The History of
The Christian Endeavor Societies
written by Dr. Raymond VanderWyk
The contributions of the Christian Endeavor Societies to the life of our church can never be measured. They provided the blue print for all ages of youth groups to follow. As a world-wide organization, it was brought to us on October 12, 1886 as The Young Peoples Christian Endeavor Society , bringing its motto, "Christ and the Church". It attracted 22 boys and girls of all ages, from Junior High through High School to join. It nurtured them into becoming pillars of the church. It taught leadership training, Christian education, fellowship, and it made, and solidified life long friendships.
The Young Peoples Christian Endeavor Society: By 1900, this group had increased its membership to 75, and had become well established in the life of the church. It was self governed, with officers, an executive Committee and a Social Committee. These committees met to plan activities each month which required a five cent admission fee. Favorite programs were the discussion ancLjalks by Dr. Harlan Page, such as "Good Manners, The Use of Tobacco, Undesirable Friends, Candles Under Bushels, and Does Religion Pay". Valuable experience was gained in publishing a monthly newsletter, known as the "Endeavor Outlook". One of the issues reported that, "ten young ladies of the Society had waited on table at the Church Annual Meeting Supper. By 1909, the Society had increased to 112, and it became time to split up. High School students made up The Christian Endeavor Society, while the seventh through nineth graders formed the Junior Christian Endeavor Society. The members of both groups were sometimes referred to as "Christian Endeavorers,"
The Junior Christian Endeavor Society: newly formed, consisted of 40 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. This arrangement created a rapid turn over of members as graduations to higher age grades took place every year. There were no meetings in 1912 due to a lack of leadership, but it became active again in 1913. It met at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon with 63 members. One of its missionary projects was to fill fruit baskets for distribution to needy families. In 1915 a Go To-Church Band was formed, in which many of the Juniors participated. The idea was to increase church attendance at the morning Sunday Service during a period of 18 Sundays. Two absences were allowed for sickness. Those members who had perfect attendance were awarded silver pins on Children's Sunday in June. In 1917, 65 members participated in the Go to-Church Band.In 1919, the group began a study of the "String of Pearls", which included the Books of the Bible, the 23rd Psalm, the Ten Commandments, and the Beatitudes. In 1920 there were only five active, and 11 preparatory members remaining. However, The Go to-Church Band continued to function, and in 1919, there were 29 winners of which nine were winners in all of the previous six terms since the beginning. They were: Anna Stewart, Doris Mills, Ruth Stearns, Charles Basle, Ben and Burton Worth, Paul Frese, and Raymond and Albert Hoffinan.
The Christian Endeavor Society was composed of High School students In 1910, it met at 6:30 each Sunday evening and held monthly meetings at the City Home on South St. for business and for planning its missionary work. In 1913, membership was falling off, and a novel idea to obtain new members was adopted, called "The Railroad Contest". The Society was divided into two "railroads", whose purpose was to get the most mileage, through such activities, as going to Sunday Service (1 mile), attending a prayer meeting (1 mile), speaking at a meeting (2 miles), bringing a visitor (2 miles), obtaining a new member, (10 miles).The contest lasted 6 weeks. The railroad with the better total mileage was declared the winner, and was feted by the losing railroad. By 1918, the membership had dropped to 16 members. Many of the meetings had to be curtailed due to the influenza pandemic of that year.
However, the Christian Endeavor Society sprang back to functioning in 1923 with 56 members and an election of officers was held: President, Ira Orr, Vice-President, Elton Stearns, Secretary, Marguerite Tuttle, Treasurer, Daniel Rankin, Counsellors, Mr.and Mrs Carleton Owen. In October, plans were made for out door activities, and for providing officers, and teachers for the Sunday School. The officers elected in 1925 were: President, Carleton Owen, President: Ray Hoffinan, Vice-President, Gretchen Havener, Secretary, Charles Smith, Treasurer. The membership was at 44, which presented a Pop Concert, and planned a six week mission study program. In 1926 there was no report. During the following year, there were many hikes under the leadership of Carleton Owen "whose skill in this line of endeavor (it was said) has brought us many enjoyable times".
The officers in 1928 were: Ronald Burkes, President; Marion Slayton, Vice-President; Herbert Rowell and Rose Delorey, Secretary; Richard Pontz, Missionary Committee. The membership held at 40. A food sale was held which raised $25 to be given to the church and in 1929, a play entitled "Chintz Cottage" was presented with the High School Department. There were no Reports in 1930 or 1931.
Trinity Church
(First Congregational Church of Waltham)
730 Main
Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Copyright 2002
