,
that by thsss might be partakers ot Ua
divine nature having escaped the eorrup.
Hon thst Is In the world through lust" ill
Pet.. I, 2-4).
Note, dear friends, the apostle's thought,
God's power, which is exercised In behalf
of His people, because they are In His fa
vor or grace, has "granted unto them all
things that pertain unto life and godli
ness." How this harmonises with Paul's
words: "Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed
us with all spiritual blessings In heaven
ly places in Christ (Kpli. 1, 3).
But havUig provided for us these bless
ings, he deals with us as intelligent beings,
capublu of reflection of perception ami
trust; therefore, the Apostle proceeds to
show that these blessings are to be ob
tained through a knowledge of God as
He reveals Himself In His word and Is in
creasingly appropriated by faith.
But think not that It is a mere cold ap
prehension of facts about Uod, to which
the Apostle refers and which any one may
gain through the medium of the word. It
Is knowledge of God through the word
to be sure, hut It is that heart knowledge
which Is to le obtained by trustingly tak
ing Into our souls that living word, which
as the seed of the kingdom. Is aide in some
mysterious way to make us "partakers
of the divine nature."
While Jesus was yt upon the earth He
said lo some of His professed disciples: "if
ye continue In my word, then are yo my
(ilscipieslndcedandyeshallknow the truth
and the truth shall make you free" 'John,
vlll. 32-33). "Continue In His word." Can
a believer long subject himself to the pre
cious words and promises of the Gospel
of Christ, which so sweetlv reveal Ood
to the soul without feeling their quicken
lug. emancipating power? What are these
sayings of Christ but words which make
known to us ihe "manifold grace of God?"
The very Gospel Itseir Is called "The Uos
pel of the grace of God." etc., hearing and
believing It, we are planted In grace Into
a soil that appropriating its elements day
by day we may grow.
DWELL BY FAITH.
Just here let me Invite your thoughts
to another passage, which forms a part of
the Apostle's prayer for the Ephesian
church. Thus he asks: "That Christ may
dwell In your heart by faith, that ye, be
ing rooted and grounded in love (not be.
loved, rooted anil grounded in their own
love for Christ, though no doubt he would
CHRISTIAN ENliEAVORlORS-2
desiro that they might be rooted In God's
love for them. In Col., II, 6, 7, we are ex
horted "As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him,
rooted and built up in Him." If, then, we
are rooted In Christ, we are rooted In love,
for Ood is In Christ and Uod is love. But
If we are "rooted In love," the rootlets of
our natures In search of food must lay
hold of love and all that love contains.
Therefore we do not wonder at the con.
elusion of the Apostle's prayer) that e
being rooted and grounded In love may
be able to comprehend with all saints
what Is the breadth and length and depth
and height, and to know the love of
Christ that passeth knowledge that ye
might be filled with all the fullness of
God." (Eph. Ill, 17-19.) Mark the latter
portion of this prayer: "That ye might
know the love of Christ." Oh, the pro
found meaning of that word know. Do
you not see that in Its deepest significa
tion it means to be "one with?" The
prayer, therefore, is that we may be so
united with that love as to be filled with
all the fullness of God. Such a knowl
edge as this, Is our privilege and right; Is
open to the grasp and enjoyment of faith,
through the word of God's grace; and
such knowledge strengthens and establish
es the soul of every one who trustingly
claims It. Failure to apprehend it. Is the
prolific source of the unsatisfied and pow
erless lives which we so often see around
us. i uo not deny that Christ does dwell I
in their hearts else they would not be His i
but yet they have not known or realized
that they are "rooted and grounded" In
the illlinlte und unchanging love ot Christ.
and so have felt alone and at the mercy of
every wind of passion, reluctaucy and
doubt which tosses them too and fro.
OCR STANDARD.
