The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-06

Seventh National Convention of the Society
Rapid Growth of the Organization.


terry D Armory was attractive to-day with bright
colors. flowers and bunting. but. more than all
these. with 90 assembly of nearly 1000 people.
From all parts of the United States they came
by hundreds to attend the seventh national con-
vention Of the societies of Christian Endsavor,
which is to continue four days, A large major
ity Of the delegates are ladies-cheery, hand
some and intelligent, all OF them-and the
prominent leaders Of the great society, or Aggre-
CATION Of societies, do hesitate to ascribe to
the sex oil the credit they deserve for their no
bic efforts in building up the
organization and preparing for this
convention Many Of the delegations have
brought with them handsome State banners,
which add to the beauty of the great hall. Very
sensibly. the organization of the convention had
been completely arranged beforehand, and
promptly on the appointed moment the buzzing
asssmblage was called to order by the president,
W. j. VanPatten, Of Burlington. vt The fol-
lowing list Of officers presented: Scribe, Alex
ander Mcconnell, Of Evanston, Ill; assistant
scribe. Ledger Leavist, Of Cedar Rapids, Ia;
time-keeper, A. L. Winship. of Lynn, Mass
On behalf OF Connecticut. W. H. Phinney
presented to Illinois q magnificent floral
standard, which, when its full significance
was understood by the convention, was re-
ceived with the heartest cheers and applause.
The upper portion OF the standard ia q disk OF
white flowers about two feet in diameter. A
wreath of green surrounds the words,
picked out in red, zone cent" Beneath this
representation OF the smallest American coin is
a cross bar inscribed. Connecticut to Illinois"
At the Saratoga convention, o year ago, sub
scriptions were called for to carry on the work
Of tho United societies. Connecticut pie dyed
herself to furnish $500 for the work. Illinois
went her one better" by subscribing $500. Oh.
to tho treasurer. Now Connecticut was not to
be outdore by Illinois, particularly since she
had ''swapped off" her wooden nutmegs for
Christian Endeavor societies, and to-day re-
turned the cent in great style.
The morning exercises were opened by devo-
tional services followed by music and addresses
of welcome by Rev. E. D. Burr, representing
Chicago churches; c. B. Hodridge, representing
the Illinois Union; c. W. French, representing
tho Chicago Union W. L. Messer. representing
the Young Mems Christian Association.
B. f. Jacobs was on the programme to deliver
an address OF welcome on behalf of the Sunday
schools but was not present. President Van
Patten responded on behalf of the convention,
thanking the speakers for their kindly words
and concluding by expressing hope that the
work Of tho societies and of. the CONVENTION
would be abundantly blessed by God, their
chosen leader.
christian Endeavor Throughout America"
was the next theme discussed. reports being
given from all parts Of the United States and
the British provinces. For New England, S.
w. Adriance. of Lowell Mass, reported that
there had been q great growth of societies and
nom berships In the past year Maine has 142
societies; Massachusetts, SIS; New Hampshire
l02; Vermont, ITO; Connecticut. 22O; Rhode
bership of 70. los. The British provinces re-
ported &c societies For the Middle States
Rev. II. b Gross. of Pittsburg, gave report.
Indiana has 80 societies. with $500 members;
Michigan, $50 societies, with 10, 200 members;
Ohio, PAS societies, with 1890 members;
Pennsylvania. 249 societies, with 16 100 mem
bers. New Jersey, 178 societies. with IL, 900
members, and New York 947 societies and 81, 500
members. This makes total for the United
States of l ,s89 societies. with grand army Of
Delaware are added, the total would be swelled
to 125, 900.
For the Northwest, Rev. E. NJ. Noyes, of Du-
luth, Mimi, said he was unable to give full sta
tistics, but at the present time Minnesota has
about 100 societies. Wisconsin, LOO; Iowa, l95;
George B. Graf, OF ST. Louis, was to have re-
ported for the Southwest. but his train had not
arrived. and Mr. Perkins spoke briefly in his
stead, reporting an increasing zeal and warmth
able report came from the Pacific coast. In the
absence of Rev. Q. d. Barrows, d. D., of San
Francisco, ). w. Hedges, of San Diego, spoke
for tho Golden Gate people. He said the real
estate ''boomers" Of southern California had not
interfersd at all with the boom for Christian En-
deavor, and that the good work was progress
ING finely.
j. w. Howell. Of Evanston, ILL.,. spoke briefly
on the subject Of 1.-The State Unions; Their
Duties and Opportunities, after which the presi-
dent read list OF the standing committees, and
the session was concluded with q prayer and
benediction by Rev. N. Boynton. Of Boston,
Mass.
The afternoon session opened with a reading
by Rev. Mr.. Whitewater, of Wisconsin, and
prayer by Rev. DR.. Mills. of Newburyport,
Mass Mr.. Holdredee. of Illinois. was called to
the chair. The fret paper was by Rev. j. l..
Sewall president Of the Vermont State Union,
on ''How the Society Aids the Church in Coun-
try Towns" The paper was full Of timely and
valuable suggestions which are to govern those
who desire to inaugurats societies, and was re-
plete with hints a. TO how these societies can be
maintained in any church town, no matter how
small
The Rev. R. W. Brockaway, of Belleville, N.
j.. one of the board of trustees, read paper on
"The Value of the Central Organization He
explained the working Of the central Office, an
swsrne criticisms that have been made. and
showed why the central organization was Z sces
say in order to concentrate and direct the forces
of the united societies The same subject was
discussed by w. H. Pennell. Of Portland, Me.
A letter from the secretary of the Young Peo
pies Union. an organization similar to rhe
Christian Endeavor Society. which exists in
Missouri and parts of Illinois, in which it was
stated that the society had dissolved, and would
join the Society of Christian Endsavor, was read
by President Clark, and received with loud ap
plause.
paper which discussed the society train
ing school for the church was read by Rev. j. l.
Hill, of Medford, Mass. This was followed by
some comments by Mr.. Winship. of Boston.
Rev. G. +. Dickinson, pastor OF Berkey Temple
Boston, then spoke on the text I'm opening
fresh fields to your Christian workers"
The evening session was attended by 6, 00l
people, and throughout the meeting the mos
active enthusiasm prevailed. After the pre-
lminaries General Secretary George nj. Ward
of Boston. made a twenty minute address on thu
general condition of the society. The blind
musician. w. G. Heinrich, of Boston. then sant
with splendid effect the hymn, "Callest Tho,
Us, Oh Lord"
The Rev F. E. Clark, the founder Of the So
ciety of Christian Endeavor, was then introoucet
and presented with q beautiful floral wreath BY
the New York delegation. He began an ab
address by stating that he believed in the eff
cacy of printers ink. He trusted the societ,
will steer clear of all hobbies and be broad ant
large as to principle. Concluding. be said th
society's motto had been For Christ and tn
Church," now he would suggest an individual
motto, mot To Be Administered Unto. but Il
Minister" He took his seat amid great ap
plause.
After song DR.. James W. Brooks. Of ST
Louis. began the convention sermon. He wa
received with q waving Of handkerchisfs and
clappine of hands. He took his text from on