FRANCIS. E. CLARK

(Eighteen years old)

It was

a precursor of the Christian Endeavor movement. a keynote to the mighty symphony of prayer and praise which is arising from two millions and a half young hearts to-day.

"He was a modest, unassuming boy, yet withal very determined and wonderfully persuasive. He possessed a sensitive temperament, with instincts which were almost womanly in their delicacy and refinement, and yet he was every whit a man, strong, courageous, fond of manly sports, full of life and fire. He was all this as a boy of sixteen, and those who know him best to-day will tell you that he is all this and more as a man of forty-four."

Thus writes the Rev. Charles A. Dickinson, D.D., about his classmate and bosom friend, Francis E. Clark.

Francis Edward Symmes-for Dr. Clark's father was Charles Carey Symmes, a native of New England, as was

his wife-though he has many generations of New England blood in his veins, was born under the Union Jack, in Aylmer; Quebec, September 12, 1851. The father died of cholera at Three Rivers, P. Q., in 1854, while absent from Aylmer on a business trip. From Mr. S. J. Jarvis, of Aylmer, I learn the following interesting facts:

"After her husband's death, Mrs. Symmes, who was not a novice at teaching, opened a young ladies' academy at the old homestead, Cherry Cottage.' This institution flourished exceedingly well, and many bright girls were made brighter and happier by their association with Dr. Clark's mother. The past pupils are still to be found, and they will invariably tell you that the happiest days of their lives. were when they were eligible to be called 'cherry-birds.' They will tell of the wonderful way in which dear Mrs. Symmes' used to instruct them in God's own book. They say there was none that could teach its truths as she could, Nor do they forget the curly-headed Frank, who was so smart a boy; and they are greatly pleased that he has been so used by God for furthering the Master's work.".

REV. FRANCIS E. CLARK, D.D. (1872)

WILLISTON CHURCH, PORTLAND, ME.

But

husband's death. Left an orphan so early in life, Dr. Clark tells me that, though he well remembers his mother, the face of his father lingers with him only as a vague memory. God made up to him his great loss by providing for him new parents in the persons of the Rev. E. W. Clark and wife, a devoted uncle and aunt, who took him to Claremont, N. H., and into their home and hearts, adopted him (it being the wish of his mother) as their son, and gave him a liberal education. It was at this time that his name was changed from Symmes to Clark, his adopted father's and his own mother's name. There, in his new home, a country parsonage, under the best of religious training, he became a Christian at an early age, and decided to be a minister of the Gospel. Uncle and Aunt, or rather Father and Mother, Clark are both living to-day. Mr. Clark's voice was heard throughout the vast Mechanics' Building, Boston, in earnest prayer at the opening session of the last International Endeavor Convention. The mother is still an interested and active worker in the cause of missions. From Kimball Union Academy in Meriden he entered Dartmouth College, graduated with an honor in 1873 and with a good record as a scholar, and studied theology three years at Andover. From Andover he went immediately to his first pastorate at the Williston Church, Portland, Me.

The Williston Church was at that time a new "mission," which had been started by a few earnest Christian people in a growing part of the city. The congregation was very small, and the services were held in a building which looked little like at church. Mr. Clark, however, soon became known as a preacher of ability, a zealous worker, and a devoted pastor. Large numbers rallied about him, and it became necessary to erect a church building of considerable proportions. Loved by all, especially by the young, Williston Church soon became famous for its evangelistic spirit and practical Christian work.

"It was in many respects an ideal church, and it had an ideal pastor; and these together furnished the ideal conditions for the Christian Endeavor organization. It came into being naturally, as the blossom comes. It was designed by a devoted pastor to meet the needs of a single church. It had in its conception no mixture of personal ambition, or denominational pride, or ecclesiastical rivalry. The man who conceived it believed in youthful piety and practical Christianity. He was himself an exemplar of these two ideas, and he had been conspicuously successful in realizing them in the church of which he was pastor; the Christian

Endeavor constitution was the material mold in which these ideas found their natural development."