Beloved, out on yonder ocean ever and
anon, the passengers on some of the white
winged ships have seen looming up In the
distance a stately mass moving silently
and grandly before them. It was an Ice
berg. On the bosom of the heaving sea
rode tholr own ship; every motion of the
heaving billows, caused It to toss and roll,
and its towering spars to nod and creuk
and complain. Yet while yonder Iceberg
with Its cathedral spires rode on the
bosom of the same restless sea, whose
waves broke In yeustly. foam on its 'cy I
sides, still it moved on calmly, smoothly
and grandly because, down, down through
Emerald depths It sent Its foundations
Into where eternal calm abides, and being
held iu the grasp of that which wus
stable and firm, it silently and unmoved
by the surface ot the restless sea, pursued
Its onward way. Bo we must needs do If
we would be firm in the Lord: knowing
our standing In Him, send the foundations
of our natures down Into the very heart
of His love and find our strength and sup
port in what Is there.
But this brings us to the second part cf
our topio this evening, viz.: "Our Stand
ard." This Is very Intimately connected with
what has gone before. By this phrase. I
mean "That which Is regarded as a tvpe
or model, and hence that which Is of the
highest excellence."
1 hove been speaking this evening of our
standing and completeness In Christ. But
do not think that I would have you for one
moment neglect the outward life. If It
Is true that our "Standing" Is In Christ,
who Is made unto us "wisdom, righteous
ness, sunctlficailon and redemption," II
Is also true that the moment we enter
Christ "Our Standing" becomes "Our
Standard," nnd all the graces and perfec
tions which belong to His humanity, are
set before us as models after the pattern
of which we are to regulate our lives, not
to save our souls, but to serve and glorify
Him.
Surely this was the meaning of the be
loved John when he cried: "He that salth
thnt he abldeth In Htm ought himself also
to walk, even as He walked" (I John, II, 6..
Why? Because in Him all the gracious
furnishings of the Divine Nature which
made His walk what it was, are to be
found by ns that our walk may be like
His.
AS SONS OF GOD.
Thus In our walk as sons of Ood, Christ,
the grent Archetypal Son, becomes our
Standard of righteousness Into the mold
of whoso life we are to pour the was of
our lives, thnt they may correspond with
His. Nothing short of this mav we aim
at, for we an- joined to Him that we may
show forth His glory to the world.
This was His mission on earth with ref
erence to the Father. "To glorify Him,"
that Is, to make God known ns He really
Is. His goodness, love, faithfulness,
power and, above all. His divine Father
hood, nnd when He had done this, He said:
"I have glorified Thee on earth." Fo,
when he said of His disciples, "I am glorl
iled Iu them." He simply meant 'hat in
their lives they made manifest to the
world that which peculiarly distinguished
Him ns Lord. This, then, Is our work, by
our righteous consistent lives, following
in His footsteps, to glorify Him by making
known His power to strike from our na
tures the shackles of sin, and give us en
trance into the liberty of holiness and
love.
But just here we take another step In
advance. As the very embodintent of love
Christ, the soil In which we are planted
that we may grow see how even here He
becomes "Our Standard."
"And walk In love, as Christ also hath
loved us and given Himself for us an of
fering and a sacrifice unto God for a sweet
smelling savor" (Eph., v, 2).
What Is here, but the very manifest and
practical work of giving ourselves in help
fulness und'servlce for the good of others,
and this In more than one way. God was
In Christ giving man a pattern of a Godly
. .- w u.n Hole Ghost
says In the concluding verse of the pre-
... .......... ..,., .v, "Ami De ye
kind one lo another, tender-hearted, for
giving one another, even as God for
Christ's snko hath forgiven you." Butler
In his "Bible work" says concerning this
verse: "There are two very distinctive
words which are rendered by the one Eng
lish word forgiveness. The first means
merely a letting go. nnd exemption from
punishment, a word accurately translat
ed by the word remission. The second sa
nities the very positive and operative mat
ter of suffering In order to gain the heart
of nn adversary; that which not merely
lets go, but prepares men to be let go. Lit
erally this word means to bestow grace.
