Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-20
YOUNG MEMS MEETING.
The State Gathering of Christian
Workers in this City.
An Interesting Assemblage at the
Central Church--Opening Proceed
ings.. Election Of Onicers--.Other
Business.

The sixteenth annual convention OF
the Young Mems Christian Association
of Illinois commenced last evening at z
O'Clock in the Central Presbyterian
church. The meeting was called to
order by the president, j. F. Fisher, OF
Peoria. After prayer, committee, one
from each association represented, was
appointed to nominate the officers for
permanent organization. The meeting
then adjourned and the delegates attend
ed the different church prayer meetings.
The Central Presbyterian church. in
which most of the sessions of the conyen.
ton will be held. has been very taste-
fully decorated. In the front part of the
church back of the platform are three
large banners with the inscriptions;
First State Convention, Blooming
ton. Nov. 1878; associations, 20; mem
bership. 1000"
Sixteenth State Convention. Rock
Island, Sept. 1888; associations, rs; m ems
bership, 1900"
In the center appears the inscription:
Our Field: 100000 Unsaved Young
Men"
On each side are the scripture quota
tiens: "Only be Thou Strong and Very
Courageous" Josh. 4; Run. Speak to
that Young Man." Zach. "a. The entire
church Is very tastefully trimmed with
evergreens. The platform is covered
with plants interspersed with cut flow
ers.
The convention reassembled this morn.
ing at 0 o'clock. The opening prayer
service was led by Mr.. E. R. Drake. OF
Galesburg. The attendance at this first
session was larger than at any similar
session in previous conventions. After
the opening services, the committee on
nominations for permanent offices report
ed as follows:
President-W II Schureman, Normal.
First Vice Presldent-Frank Nader,
Rock Island.
Second Vice President-L A Trow-
bridge, Rockford.
Secretary-E R Bradley, Englewood
First Assistant Secretary-Joe Gamble
kewanee.
Second Assistant Secretary-E B Star,
rett, TOulOn.
The first topic of the morning was a
conversation: Why did Come? What
do l Expect? How shall get It1" led
by Mr.. L. F. Houghton of Peoria, afte
which brief reports were read from tht
different assocations-locsl,r railroad anC
juniors. After prayer the convention ad
journed to 3 p. m.
THE GENERAL SECRETARIES CONFERENCE
The conference of general secretarie
of the Y. NJ. C. A. closed at Moline las
evening, having been In session sine
Tuesday evening. H. P. Zimmerman
preided at the opening session; S. F
Wishard, of Chicago, read the fifteenth
chapter of Exodus, bringing out man
beautiful points contained therein, afte
which came devotional exercises. G. r
Bradley, of Englewood, was chosen sec
rotary, after which the roll was called
each secretary stating the time he ha
been consecrated to the work. Mr.. Cope
land then gave an hours talk on Tao
in influencing Committeeman, whic
proved of great interest to those havin
the forming of committees, and contain
ing many practical hints as to the be:
means of winning the young men owe
The committee question is one of Wit
Importance to all associations; for upo
the committees depends the prosperi'
of the work. Prayer was offered b
State Secretary l. Z. Brown, and the col
ference adjourned.
Yesterday morning the conference WI
opened, A. P. Stockwell, of Galesbur
presiding. Two prayers were Offere
after which hymns were sung. Assistal
State Secretary A NJ. Bruner took
lesson from Joshua, fourth chapte
dwelling upon the favors bestowed upC
the children of Israel by the Lord.
At the afternoon exercises L.
Houghton, of Peoria, presided and tt
devotional exercises were led by Fl.
Zimmerman, of Monmouth. A pap
on THE Importance of Workil
Through Committees" was read by '
W. Smith, of Freeport; the questi
drawer was opened and answers given
|. E. Brown, state secretary. and s.
Wishard. assistant state secretary, read
paper on Spiritual Power. the Need
the General Secretary" The session tn
closed with a conservation service, led
C. C. Carroll, of Elgin. Thirty -eie
secretaries were present and the conf,
ence was pronounced the most SUGGEST
= ever held in this state.
CORNER STONE LAYING.
At O'Clock this afternoon the cor