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18-635: Harriet E. Clark , the wife of Rev. Clark, originated the idea of the Society of Christian Endeavor. The Christian Endeavor movement began on February 2, 1881. After the Society was described in a magazine article in 1882, the Society grew initially in the United States and then spread throughout the British Empire and beyond. The movement peaked during the last decade of the nineteenth century and then declined as denominational youth societies imitated and adapted

36-758: Is located in Ephrata in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania , USA. The General Secretary (CEO) is Dr. Dave Coryell from the USA. The President is Raffi Masserlian from Lebanon. As of 2022 the society unites 40 independent National Christian Endeavor Unions in 32 countries around the world. According to the WCEU, Christian Endeavor Societies are under development in 20 additional countries. Christian Endeavor meetings are described in both Cloudy Jewel and The Girl from Montana , by Christian author Grace Livingston Hill . In Heaven to Betsy ,

54-488: The cabinet organ . Here, she met another teacher, Dr. Rev. Francis Edward Clark , and in 1876, they married. In the following year, she organized the "Mizpah Circle", the first "Junior Society", though not yet of "Christian Endeavor". The Mizpah Circle was a missionary society. It consisted of a group of girls who studied about and prayed for missionaries. Clark's love of children was especially noticeable in her travels to China, Japan, and India. The stained-glass window in

72-615: The Christian Endeavor idea, and the movement's success was largely due to her. As Dr. Clark made his trips to foreign countries around the world, Mrs. Clark assisted him in furthering the main object of his journeys: Christian Endeavor work. She made frequent addresses, especially before gatherings of pastors' wives and missionaries, to whom she explained the work. She uprooted every year or two that she might accompany Dr. Clark worldwide. A constant sufferer from seasickness, she probably traveled more miles by water than any other woman from

90-580: The U.S., earning the title, "Mother Endeavor Clark". She traveled not only by steamship and railway but also thousands of miles by carriage and bullock cart , on the back of horses, mules, donkeys, camels, and elephants, in sedan chairs , rickshaws , wheelbarrows, and on foot, to keep their Christian Endeavor appointments in the out-of-the-way places of the world. In all these journeyings, she carried her portable typewriter and assisted Dr. Clark in his literary labors, collaborating with him in Our Journey around

108-897: The World , the story of their first trip. Clark was a favorite at missionary gatherings. When at home, she was for many years the superintendent of the Junior society in her home church at Auburndale, Massachusetts , and also conducted the department for Junior superintendents in The Christian Endeavor World . Since 1915, she was a member of the Boston Authors Club. On October 3, 1876, in Andover, she married Dr. Rev. Francis Edward Clark. They went on to have five children. Harriet E. Clark died in Newton, Massachusetts , September 24, 1945, and

126-553: The concept of "youth ministry" by asking young people in his Williston Congregational Church to sign a two-sentence pledge described in his book published in 1882, The Children and the Church, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, as a means of Bringing Them Together. Previously youth had been classified with children and not considered capable of active Christian involvement. The World's Christian Endeavor Union (WCEU) office

144-465: The fifth book of the Betsy-Tacy series for children by Maud Hart Lovelace set in 1910s Minnesota, Betsy's new friend Bonnie is the leader of the local Christian Endeavor society, where several characters attend meetings and parties during the course of the novel. Harriet E. Clark Harriet E. Clark ( née , Abbott ; pen name , Mrs. Francis E. Clark ; December 10, 1850 – September 24, 1945)

162-450: The forms of Christian Endeavor. The Society continues in various locations into the twenty-first century. The first Christian Endeavor Society was formed on February 2, 1881, in Portland, Maine, under the direction of Francis E. Clark. Rev. Clark founded the first national church youth organization, Christian Endeavor, the forerunner of the modern denominational "youth fellowship". The society

180-589: The front of the Williston Church in Portland, Maine is a memorial to the Mizpah Circle. Under Clark's leadership, the Mizpah Circle also raised money for the "Book of Psalms", which was used in the responsive service of the church. These responsive readings were found one Sunday morning in the pews as a symbol of youthful contribution to the worship. Clark, an effective speaker, is credited with having originated

198-498: The house of their minister. Within a year, six societies had formed. After two years, the number of societies had grown to fifty-six. The organization expanded rapidly as it grew from a single church society into a world movement. By the end of the 19th century, Christian Endeavor was in the headlines of many major American newspapers. By 1906, 67,000 youth-led Christian Endeavor societies had been organized worldwide, with over four million members. Christian Endeavor took up many causes and

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216-407: The monthly consecration meeting of the society, I will, if possible, send at least a verse of Scripture to be read in response to my name at the roll call. Christian Endeavor created publications for youth, devised youth programs, and sponsored events. Christian Endeavor was maintained through private donations that often came from youth. Christian Endeavor began as a small group of youth that met at

234-710: The presidency. Christian Endeavor societies met at the state level for local control and met in World Conventions at intervals of three to six years. (World Conventions were held in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1937 and 1951.) The organization's world headquarters moved from Boston, Massachusetts, to Columbus, Ohio, in 1952. Christian Endeavor is still operating throughout the world; their activities are widely reported on international and state Christian Endeavor Websites. Drawing on ideas taken from other pastors, especially Presbyterian Theodore L. Cuyler from Brooklyn, Clark shaped

252-574: The rule of my life to pray and to read the Bible every day, and to support the work and worship of my own church in every way possible; and that just so far as I know how, throughout my whole life, I will endeavor to lead a Christian life. As an active member I promise to be true to all my duties, to be present at and to take some part, aside from singing, in every Christian Endeavor meeting, unless hindered by some reason which I can conscientiously give to my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. If obliged to be absent from

270-399: Was a direct descendent of John Alden and Priscilla Mullens . After Harriet's father died, in 1855, the family removed to Andover, Massachusetts , where she received her education. She went on to become a schoolteacher in Andover, and also taught for a year in the grammar school at Ballardvale, Massachusetts . At Abbott Village Mission School, she taught the primary class and played

288-487: Was an American teacher and author. She was the founder of the "Mizpah Circle", a group of girls who studied about and prayed for missionaries . She also originated the idea of the Society of Christian Endeavor . Harriet Elizabeth Abbott was born December 10, 1850, a native of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire . Her parents were Rev. Sereno T. and Sarah (French) Abbott. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were clergymen also. She

306-520: Was formed in order to "bring youth to accept Christ and work for Him". The youth were shown that the church cared for young people. The Society enabled youth to express themselves while participating in useful tasks. It stressed a devoted, evangelistic spirit that was expressed in the Christian Endeavor pledge: Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I promise Him that I will strive to do whatever He would like to have me do; that I will make it

324-585: Was influential in supporting the temperance movement in the 1920s. Christian Endeavor began extensive publications in 1886. World conventions were held to address major issues. In 1887, Clark was elected president of the United Society, and in 1895 he was chosen as the World President of the Christian Endeavor Union. Clark held this position until his death in 1927. Daniel A. Poling then assumed

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