Thus we mayread: "Deal grace one to
another ,even as God for Christ's sake
hath dealt grace to you. Such, dear En
deavorers, Is to be our attitude toward
those of the household of faith or else
where, who Injure or offend us, or we
sre "in Christ," whose life and love is
to be out "Standard," as well as the power
of our walk.
EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.
Theni too, note how Christ's example
marks the extent to which we should car
ry the sacrifice of love. "He gave Him
self," yes, offered Himself even to death In
love for the world those on His physical
eyes had rested and the untold millions
whom they hud never seen. And, beloved,
t cannot help feeling thut. among other
things, the Apostle desired, when he
prayed that we might "comprehend with
all saints what is the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height, and know the love
of Christ which passeth knowledge," that
we might know and feel that love In the
universality of Its application to a lost
and fallen world, because that Identical
lov would then dwell In us leading us to
follow In His footsteps ' with glad sslf
surrender, giving our time, labor, talents
ana property, yea, laying down our very
lives. If necessary, to reach and lead lost ,
scuis to mm.
oh. fellow Endeaverers, this Is what we
need today to be filled with thst love
which is the fullness of God.
Without It our feet will falter In the
fiaths of righteousness where He ever
eads.
Without It, bitterness and dissensions
will creep Into our societies and mar
the unity of love.
Without It the toll, the self sacrifice,
the gifts which we bring and the work
which we do will be lifeless, meaningless
and vain.
Without It the Hps that should keep
knowledge and the tongue that should
know how to sjieak a word in season to
him that Is weary will lose their power
to vivify and help the souls of men. For
however wise the words that drop from
tho lips, however clear the upprehenslnn
of truth which they evidence, yet without
the quickening power of Christ's love they
shall be us "sounding brass and a tinkling
cymbal."
Your words, my brother, my sister, one
with Christ In the love of the Father and
one with Him in the mission which
brought Him Into the world, are to be s
living seeds, cast abroad Into the soil of
human hearts that men mny be lifted up
Into hale and thriving resurrection. See
to it that they have life In them, teh very
life of love. Then, though thou shall
deem them but halting and Inadequate;
though thou shalt speak them with feeble
stammering tongues, they shnll lay hold,
In God's own time and way, on the dull,
dead soli of human hearts, and deserts
shall blossom and the solitary places be
glad.
OX THE SAME MISSION.
Beloved In the Lord, sent as we are Into
the world, on the same mission which oc.
cupled our Master's life, we need to know
one oneness with and our completeness
in Him. Such knowledge shall hold us
fast to Him as the ground of our con
tldence and as the source of all those In
ward blessings which alone ran speed
our laggard feet along the pathway of
righteousness und love trodden by our
Lord. True, such a knowledge as this
will narrow our lives in the eyes of the
world but not In the eyes of God. Of
purpose, God seeks to have our lives shut
up to Christ. Shut up to Him for life and
Joy, shut up to Him for service. Only
thus can our powers be concentrated upon
the tru purpose of life. Paul felt this
when he cried: "The love nf Christ con-
straineth me." and again, "For me to live
is Christ." He felt that he had been shut
Up oy jurist s reueenung tove into me one
channel of living for Christ In the salva
tion of men, and because of this, his life
became like a mighty torrent flowing he
tween narrow confining banks down from
the eternal hills.
It Is said thnt "At the Bonr.lngton Falls
on the river Clyde, a rock protrudes from
the bed of the stream and divides It into
two falls. These, though pleasant to look
upon, for they hang over the rock like
veils of woven silver, are not powerful
or Impressive. But the waters again flow
in one channel, and a little lower down
there Is the awful chasm of Cora Linn,
along which the torrent rushes with a
shout, and there Is the boiling foam and
the ascending spray. "There, then, Is the
impression and the actuality of power,
and one feels that though there should b
placed across tho tumultuous waters an
obstruction firm and broad as the wall
ot China they would speedily tear It away
and dash on as before with a roar and the
shout of victory."
