Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1895 — CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF ENDEAVORERS. Jgcarljr One Hundred Thousand Young People In Attendance—Great Hall and Two Tents Filled While Thousands Overflow. Big Meet in Boston.

M II HE fourteenth anpt nual convention of L the Young People’s \ Society of Christian Endeavor, held in Boston, exceeded in M C size any national 'A x convention, either y a political or rel ig - ious, ever witness>.ed in this country.

The exact number in attendance cannot he stated, but it is estimated that it was Bear to 100,000. The young Christians toured into Boston from all directions j 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 proyided 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 speakr.—Arrangement* had been made with near-by physicians so they might be called in, and in some cases two or three trained nurses were cnguped. 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 uir 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' P-uilding to this big gathering, and they made a picturesque sight with their banners and flags flying. A feature of the convention wore the “sunrise” prayer meetings each day in •event! of the churches. The masses

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

ajpug the wharves, in lumber and coal yards the young Eudcavorers peuetrnted, and they were welcomed wherever they went. At the hospitals some pathetic scenes occurred, -which were in striking contrast with the gaiety 1 and good cheer at other places. The street scenes were unique, with marching young people singing Sunday school songs, crowds upon the electric cars waring their crimson and white fags and the throngs of sightseers. Throe times during the first day Me-

chanics’ ITall 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 any public occasion. Long before the exercises 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 ail could be heard the silvery tones of the four cornets played by the Park sisters. The Rev. Francis E. Clark presided at the opening session, and devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev. Smith Baker, D. D., of East Boston, and 13,000 joined in reciting the Lord’s prayer. The Rev. A. S. Plumb, D. D., extended the greeting from the city pastors, and 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 of doves. The Governor greeted the Endeavorers as brethren and sisterß. 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. lie 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 5,253 Young People’s societies and 2,209 Junior societies; the Congregationalists have 3,990 Young People’s societies and 1,908 junior societies; the Disciples of Christ and Christians, 2,087 Young People’s societies and 802 Junior societies; the Baptists, 2,080 Young People’s societies and 180 Junior societies; Methodist Episcopais, 93l 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, 099 Young People's societies and 231 Junior societies, and so on through a long list. Tho 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 speakers were William M. Benliam 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 ltev. 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 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 tho delegates in behalf of the State of Massachusetts. The Rev. W- H- Albright of Boston conducted the devotional services, rind after referring to tho occasion as a day of penteeost he called for testimony from those present. The Baptists filled the tent during the afternoon. The Rev. 11. C. Yedder of Chester. Pa., was the chairman, and tho

speakers were the Itev. L. A. Crandall of Chicago, the Itev. Clarence A. Barbour of Rochester, the Re if. 11. C. Mubie of Boston, the Rev. Henry L. Morehouse of New York and the Rev. Wayland Iloyt 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, ’90,” by W. 11. Pennell, the annual address of President Clark was read by Prof, James D. Hows of Lexington, Va., and John G. Woolley of

Chicago delivered an interesting temperance address. The great Tent Williston was an Inspiring 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. Way land 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 singing of the hymn of welcome George W. Coleman of Boston delivered the welcome pf the committee of, *l)s. The Rev. A. S. Gninbart made the address of welcome for the city pastors, and Alpheus Sanford, chairman of the Board of Aldermen, in the absence of Mayor Curtis, greeted the Endeavorers. Responses were made by the Ilev. W. R. Pago, I). 1).. or Leavenworth, Miss Cora B. Rockford of Biddeford, the Rev. Walter If. Brooks of Washington, the Rev. Gilhy C. Kelly of Texas and G. Tower Ferguson of Toronto. W. 11. Strong of Detroit presided over the Congregational rally in the afternoon and the most prominent of the speakers we.ee the Rev. D. M. Pratt of Portland, Me.; the Rev. George A. Gates of lowa, Congressman- Elijah Morse, the Ilev. F. B. Doe of Ashland, r is.; the Ilev. D. M. Fisk of Toledo, Miss T. Sibley of Belfast, Me., and the Ilev. Dr. Nehemiah Boynton of Boston. The evening service,, as in the other tent, was devoted largely to “Washington. ’9l>,” the Rev. Tennis S. Hamlin being the chief ' speaker. The

closing address was by the Rev. Russell H. Conwell, D. D., of Philadelphia. The Methodists, to the number of 2,000, rallied at the PeopleSs temple and listened to the Rev. Wallace McMullen of Philadelphia, Dr. James 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 tfJeilevue, Pa., the Rev. D. C. Stewart of St. Louis, the Rev. H. C. Swearingen of Allegheny City and the Rev. J. T. MeCrory, D. D.. of Pittsburg addressed the .united Presbyterians at the First Church, Cambridge. There was unbounded enthusiasm foj\ the church of one’s birth or adoption ar each of the twenty-seven denon/iatiott-

al rallies during the 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. Tho 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. q William Best, the most notorious resident of the Paint Lick of Kentucky, was shot and instantly killed in a quarrel by

Speed Nunn. The killing of Best wipes out the last of a family of outlaws who have been the terrors of the section for many years. Richard Allen was struck on the head by a heavy auger while cleaning out a well at Portland, Ind., and his skull fractured. ,

THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR CONVENTION IN SESSION.

WELCOMING THE DELEGATES.

OFFICIAL BADGE.

SECRETARY BAER.

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

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

BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.

MECHANICS’ BUILDING, WHERE THE CONVENTION MET.