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264 CHINA MISSION YKAR BOOK.The Christian Endeavor Society.The Society of Christian Endeavor originated ina revival which, in the winter of 1880-1881, blessedthe Williston Church of Portland, Maine, U. S. A.On the evening of February 2, 1881, several scores ofyoung converts were gathered together in the pastor sstudy, and the first Young People s Society of ChristianKndeavor was formed, with essentially the present constitution, pledge and methods of work. The practicalresults of this first society went far beyond the expectations of its founder and of its early members. The youngpeople s prayer-meeting, which had been a dead-and-aliveaffair in that church, took on new vigor and continuousenergy. Instead of the two or three elderly youngpeople, who with their pastor had before sustained it,the forty or fifty active members who had signed thepledge took their part, and the activities of the youngpeople, when systematically arranged and definitelyorganized, became ten-fold greater than ever before. Themore they did, the more they found they were able todo. Some of the youngest and most timid members ofthe society soon led the meetings acceptably and helpfully,and the spiritual lives of the young people were deepenedas they formed habits of daily devotional Bible study.In a word, the Society had inaugurated a new eraof spiritual things in that church, and a quiet but realrevival spirit seemed to be perpetual, year in and yearout, among the young people. This experience hasbeen repeated in thousands of churches where C. E.Societies have been organized in all parts of the world.Dr. F. E. Clark, the founder of the Society, hasnamed the following as the four essential principles of7the Christian Endeavor Societ):1. Confession of Christ.2. Service for Christ.3. Loyalty to Christ s Church.4. Fellowship with Christ s People.