CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR

See also:

• SOCIETIES, LEARNED

SOCIETIES  , organizations formed for the purpose of promoting spiritual life among young people . They date from 1881, in which year Dr Francis E . Clark (q.v.) formed a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour in his (Congregational) church at Portland, Maine, U.S.A . The idea was taken up elsewhere in America and spread to other countries, till, under the presidency of Dr Clark, a huge number of affiliated societies came into operation throughout the world . They take as their motto " For Christ and the Church," and have done much, especially in the non-episcopal churches, to prepare young men and women for active services in the Church . The organization is international and interdenominational, a World's Christian Endeavour Unionbeing formed in 1895 . The members do not form a separate denomination, but remain attached to their respective churches, being grouped in voluntary district federations .