Sun. April 11, 1897 Wea. rain

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Quite a change in the weather this morning. Raining quite hard and regular April weather. Lulu and Johnnie went to church. Florence and I did house work and read “Pizzaro’s, Adventures & Conquests.” It was quite interesting. I stayed home in the evening also. The girls and Johnnie went Y.P.S.C.E. and church and old maid as I am, I hugged the stove and read.
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NOTE
Y.P.S.C.E. = Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour.

From Wikipedia:

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour was a nondenominational evangelical society founded in Portland, Maine, in 1881 by Francis Edward Clark. Its professed object was "to promote an earnest Christian life among its members, to increase their mutual acquaintanceship, and to make them more useful in the service of God."

The First Christian Endeavor Society was formed in 1881 in Portland, Maine, under the direction of Francis E. Clark. The society 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. Christian Endeavor created publications for youth, devised youth programs, and sponsored events. Christian Endeavor was maintained through private donations that often came from youth.

… 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. Christian Endeavor took up many causes without apology; it was influential in supporting the temperance movement in the 1920s, as CE stood for family values. Christian Endeavor began extensive publications in 1886. World conventions were held to address major issues. In 1887, Francis E. Clark was elected president of the United Society, and in 1895 he was chosen as the World President of the Christian Endeavor Union. The admirable Clark held this position until his death in 1927.
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