Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 156, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1914 — International Sunday School Convention Held in Chicago. [ARTICLE]

International Sunday School Convention Held in Chicago.

In Chicago the ’greatest international Sunday school convention ever held in America has Just closed. A goodly number of Jasper county Sunday school workers attended and to all who made the effort was given a great vision of the magniture of this field of church activity. The main sessions of the convention were held in Medina Temple a magnificent 'Masonic structure with a large stage and auditorium. The work of the convention was done largely in KtOll - I ferences each afternoon in the different churches of the city. There were 4,400 delegates and as many more visitors. When the budget was raised and the roll of states and provinces was called every state and province of North America was represented except Mexico. As the various states and provinces were called and their general secretary named tlie amount each would give for international work, I was proud of my native state of Illinois, which headed the list with $3,000 per year for the next four years, until the next international convention meets again, which will be in New York city. When our own general secretary, W. L. Burnie had to respond with only $250 per year I was sorry. Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York were other general contributors. Alaska, Hawaii and central America responded to the call. Many large donations were given by individuals, the largest being that of H. J. Heinz, the Pittsburg millionaire, who gave $3,000 each year for four years. Mr. Hartshorn, of Boston, gave SI,OOO per year. 'More than 400 speakers were on the programs of the various general sessions and conferences, all being leaders in their various lines of work. The subjects discussed made a good sized book. On Friday night occurred the May Festival at the auditorium, the chorus of 1,000 young ladies compeltely filling the state of that vast theatre. This is the largest ladies’ chorus in the world and this year is the 21sit anniversary of its organization. The receipts go to the Cook county Sunday school association and up to this year 40,000 had been thus raised. Each Sunday school in Cook county is allowed two per cent of its enrollment as its representatives in the chorus. The audience filled the entire auditorium. Saturday evenig a pageant rep-

resenting the growth of religious teaching from the time of Abraham Lincoln until the present was given in the temple. , 7 Saturday afternoon a great parade of men, two miles tong, -uwept along state delegates, Sunday school boys, Moody church representatives, the exultant Salvation Army band. A peace army and always singing. The trill of it was enormous. As they disbanded the multitude swept into the side streets, whistling and humming “Onward, Christian Soldier.” Flaring extras greeted the crowds with the line “Johnson and Moran Both Nervous as Bell Rintga" Bht the people did not seen much interested. They were thinking about something else. The heart of the careless city had been touched and that heart was full of awe and gentleness. •

On Sunday at the temple Senator Richmond P. Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac, gave a splendid address on “National Constitutional Prohibition.” Among the things he said, “Knowing as I do ihow utterly unprepared for war our own unfortified country from Alaska to South America, and knowing as I do the horrors of war, I declare to you, I would rather see our beloved country attacked by the united armies of the world than to see intemperate forces of this country left unopposed, for-it means selfdestruction.” Rev. P. E. Baker, national superintendent ‘, of the Anti-Saloon League, also, gave a stirring appeal. These are only a few of the many good things. The Sunday school exhibit, occupying a space 100x200 feet, was well worth seeing, and the display of the world’s Sunday school association, which is to be held in Japan in I§l6, was most interesting. Representatives from the Island Kingdom were present studying the methods employed in conduct!ng a great convention. Japan is preparing to give a welcome adequate to the coming of this greatest Christian convention to the far east. Its greatest leaders are behind the convention plans. “Surely,” as was remarked by one speaker, “the Sunday school is out of its swaddling clothes and has become a mighty force in the world’s progress.”

MRS. J. I. GWIN.