So, beloved, that Christian who Is divid
ed In his affections and purposes, thst
Christian who Is not shut up to Christ will
huv but little spiritual lov. exnerlence taut
little love and accomplish but little in the
service of the Lord.
But living in Christ, living by Christ and
for Christ, and crying: "This one thing I
do," then, though a thousand difficulties
Interpose, he will sweep on to the consum
mation of his lire's work victoriously, a
workman that nenleth not to bu ashamed.
COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS.
Dr. McCrory remarked that while he
deplored the breaking up for even a
moment the thought and doings of the
consecration it seemed proper that the
Scranton committee of '9ti and the new
state officer should be presented and
known by face, as they were by work,
to the members. It required about fit
teen minutes for this part of the pro
gramme. The committee of '! arranged
Itself inside the chunscl and as each
name was called and the person retired
he or she was given heurty applause.
The last one to be presented wan Chair
man Daniels who briefly thanked the
delegates for their presence and recom
mended to the Easton '97 committee
that they work In as much harmony as
did the ScrnntonluTiH.
Rev. Dr. A. B. Philputt, the new pres
ident; Secretary McDonald, Treasurer
Ruymore, Miss M. Fannie Evans, the
new missionary superintendent; Rev.
Dr. Charles Roads, the stale editor, and
Rev. E. H. Romig, the new Christian
citizenship superintendent, were intro
duced in twos.
Dr. McCrory was at once witty nnd
grave In handing over the gavel of his
office to Dr. Philputt. The latter brief
ly accepted the charge and was re
ceived with a Chntauqua salute. He
said he appreciated the responsibility
of the trust reposed in him and would
be content to serve the Endeavorers as
well as had his illustrious predecessors.
Dr. Philputt then took charge of the
session.
Rev. C. A. Oliver, of Tork, president
over the brief consecration services. At
its beginning he urged his hearers to
strive to bring about a separation of
themselves and all that Is evil In
thought and deed. Cleanness of heart
and absolute surrender to Ood he laid
particular stress upon. Consecration
would not be complete without service;
a Christian's powers belong to Ood and
are set apart for a special servlc?. The
willingness to do anything for Ood Is
one of the deepest requisites of conse
cration. All work should be something.
"Thou wouldest have me do."
SILENT PRAYER.
There was a few moments of silent
prayer, an impressive period, during
which scarcely a sound was heard
throuphout the large gathering.
A brief prayer by Dr. McCrory was a
plea that God would receive the aid of
the members and consecrate them sj
thnt In the end would be received the
blessed reward Into that Inheritance
which 1ms been provided for faithful
subjects.
"I Will Sing a Wor.derous Story" wa-
sung by the congregation while stand
ing. Mr. Wooley was introduced by Dr.
McCrory. He was received with the In
evitable Chautauqua salute nnd pro
ceeded with his address on "Christian
Citizenship." The sub'tane? cf his ad
dress was much the same as that at the
Frothingham nnd Academy and is re
ported In the p'octedings nt tho fcrTer.
Professcr and Mrs. Lowe rantr "Keep
Close to Jesus." The audience sang
"God Be With You "Till We Meet
Again" nnd the session ended with the
spot tolie, benediction by Dr. McCrory.
IN THE FROTHINGHAM THEATER.
The morning session in the Frothing
ham was well attended and much inter
est was manifested in the services. Rev.
J. Lincoln Leitch, of Bethlehem, pre
sided. Rev. D. M. Klnter, of the Chris
tian church on North Main avenue,
this city, conducted a half-hour's song
and devotional service.