From Williston Church Dr. Clark was called in 1883 to the pastorate of Phillips Church, South Boston, where he ministered for four years. In 1887 the tide of Christian Endeavor had reached a mark that compelled National attention. The movement must have an official representative, and at the National Convention held at Saratoga the Rev. Nehemiah Boynton, D.D., pastor of Union Church, Boston, Mass., presented a resolution which recommended the adoption of the "Golden Rule" as the official organ of the United Society of Christian Endeavor. At this time Dr. Clark was urged to become its editor, a position for which he was especially fitted, having inherited literary ability from his mother (a woman with poeti

cal tastes and temperament), and having

Name.

had experience Object

at Dartmouth as one of the editors of

"The Dartmouth." It was some time before he .was fully persuaded that he ought to give up his pulpit for the editor's chair. At this same convention Dr. Clark elected

was Presi

CONSTITUTION.

Fac-Simile of Original Constitution.

This Society shall be 2
called the Williston Young
Sourely.
Roples
Chirrition Endeavor.

Merebuships.

The mquities of this society e carnist of all young people who sincerely. due to accow flick the multo abon specified. They shall home membres upon bring the clectis by the soculy

by signing then nauts on these

dent of the United Society of Christian Endeavor. Christian Endeavor deals with spiritual matters and methods of service so largely that little is really known about its own machinery; a new generation of Christian Endeavorers has come forward since the United Society was formed; and, naturally, they may not be acquainted with its origin and its object.

J. WILLIS BAER Seeretary Christian Endeavor Society

WILLIAM SHAW Treasurer Christian Endeavor Society

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A

deep" water. firm believer in the deep, powerful, religious life expressed in the Church of Jesus Christ, he is an enthusiastic champion of the young people and their ability to do Christian work, appealing to the heroic and devout in their lives. A man of sincere simplicity and at the same time resolute strength, quiet, unassuming, always persistent, never obstinate, always aggressive, never pugnacious, always courteous, never punctilious, always religious, never sanctimonious, a friend of self-respecting interdenominationalism, an enemy of narrow sectarianism, Francis E. Clark is an ideal Christian Endeavorer.

Editor-in-chief of the "Golden Rule," President of the World's Union of Christian Endeavor, the United Society of Christian Endeavor and of its Board of Trustees, his is a busy life. I presume no other man living to-day has the acquaintance of so many young people throughout the world. He has not only addressed conventions of young people in every State, Territory, and Province in the United States and Canada, but he has made several trips to Great Britain and Continental Europe, and has also made a complete circuit of the globe, meeting with and addressing thousands in all foreign and missionary lands. It is easy to believe that a leader with his opportunities and successes must have great executive ability. He has it, and has it to almost a wonderful degree. Dr. Clark has surrounded himself with associates whom he delights to trust, and, like General Grant, he delegates certain departments of work and lines of policy to his subordinates; while still guiding with a master hand, he expects these associates to direct affairs in their departments, and places much of the burden of responsibility for success or failure upon their shoulders.

Dr. Clark's home is in Auburndale, one of the suburbs of Boston. It is here, free from interruptions and callers, that he does much of his editorial and other literary work. When not called away to meet appointments at conventions and he has many such engagements-he divides his days equally between his study in his home and his office at headquarters, 646 Washington Street, Boston.

Any sketch of Dr. Clark's life would be incomplete without generous mention of his wife and family and his home life. Max Müller has said that "all really great and honest men may be said to live three lives: there is one life which is seen and accepted by the world at large a man's outward life; there is a second life which is seen by a man's

