The “Youth’s Culture League” was organized for the work among youth of the slums; an effort to supplement public school education, making it a stepping-stone to higher culture and better living.

Sports of various kinds of course received attention.  The Temple Guard, the Temple Cyclers, the Baseball League gave opportunity for all to enjoy some form of healthy outdoor sport.  But since the college and its gymnasium have become so prominent, those who now join such organizations usually do it through college instead of church doors.

The following incident from the “Philadelphia Evening Bulletin” is typical of the help these organizations often gave the church in its religious work: 

[Illustration:  The observatory

Built on the Site of the Old Hemlock Tree]

[Illustration:  The present Conwell homestead in Massachusetts]

“Eight and a half years ago the Rev. Russell H. Conwell surprised a great many people by organizing a military company among his little boys.  The old wiseacres shook their heads, and the elders of the old school wondered at this new departure in church work.  Then again he fairly shocked them by making the organization non-sectarian, and securing one of the best tacticians in the city to instruct the boys in military science....  From the first the company has clearly demonstrated that it is the best-drilled military organization in the city, and the number of prizes fairly won demonstrates this.  However, the company does not wish to be understood as being merely in existence for prize honors, although it cannot be overlooked that twenty victories over as many companies afford them the best record in Pennsylvania.

“In 1896, the Samaritan Rescue Mission was established by the Grace Baptist Church, and proving a great financial burden, Dr. Conwell offered to give a lecture on Henry Ward Beecher.  The Guard took the matter up, brought Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher, despite her threescore years and ten, to Philadelphia for the first time in her life, and so great was the desire of the church-loving public of this city to attend that the mission did not perish.”

When the stress of building and paying the church debt was passed, many of these societies went heart and soul into the Christian Endeavor work.  Indeed, for awhile it seemed as if the Christian Endeavor would absorb all the church associations.  There are at present fifteen Christian Endeavor Societies in the church.  In addition to the Christian Endeavor pledge, the following special ways in which they can forward the church work is ever held before each member: 

“For the sake of your character and future success, as well as for the supreme cause, keep your pledge unflinchingly.

“Endeavor persistently, but courteously, to seek after those who ask for our prayers and advice at any meeting.

“Never discontinue your endeavors to get new members for the societies.  Follow it continually in the name of the Lord.