William Shaw, of Boston, treasurer
of the United society, was then Intro
duced. Mr. Shaw spoke of the gospel
of a holy discontent. He. exhorted all
to yield themselves in their bodies, liv
ing sacrifices to the Lord. He protest
ed against the easy-going Christian
who Is entirely contented In his own
goodness. Ood requires that you should
do some good unto others also. Phillip
gave up his life to Ood. He was stoned
to death, but the fortitude with which
he bore his persecution and proclaimed
Christ bore good fruit through causing
many conversions to Christianity.
There are so many young people in our
churches who are going down stream
with the current, bet-aunt It is easier
than to take up the oar and pull brave
ly ugnlnst the tide of sin.
IT AWAKENS THEM.
Why is It thut revival meetings are
better attended than the regular church
services? Is It because the revivalist
can speak better than your own minis
ter? Not necessarily. Is It because he
knows more than your own minister?
No, for half the time he does net know
half as much. It Is because haretofor
you have not attended church at all.
and the spirit of Christ was dead In
yon. and now that you hear the word
of Uod. you think It ia the evangelist
who could only convert you. Hear
your own minister constantly and you
will always hava the spirit at Christ
in you.
At the close of Mr. Shaw's address.
Miss Elsie Van DerVoort sang "If I
Were a Voice." An open discussion of
the theme, "How May the Pastor and
His Endeavorers be Host Helpful to
Each Other?" followed. It was con
ducted by Rev. E. S. Bateman, of New
berry, who closed the discussion by an
appeal to Endeavorers to rally around
their pastor In defense of doctrinal
truths and In helping to save souls.
Rev. Dr. Dixon, of the Penn Avenue
Baptist church, of this city, spoke in
the interest of the Toung Women's
Christian association and called atten
tion to the fact that the present time
was the day set apart by that assocla.
tion as a day of prayer for young wo
men. At the clone of his remarks short
prayers were offered by many for the
purpose of the day.
The resolutions reported by the com
mlttee were read by H. J. Raymore. of.
Erie, and adopted. The social, audit
Ing and look-out committees, through
their chairmen, made reports, which
were adopted. These as well as the
resolutions are given elsewhere.
The services closed with the audience
singing "Jesus the Blessed Redeemer."
Alternooa Session.
Rev. Charles Roads presided over the
afternoon meeting; at the Frothingham
which had but a small attendance.
Chorister Watklns led the audience In
singing at the opening of the meeting.
Then Rev. W. O. Watklns, pastor of the
North Main Avenue Baptist church of
this city, offered prayer. The announce
inent that Rev. John Q. Wooley, who
was to be the principal speaker of the
afternoon, was unable to attend, caused
much disappointment, which, however,
was dispelled when the presiding' officer
Introduced Rev. Wilbur P. Crafts, Ph.
V., of Washington, D. C, who supplied
the place made vacant by the absence
of Mr, Wooley.
Dr. Crafts' subject was "Our Coun
try's Needs." He spoke as follows:
The first, highest, need of our country
Is a higher Ideal of government. Th
Bible declares, "The powera that be are
ordained of God." That ought not to
seem a strange doctrine In what the 8u-
REV. JOSEPH. K. DIXON. D. D.,
of Scranton. Pastor or the Penn Avenue
Baptist Church. Who Presided Over
One Session and Was Elected a State
Vice president.
preme court has called "a Christian na
tion." But when I stood with Rev. Dr. W. J.
Robinson In tlm Pennsylvania house of
representatives, in defense of the Sabbath
law, and he. with the solemnity of a bish
op addressing a company of young min
isters, reminding the legislators before
him that they were civil "ministers." "or
dained" of Uod, called to serve Him and
humanity by applying the law of Christ
to civil, affairs. U was manifestly to many
of the politicians, and even to some of the
Christians present, a novel view ot poll,
tics.
When Senator Ingalls, who Is trying t
hope vainly to return to the United
States senate, declared that politics owes
no allegiance to the Decalogue and the
Golden Rule, the people very speedily re.
tired him from politics, to prove that tho
law ot Christ has not been retired.
