CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR, YOUNG

PEOPLE’S SOCIETY OF, an organization of members of the Protestant denominations to promote church activities. It had its origin in the society organized in Portland, Me., in 1881, by the Rev. Francis E. Clark. Since then similar societies have been organized in all parts of the United States and in many foreign countries. The membership in 1922 was estimated at 4,000,000, the local societies numbering about 70,000. The membership is divided into four cla es: Junior, Intermediate, Senior societies, and Alumni Councils. Aside from these there are the ‘Comrades of the Quiet Hour,’ numbering 200,000, who pledge themselves to devote an hour of each day to spiritual contemplation and prayer; the ‘Tenth Legion,’ with a membership of 60,000, who give one-tenth of their personal incomes to church purposes; and the ‘Life Work Recruits,’ numbering 6,000, who give their full time to the promotion of church work. The Christian Endeavor Experts, numbering 32,000, are those who have pa ed examinations and have diplomas showing themselves adepts in all the ‘ works of the organization. The extent to which the order has spread into other countries is indicated by the following figures for 1921; the constitution of the organization has been translated into and printed in 60 foreign languages; there are 1020 local societies in Germany, with 32,000 members; 2,000 societies in India, and 1,200 in China, with a a i ali number in Norway, Swe- » Hinland, Switzerland and other Protestant countries. While entirely inter-denominational, in the United States the majority of the members are Presbyterians, while in Canada and Australia the Methodists constitute the greater number. The national headquarters of the organization are in Boston, the founder, Francis E. Clark, being President. The official organ is The Christian Endeavor World, i ued from the Boston office.