66

intimate friends-his household life; and there is a third life, seen only by the man himself and by Him who searcheth the heart, which may be called the inner or heavenly life." Dr. Clark's public life is fairly well known the world around. It must be so, naturally, and we need no. longer dwell upon it. If you want to see the best side of this man whose name is a household word in many coun-tries, look in with me upon his home life. Step with me to the door of his hospitable home. Even before you receive: a hearty and affectionate greeting from the man, you will have received a generous welcome if you glance up at the main girders of the porch, for here, in a dozen different. languages, the word welcome is beautifully carved. You. will be at once invited into his library, which is also the 'family" room, for this is a typical American home. It is. here more often than upon public functions that you will meet Dr. Clark's "better seven-eighths," and their four children. Mrs. Clark is beloved by a great host of people, for not only did she make deservedly loyal friends in both Dr. Clark's parishes, as she has in their present home, but she has been his traveling companion upon many of his pilgrim-ages in this and other lands. She has much of her husband's executive ability, and is the originator of many methods of Christian Endeavor and other church work. She is especially qualified in every way to be the wife of the leader of two million and a half young people. Let me say of her what the Rev. Charles Perry Mills, of Newbury-port, Mass., the pastor who organized the second Christian Endeavor Society, once said of Dr. Clark: "Some men are gentle without strength, some are strong without gentle-ness; he has both gentleness and strength." All who know Mrs. Clark will say that she has both gentleness and strength. Personal knowledge from several years of inti-macy convinces me that a peep into the home life of the family would give the same uplift that the personality of the two heads of the family has given to thousands outside of the home, whose contact has been only with their out-ward lives.

.

Then, lastly, there is a third life-that seen only by God and the man himself. I cannot trust myself to speak of that. My privileges have been many, in that my associa-tions with Dr. Clark have been intimate and affectionate,. and I think I know something, too, of the deep spiritual. life that is his. There have been experiences that have been confidential, that have given me inlets into his very heart-life, yet, with Müller, let me say, "It is seldom that. we catch a glimpse of those deep springs of human character which cannot come to the surface even in the most confidential intercourse, which in every-day life are hidden from a man's own sight, but which break forth when he is. alone with God in secret prayer-aye, in prayer without words."

DR. CLARK AT HOME

CHAPTER XV.-JOINT POTENTATES

Among all the houses in a Scottish parish the homeliest. and kindliest is the manse, for to its door some time in the year comes every inhabitant, from the laird to the cottar woman. Within the familiar and old-fashioned study, where the minister's chair and writing-table could not be changed without discomposing the parish, and where there are fixed degrees of station, so that the laird has his chair and the servant lass hers, the minister receives and does his best for all the folk committed to his charge. Here he consults with the factor about some improvement in the arrangements of the little commonwealth, he takes counsel with a farmer about his new lease and promises to say a good word to his lordship, he confirms the secret resolution of some modest gifted lad to study for the holy ministry, he hears the shamefaced confession of some lassie whom love has led astray, he gives good advice to a son leaving the Glen for the distant dangerous world, he comforts the mother who has received bad news from abroad. Generations have come in their day to this room, and generations still unborn will come in their joys and sorrows, with their trials and their affairs, while the manse stands and human life runs its old course. And when, as was the case with Dr. Davidson in Drumtochty, the minister is ordained to the parish in his youth, and, instead of hurrying hither and thither, preaching in vacancies, scheming and intriguing, he dwells all his days among his own people, he himself knows three generations, and accumulates a store of practical wisdom for the help of his people. What may be the place of the clergyman in an English parish, and what associations of sympathy and counsel the rectory may have for the English farm-laborer, it is not given to a northern man to know; but it is one good thing at least in our poor land that the manse is another word for guidance and good cheer, so that Jean advises Jock in their poor little perplexity about a new place to "slip doon an' see the Doctor," and Jock, although appearing to refuse, does "gie a cry at the manse," and comes home to the gude wife mightily comforted.

The manse-builders of the ancient days were men of a shrewd eye and much wisdom. If anywhere the traveler in the north country sees a house peeping from among a clump of trees in the lap of a hill where the northeaster cannot come and the sun shines full and warm, then let him be sure that is the manse, with the kirk and God's acre close beside, and that the fertile little fields around are the glebe, which the farmers see are plowed and sown and reaped first in the parish. Drumtochty Manse lay beneath the main road, so that the cold wind blowing from the north went over its chimneys, and on the east it was sheltered by the Tochty woods. Southward it overlooked the fields that sloped toward the river, and westward, through some ancient trees, one study window had a peep of the west, although it was not given to the parish manse to lie of an evening in the glory of the setting sun, as did the Free Kirk. Standing at the gate and looking down beneath the beeches that stood as sentinels on either side

