Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1895 — CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF ENDEAVORERS. Nearly One Hundred Thousand Young People in Attendance—Great Hall and Two Tenta Filled While Thousands Overflow.

Big Meet in Boston.

_ n HE fourteenth anKP.nual convention of the Young People’s On\' Society of Christian Endeavor, held in •/'I Boston,-exceeded in I L size any ..(national A, X convention, either v k political or rel ig - ions, ever witness-

ed in this country. The exact number In attendance cannot be stated, but it is estimated that it was near to 100,000. The young Christians poured into Boston from all directions by train loads of hundreds and thousands. Every State delegation was given a church as headquarters, and the delegates were quartered as far as possible in the immediate neighborhood of the church. Fifty-seven churches were thus appor-

tioned, and at each every comfort was provided for visiting Endeavorers. There were places for them to rest, a room where they might check wraps or small baggage, and where writing paper, ink, tables, stamps and numerous conveniences might be found. Every church was the postoffice for the delegates of the State quartered there, while members of the local societies were at all times at

their respective churches to entertain their guests, give directions how to get to this or that place, or to accompany the

visitors about the city, as they might wish. Each church also had its emergency hospital, so to speak. Arrangements had been made with near-by physicians so they might be called in, and in some cases two or three trained nurses were engaged. The main auditorium was Mechanics’ Hall, with a seating capacity of over 10,000. Here the principal meetings were held. Other meetings were held in two immense tents on

Boston common and in different churches. Three choruses, comprising over 3,000 voices, selected from various singing societies in Boston and vicinity, led the singing. The grandest feature of the week was the mass meeting on Boston common Saturday. This was Good Citizenship day, and at this open air gathering Gov. Greenhalge, Mayor Curtis, and Rev. Donald McLaurin, D. D., of Detroit, were heard in patriotic discourses. Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, author of “America,” prepared an original poem for this occasion, and through the generosity of Miss Helen Gould, of New York, souvenir copies of "America” were given to the delegates. The Endeavorers marched in a body from Mechanics’ Building to this big gathering, and they made a picturesque sight with their banners and flags flying. A feature of the -convention were the “sunrise” prayer meetings each day in several of the churches. The masses

could not hope to go to the Endeavorers’ meetings, so the Endeavorers wept to the masses. In other words, companies of delegates, repres e n t i n g different States, held model prayer meetings in big factories, stores and car stations during the noon hour. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed everywhere. In the market places,

along the wharves, jg lumber and coal yards the young Endeavorers penetrated, and they were welcomed wherever they went. At the hospital# some pathetic scenes occurred, which were in striking contrast with the gayety and good cheer at other places. The street scenes were unique, with marchin# young people singing Sunday school songs, crowds upon the electric cars waving their crimson and white flags and the throngs of sightseers. Three times during the first day Mechanics’ Hall held an audience of 13,000, and a more interested audience, more beautiful decorations and greater unity of thought and purpose were never known on nny public occasion. Long before the exorcises began every foot of room where persons were allowed to stand was occupied. The great chorus sung lustily, the immense audience swelled the song, the noise of the great organ welled out grandly and led the singers and above all could bo heard the silvery? tones <of._ the four cornets played by thefßark. sisters. The Rev. Francis E. Clark presided at the opening session, and devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Smith Ba ker,D. D., of East Boston, and 13,000 joined in reciting the Lord’s prayer, c , ■ ■ , . ,

The Rev. A. S. Plumb, D. D., extended the greeting from the city pastors, ani the welcome of the Boston ’95 committee was by the chairman, the Hon. Samuel B. Capen. The greeting extended to Gov. Greenhalge which followed was inspiring in its enthusiasm. The thousands upon the floor, in the gallery and in the balcony sent forth cheer after cheer, while white handkerchiefs fluttered like a great cloud o's doves. The Governor greeted the Endeavorers as brethren and aisters. Response to the address of welcome was made by the Rev. E. R. Dills. D. D., of San Francisco, in earnest and eloquent words. Dr. Henry O. McCook, of Philadelphia, next made a short but telling address. He said the letters “C. E.” had a new significance for him this morning after what he had heard. He felt now that they stood for not only Christian Endeavor, but also “country evangelized,” “cities emancipated” and “Christ enthroned.” Report of the General Secretary. The great audience listened attentively to the reading of the annual report of the general secretary, J. W. Baer, frequently interrupting with applause. Secretary Baer said the total membership of the Christian Endeavor organization was now 2,473,740. In the United States the Presbyterians still lead, with 5,283 Young People’s societies and 2,269 Junior societies; the Congregationalists have 3.990 Young People’s societies and 1.908 Junior societies; the Disciples of Christ and Christians, 2,687 Young People’s socie-

