The morning call., 1891-04-27
RELIGIOUS TRAINING.


Christian Association. The inducement
for an inducement was offered, was the
promise Of Postmaster General Wanna
maker to attend the maSS-meeting arranged
by the association for 3 o'clock at the new
Republican Wigwam and there TO address
the asSemblage. ,
Had the immense building been twice its
size it would hardly have seated those who
clamored for admission. A full hour before
the time set for the beginning of the ser
vices, the term ''mass- meeting" being in
reality a cloak for the Sabbath afternoon
devotlons which are conducted regularly
under the sOciety's auspices, there was not
a vacant seat in the auditorium, AMI those
who came later were obliged TO stand out
the exercises or such portion OF them as
their physical strength allowed.
As the appointed hour drew nigh the
members of the male choir put in an APP
pearance upon the stage and kept the in
terest of the large assembage by the ex-
haustlessneSs of their repertoire OF hymns
and glees, which their hundred Threats
rendered with much sweetness and all the
vim and earDestneSS of religious ardor.
SLIGHT DELAY.
At o'clock that portion of the stage re-
served for distinguished guests was already
filed with the city clergy and men of mark
in mercantile and professional pursuits, all
more or less prominently Identified with the
work OF the Y Oung Mems Christian Associa-
ton. moment passed, and then, despite
the efforts of the choir, signs OF lmpatlence
began to manifest themselves. At this
point Secretary Mccoy stepped TO the ros-
trum and announced that Mr. Wanamaker
was yet attending the services at Calvary
Church, which proved to be longer than eX-
peCted, and, IN consequence, would be lew
minutes late. The announcement was re-
ceiyed i'm good part, and for another htteen
or twenty minutes the choir drew on their
hymnals for inspiration, and again filled the
Wigwam with religious melody.
Meanwhile the usheTs distributed among
the vast gathering the pretty souvenir pro-
grammeS Of the exercises. They repre-
sented, in color, shape and markings, the
leathern pouches of the Railway Mail
Service The front bore Mr.. Wanamak er's
name and rank, with the date OF the gather
ing, and the back the associations mono
gran, while inside was a statement OF facts
concerning the meeting, and the programme
Of exercises. They were neatly gotten up,
and, as intended, were carried away as
mementoes of the occasion at the close of
the services.
\ RoUsING WELCOME
Suddenly a deafening cheer arose in the
assembly, and at the same moment Mr..
Wanamaker was seen hurrying forward,
GREATNESS, to the front Of the stage, ac-
eOmpaned by Colonel CrOcker, DR.. EastOn
and the Y. NJ. c. A. officials. Declining the
chair of honor, which awaited him, the
POstmaster-G General took q more modest
seat, and awaited the pleasure OF the Chair
man, George w. Gibbs.
After several minutes, during which the
enthusiasm of the aSsemblage over the ell
trance of the distinguished gentleman con-
tinued, quiet was restored, and Mr.. Gibbs
directed the order of the deyotions. The
coronation song, An Hail the Power OF
Jesus Name" was rendered by the choir.
Rev. J. @. A. Henry read the psalm, which
was followed by prayer, IN which the Key.
DR.. EastOn invoked blessing on the young
men present, the eminent speaker who was
to follow, and the temporal and spiritual
endeaYors of the association under whose
auspices the meeting was held.
Throw Out the Lifeline being sung by
the choir, the Secretary made several an
uouncemeGts aneut the branch hall for the
accommodation OF the street-car conductors
and gripmen. One gentleman, then on the
platform, he said, had agreed TO donate lot
and put building up for the purpose at tile
corner OF Baker and Fell streets, the aggre-
gate value OF which would be 10000. aud
mother gentleman had donated 5000 for
furnishing, and promised to sustain il dur
ing the first year with further donation Of
s3UOO Work will be commenced on the
building next week, and 1t Is expected to
have il in readiness for throwing open III
four months time.
BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE.
His closing remarks were directed to the
fact that before Mr.. Nanamaker was intro
dueed a collection would be taken up for the
bene6t of the association, for which he
made an amusing apology TO the Postmaster
General by remarking that that gentleman
having been once General Secretary OF tine
Philadelphia Y. NJ. c. A, and therefore
accustomed to taking up similar collections
himself he feared he would be lonesome
unless the ceremony " as gone through with
to-day.
Plates were at once sent around the hall,
in fa,. D,,, Knar returned n hA
rostrum loaded to the brim with small
change.
After another hymn the Chairman arose
to introduce the distinguished speaker,
VINO, he said, had been connected With
Christian association WORK Tor the past Ill
teen years, and had shown his sympathy
for their work to TIE extent of S150,000,
which he had donated toward the erection
of the splendid association building in the
Quaker City. Commenting upon this mu-
nilicent contribution, Mr.. Gibbs stated that
the San Francisco association had
splendid building lot wherein tn erect
hail, but OF the rich men here there were
none to come forward as Mr.. Wanamaker
did and promote the success of the under
taking. The result is, he said. that we have
the lot, and need 100000 TO 60 on and i'm
prove.
With that he turned to the Postmaster
General and introduced him formally to the
audience
MI. W dUhtHbhtTi On COHtuS lUEhdIu, WIS
greeted with VOciferOus cheers and the
waving of hats and handkerchiefs. The
tnmult of applause continued for several
minutes before the speaker mad chance to
get in a word but finally, when lull in the
enthusiasm allowed him to be understood
as believing that there was no doubt about
the Vigor Of the association here, the ap-
plaase, coupled with laughter, broke out
afresh with increased energy.
THAT LITTLE GIFT.
When quiet was at last restored the gifted
gentleman remarked concerning his dOna-
ton to the Philadelphia establishment that
it was not quite what California climate had
made it. He was sorry to say it was only
little over 100000, but if il ever needed the
other $4,000 be would not be backward in
contributing 1t.
- No better investment can be made by
San francisco capitalists to-day" he con-
tinued, 6 than in Christian association. tenn
perance and Suaday-sch00l work. So con-
WINGED am | Of that fact that | am delighted
to be with you to-day, TO stand up and be
counted as on the side of these great move
ments and anything else in addition that
fits man for the highest type of American
citizenship"
Then, in calm. clear accents. free from
orat0Tical flights, but pointed with many
apt ana humorous stories, Mr.. Wanamaker
unfolded the religion of his lie, which con-
sists in helping young men into the paths of
honor and usefulness. If L am wild on
any subjeet," he remarked, ''it is on the by
question, and nothing gives me greater
pleasure than to see sturdy, active, honest
religious boy, ana take him by the hand.
Ny heart goes right out to such as he, es-
pecialy if he is railroader or a postoffice
clerk-one of those poor fellows who have
to read addresses whether they are cor
rectly written or not" [Cheers and laugh
teri
Proceeding he commended the Y. NJ. C.
A. as God-giyen association charged with
the duty TO keep young men straight in the
struggle for the goal Of future happiness,
aud advised all to think twice before saying
mo" in lending support TO such an associ-
alton.
THE DEAR OLD MINISTER.
This brought the speaker to the point sug-
gested by the ChaiIman's introductory re-
marks, and he took advantage of it by urg-
ing all to contribute to the extent OF their
ability to the new building. In this con-
nection he compared boys to trees. and said
they must have the proper surroundings of