T B S K I K O ’ B B U S I N E S S
M
Jumax% 1941
NOTES on Christian Endeavor By LYMAN A. WENDT*
HUNAN REFUSING TO RETREAT [Continued from Page 5] twos as our custom is, and boldly went out on the streets and to the 'Surrounding villages, and proclaim ed Christ as the Saviour of men. After seven weeks of this kind of effort, after we had visited some nine hundred homes, the Spirit of God began to work. Soon we were able to count twenty persons Who were definitely saved, and a goodly number besides who had enrolled as inquirers.” The diary then continues with a num ber of personal incidents, all fascinat ing from one point of view or another. We select the following: “When we arrived a t the dis trict of White Mountain, we imme diately looked around for available * living quarters. We were able to rent a suitable place from a Mr. Li, who was very glad to gain a few dollars. As the days went by, our landlord watched us carefully, lis tened to our preaching, and finally became convinced that the gospel message had a personal bearing up on his life. He readily accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and be came so earnest that soon a number were influenced to follow him. “One day Mr. Li truly took us all by surprise when he spoke about opening a church in the hall of an old family temple not being used. • "That temple should be turned into a Gospel Hall,’ he said emphatically, “Naturally, opposition soon arose, but Mr. Li was undaunted in his faith an one after another of his relatives objected to his scheme. But prayer prevailed, and the more responsible members of Jthe clan finally gave their consent to the use of the temple for a Gospel Hall, admitting that Honorable Li was a changed man.” Since the diary of Band No. 4 was received last August, a long letter has come with details regarding the dedi cation of the chapel a t White filountain. The hall was crowded to capacity, and a feast was provided to celebrate this very joyous occasion. As a sequel to the story, Evangelist Hu of Band No. 4 has been released from his work in the Band to take over the more permanent position of evangelist a t White Moun tain. Some one recently remarked regard- ■ing the present situation in the world: “Don’t take sides; take responsibility.” I t takes a clear vision to ascertain true responsibility. The need for the reopen ing of the Bible Institute a t Changsha is such a responsibility. Will you not pray with us th a t even in these dark days God will give us light, direct us in responsibility, and guide in the matter of the early reopening of the Hunan Bi ble Institute a t Changsha?
of the young people to take past in discussion. Unconsciously this first Society had begun to practice the thing which has made Chris tian Endeavor profitable and valu able in the program of the church —prayer and self-expression. (The speaker may here digress to show how necessary the expressional agency is for growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. This particular opportunity is given no where else in the church program, for the Sunday-school is for Bible study and the church services are for exhortation, neither of which activities gives the hearers oppor tunity for originality of construc tion and presentation.) H. HOW “CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR" HAS GROWN. 1. 1881. Founded on Atlantic Coast. 1883. A Society organized in Ber keley, Calif. 1885. Incorporated as “United So ciety of Christian Endeavor.” 1887. Began publishing the Chris tian Endeavor World (official peri- ' odical). i- The love of God has hung a veil Around tomorrow, That we may n6t Its beauty see, Nor trouble borrow. But, oh, ’tts sweeter far, to trust His unseen hand, And know that all the path of life His wisdom planned. I know not If tomorrow’s way Be steep, or rough; But when His hand is guiding me, That Is enough. And so, although the veil has hid Tomorrow’s way, I walk with perfect faith and trust Through each today. TOMORROW By Bertha H. Pentney
FEBRUARY S, 1941 CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR’S SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY Christian Endeavor Day R omans 12:1-5 Introduction Viewing a world of turmoil and up heaval, we wonder whether Christian Endeavor may not have come to the kingdom for such a time as this I Through three score years of progress, Christian Endeavor has had failures and disappointments, and even now is not all that might be desired, but It does enjoy the unique position of being the one international and interdenomina tional youth movement, world-wide in its scope and organization. Theoretically, a t least, it emphasizes the solidarity of youth for the Lord Jesus, and solidarity that rises above all creeds, all denominations, all races, all languages, all colors—and unites (Scrip- turally, Rom. 12:4,5; GaL 3:28) all Christian young people, all born-again young people of whatever denomination or youth organization, in Him. The ex tent to which this ideal condition is actually true depends on us, as individ ual members of Christian Endeavor. Probably no Christian organization is so universally known as is Christian Endeavor. Everywhere its name is spo ken, its monogram is seen, and its so cieties function. But very few know a n y t h i n g about Christian Endeavor! Let us acquaint ourselves with the movement of which we are a part! For Those Who Have Topics L HOW “CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR” WAS BORN. 1. In 1881 Rev. Francis E. Clark, a young Congregational minister of Portland, Maine, burdened for his young people, called them together one night for a meeting in his home. The young pastor and his wife spent the evening explaining their idea for the organization of a young people’s society. That night the Christian Endeavor So ciety was bom. 2. On Friday evening, February 4 (two nights later), the new Soci ety met for prayer. A period of time was set aside for each one *Pastor, Calvary Church , *Santa Ana, Calif • ' (Biota, *34).
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