ties and 862 Junior societies; the Baptists, 2,686 Young People’s societies and 180 Junior societies; Methodist Episcopate, 931 Young People’s societies and 391 Junior societies; Methodist Protestants, 853 Young People’s societies and 247 Junior societies; Lutherans, 798 Young People’s societies and 245 Junior societies; Cumberland Presbyterians, 699 Young People’s societies and 231 Junior societies, and so on through a long list. The Presbyterians held forth in the hall during the afternoon and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. The Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D., of Harrisburg, presided, and the were William M. Benham of Pittsburg, the Rev. James T. Black of Boston, the Rev. Pleasant Hunter of Minneapolis, J. Howard Breed of Philadelphia, Miss Elizabeth M. Wishard, the Rev. Thornton B. Penfield and Robert E. Speer of New York; the Rev. John B. Campbell of Baltimore, the Rev. J. A. Rondthaler of Indianapolis, President Ethelbert D. Warfield of Easton, Pa.; the Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman of Albany and prof. and Mrs. J. J, Lane of Philadelphia. The evening meeting opened with a prayer and praise service conducted by Secretary Baer. The annual address was delivered by President Clark. He was frequently interrupted by the applause, and on concluding the vast audience rose and gave him an ovation long to be remembered, closing with the Chautauqua salute. After singing “Hallelujah,” Evangelist Dwight L. Moody talked to the young people in a fatherly way. So great was the crowd at Mechanics’ Hall that 10,000 were unable to gain admittance and a big open-air meeting was held in Huntington avenue, addressed by President Clark and Mr. Woolley. Thousands at Tent Endeavor. At Tent Endeavor on Boston common the sound of fervent prayer was mingled with the strains of music wafted over from Tent Williston and the hum of the busy city’s trade. Not less than 10.000 persons greeted Lieut. Gov. Wolcott when he rose to welcome the delegates in behalf of the State of Massachusetts. The Rev. W. H. Albright of Boston conducted the devotional services, and after referring to the occasion as a day of pentecost he called for testimony from those present. The Baptists filled the tent during the afternoon. The Rev. H. C. Vedder of Chester. Pa., was the chairman, and the speakers were the Rev. L. A. Crandall of Chicago, the Rev. Clarence A. Barbour of Rochester, the Rev. H. C. Mabie of Boston, the Rev. Henry L. Morehouse of New York and the Rev. Wayland Hoyt of Minneapolis. The speeches savored of patriotism and called forth great applause. The Rev. J. Z. Tyler of

Cleveland presided at the evening praise service, and following an address on “Washington, ’96,” by W. H. iMindTl, the annual address of President Clark was read by Prof. James D. Howe of Lexington, Va., and John G. Woolley of Chicago delivered an interesting temperance address. The great Tent Williston was an in-

spiring sight all day, the canvas sheltering 10,000 people at each of the three meetings. The services were introduced by a season of song by the chorus, in which the congregation joined with splendid effect. The Rev. Wayland Hoyt, D. D., of Minneapolis, presided in the morning, wielding a gavel made from three historic buildings of Boston —the old South Meeting House, the old State House and Faneuil Hall. After the sing-

Ing of the hymn of welcome George W. Coleman of Boston delivered the welcome of the committee of *95. The Rev. A. S. Gumbart made the address of welcome for the city pastors, and Alpheua Banford, chairman of the Board of Aldermen,

in the absence of Mayor Curtis, greeted the Endeavorers. Responses were made by the Rev. W. N. Page, D. D., or Leavenworth, Miss Cora B. Rockford of Biddeford, the Rev. Walter H. Brooks of Washington, the Rev. Gilby C. Kelly of Texas and G. Tower Ferguson of Toronto. W. H. Strong of Detroit presided over the Congregational rally in the afternoon and the most prominent of the speakers were the Rev. D. M. Pratt of Portland, Me.; the Rev. George A. Gates of lowa, Congressman Elijah Morse, the Rev. F. B. Doe of Ashland, Wis.; the Rev. D. M, Fisk of Toledo, Miss T. Sibley of Belfast, Me., and the Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Boynton of Boston. The evening service, as in the other tent, was devoted largely to “Washington, *96,” the Rev. Tennis S. Hamlin being the chief speaker. The closing address was by the Rev. Bussell H. Conwell, D. D., of Philadelphia. The Methodists, to the number of 2,000, rallied at the People's temple and listened to the Rev. Wallace McMullen of Philadelphia, Dr. Janies Boyd Brady, the Rev. John Potts of Toronto and others. The Rev. R. M. Russell, D. D., of Pittsburg, the Rev. W. W. Lawrence of Bellevue, Pa., the Rev. D. C. Stewart of St. Louis, the Rev. H. C. Swearingen of Allegheny City and the Rev. J. T. McCrory, D. D., of Pittsburg addressed the united Presbyterians at the First Church, Cambridge. There was unbounded enthusiasm for the church of one’s birth or adoption at each of the twenty-seven denominational rallies during the d afternoon, but at none was there a betrayal of the least sectarian bitterness. Some of the strongest men in the different denominations spoke their best thoughts, and in several cases significant resolutions were adopted. The trustees’ meeting in the evening was devoted to hearing delegations from

the Pacific slope, and on the first ballot it was voted to hold the convention in 1897 in San Francisco.

THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR CONVENTION IN SESSION.

WELCOMING THE DELEGATES.

OFFICIAL BADGE.

SECRETARY BAER.

MILLSTON CHURCH, PORTLAND, ME. The Church Home of the First Y. P. S. C. E.

FRANCIS E. CLARK, D. D., Founder of the Y. P. S. C. E.

BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.

MECHANIC'S BUILDING, WHERE THE CONVENTION MET.