NOT THERE TO OBJECT.
When the motion was made, the victori
ous motion, for the Sabbath closing of the
World's fair, the very tlrst argument pre
sented for it, the most powerful of the
arguments presented for It in the senate
of the United States, was the reading by
the clerk of the senate of the fourth com
mandment, "Remember the Sabbath day
to keep it holy." The senator who had
said that politics owed no allegiance to
the Decalogue was not there to object.
When we were In that light, I want to
say, looking in the face of these Endeav
orers, that this Christian host of Ohio En
deavorers gave ua one ot the mightiest
shouts In support of those who were fQ
the front fighting the battel for the SmU
bath at the World's fair
"O-hl-o!
We won't go
To the World's fair.
If open on Sunday,
Or liquor sold there."
One of tho most serious perils of ouS
politics is the neglect of civic duties by
even Christian citizens. This, lam sure,
will not be so common In the coming days)
when the fruitage of this cltlsenshlp
movement of the Young People's society
has culminated, nnd when the ballot
the scepter of political power has been
put Into the hands of these Endeavor
voting men and young ladies. For the
Endeavorers will have learned what our
voters in the church failed to learn In the
individualism of their religious life. En
deavorers will have thoroughly learned,
before going to the polls In the twentieth
century, that patriotism and piety blth call
to the polls and primaries, as loudy as
patriotism ever called to war or piety to
prayer. The most radical cure for politi
cal corruption Is the exaltation of the ethi
cal character of political actions. A noble
sentiment came Into my life as a young
man, from Gall Hamilton, who said,
speaking of the saeredness of political
duty, "The eve before election should he
a vigil. The election itself should be a
sacrament." i
SPECIFIC IDEA NECESSARY.
t ua have not only an idea of what
government ought to be, but a very speci
fic Idea of what the Endeavorers' part In
making It what It ought to be should be.
That was a capital sermon preached by a
street preacher In London, who had for
his text, "They that have turned the
world upside down have come hither also."
He said. "Firstly, the world was origin,
ally right side up; secondly, the devil cam
and turned it wrong side up; thirdly, it
must be turned right side up again; and,
fourthly, we are the chaps to do it.'
In the first answer I have made to the
qurstlon, What are our country's needs?
1 have spoken of the ideal government,
which Includes Christian citizenship and
statesmanship, but now 1 turn to our coun.
try's need's from the standpoint of real
Izlng those Ideals. And the second need
of our country Is better citizenship
Christian cltlsenshlp. Uood citizenship
is not enough In these trying times. It
must be Christian citizenship. In Wash,
ington City, as many of you know, a gen
eration or more ago, they started to bullet
a monument to the Father of his Country,
but when thev had built only one-third of
its height they found that they had laid
too weak a foundation, and. that If they
added anv more weight the whole would
sink Into the sand, and so for a generation
the monument remained incomplete. At
last a man arose who was able to take out.
the Inadequate foundation without dis
turbing the monument, and little by little
put a stronger and broader foundation Iu
Its place. Thus they carried the monu
ment up to Its full height and brought
forth the capstone with rejoicing crying,
"Urace, Grace, unto It.
The structure of our political life must
likewise have an adequate foundation. In
these days when great corporations have
bribes to offer, such as the world neves
saw before, both for legislatures and vot
ersIn this day when demagogues art
more skilful than ever before In sophls
tries, we must have, as our foundation
not only an Intelligent citizenship, but
pre-eminently a Christian citizenship
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who recent!
celebrated her eighty-third birthday, OS
whose book it Is suld that it was the first
draft of emairt'lpallon, of whom a Confed
erate brigadier general said gallantly,
"Lee surrendered to -Mrs. Stowe at Appo
mattox" Mm. Harriet Beecher Stowe,
who could not drop a ballot into politick
but who dropped in a book that outwelf Af
the majority: of the ballet ot that dagf