of the little drive, one caught a pleasant glimpse of the manse garden, with its close-cut lawn and flower-beds and old summer-house and air of peace. No one troubled the birds in that place, and they had grown shameless in their familiarity with dignities-a jackdaw having once done his best to steal the Doctor's bandana handkerchief, and the robins settling on his hat. Irreverence has limits, and

in justice to a privileged friend it ought to be explained that the Doctor wore on these occasions an aged wideawake and carried no gold-headed stick. His dog used to follow him step by step as he fed the birds and pottered among the flowers, and then it always ended in the old man I Copyright, 1896, by John Watson.

sitting down on a seat at the foot of the lawn, with Skye at his feet, and looking across the Glen where he had been born and where for nearly half a century he had ministered. Kate caught him once in this attitude, and was so successful in her sketch that some have preferred it to the picture in oils that was presented to the Doctor by the Presbytery of Muirtown, and was painted by an R.A. who spent a fortnight at the manse and departed with some marvelous heads, still to be identified in certain councilors and nobles of the past. Both are hanging in the same house now, far from Drumtochty, and there they call one "Public Capaucity" and the other " Private Capaucity," and you require to have seen both to know our kindly, much-loved Moderate.

As John grew old with his master and mellowed, he would make believe to work close by, so that at times they might drop into talk, recalling names that had died out of the Glen, shrewd sayings that fell from lips now turned to dust, curious customs that had ceased forever, all in great Then there would come a pause, and John would charity. say, Aye, aye," and go away to the bees. Under the influence of such reminiscences John used to become depressed, and gently prepare Rebecca for the changes that were not far off, when Drumtochty would have a new minister and a new beadle.

"The Doctor's failin', Becca, an' it's no tae be expeckit that a'll be lang aifter him; it wudna be fittin', an' a'm no wantin't. Aifter ye've carried the bukes afore ae minister for five and thirty year, ye're no anxious for a change; naebody 'ill ever come doon the kirkyaird like the Doctor, an' a' cudna brak ma step; na, na, there's no mony things a' michtna learn, but a' cudna brak ma step."

Rebecca went on with her dinner in silence; even capable men had weaknesses somewhere, and she was accus

tomed to those moralizings.

"A'm the auldest beadle in the Presbytery o' Muirtown— though a' say it as sudna-an' the higher the place the mair we 'ill hae tae answer for, Becca. Nae man can hold the poseetion a'm in withoot anxieties. Noo there wes the 'Eruption' in '43"-it could not be ignorance which made John cling to this word, and so we supposed that the word was adopted in the spirit of historical irony-" that wes a crisis. Did a' ever tell ye, Rebecca, that there wes juist ae beadle left the next morning tae cairry on the Presbytery of Muirtown?"

"Aye, forty times an' mair," replied that uncompromising woman; "an' it wud set ye better tae be servin' the Doctor's lunch than sit haverin' an' blawin' there.

any human being could dare to address John after this No sane person in Drumtochty would have believed that fashion, and it is still more incredible that the great man should have risen without a word and gone about his duty. Such a surprising and painful incident suggests the question whether a beadle or any other person in high position ought to be married, and so be exposed to inevitable familiarities. Hillocks took this view strongly in the kirkyard at the time of John's marriage-although neither he nor any one knew with how much reason- and he impressed the fathers powerfully.

"Becca cam frae Kilspindie Castle close on thirty year syne, and John's took the bukes aboot the same time; they've agreed no that ill for sic a creetical poseetion a' that time, him oot an' her in, an' atween them the Doctor's no been that ill-servit; they micht hae lat weel alane.

"She's no needin' a man tae keep her," and Hillocks proceeded to review the situation, "for Becca's hed a gude place, an' she disna fling awa' her siller on dress. As for

John, a' canna mak him oot, for he gets his stockin's darned and his white stock dune as weel an' maybe better than if he wes mairried."

The kirkyard could see no solution of the problem, and Hillocks grew pessimistic.