New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-10
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
OPENING OF THE TENTH INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION IN MINNEAPOLIS.
TWELVE THOUSAND DELEGATES IN ATTENDANCE
ENORMOUS GROWTH OF THE SOCIETY.
WHICH NOW HAS MORE THAN ONE
MILLION NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CLARK's ADDRESS.


MILLION NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CLARKs ADDRESS.
Minneapolis, Mimi, July 0.-Prompty at O'CLOCK
this afternoon in the big Exposition Hall In TINS Guy,
chorus of 1000 voices began the song the chorus Oh
which is Send Showers OF Blessing the song serving
as an Introductory choral invocation for the tenth
animal international convention Of the Young Peoples
Society of Christian Endeavor This convention Is
the largest ever held by the Christian Endeavor Socie
ties and is probably the largest religious convention
ever held the delegates having been coming all the
week Twenty carloads Of New -EDganders reachel
here on DELAYED special trains tonight ana Others
came on the regular night trains. As quickly as they
arrived all were assigned TO quarters in this city and
st. Paul. The convention hall has more than 12,OOO
seats and perfect acoustic properties. The audi
forum Ind been handsomely decorated Over the
stage hung the Christian Endeavor motto: "For
Christ and the World" The delegates came trooplng
I'm by groups and States and whole sections with badges
nuttering and banners flying. Each new arrival was
greeted with applause from those already seated
The formal beginning of the convention came when
President Clark called the body 10 Order and 10000
voices Joined in singing "Al Hail the Power OF
Jesus Nance The Rev. II. W. Gleason, Of Min
neapolis chosen scribe, and the convention was
ready for business. The Rev. Dr. Vassar, OF Kansas
CITY, then opened the convention with prayer. Frank
]. Daniels, chairman OF the Committee OF Niney-one,
welcomed the convention in the name OF his COM
mtce to which is due the credit for the perfection Of
the arrangements. lie compared the Bndeavor move
ment TO tho old crusades, and babe the delegates Wei
10 this building, TO our loved Cities TO our homes
and to our hearts,"
The Rev. DR.. II. II. French, Of the Centenary
Methodist Episcopal Church. Minneapolis, brought a
welcome from the pastors of this city, with church
property aggregating in value nearly S5,0o0,0Oo.
church attendants to the number of $4,000 list Of
ard Of
of Sunday scholars He said Because Chris
tan endeavor stands for all that IS progressive and az
rcssive in Church work, sustain IL pastors.
Besides love because 1t stands for the best fed
Grafton Of Christian effort the world has yet seem"
The Rev. DR.. Robert Christie, Of the House Of Hope
Presbyterian Church, st. Paul, spoke welcome for the
pastors Of this CITY, He said all great enterprises wce
in the hands of the young, and continued "Tle throb
OF new life You communicate is welcomed, not feared
He expressed o welcome " in the name Of the better
day. when the test of loyalty and brotherhood shall
not DO in fealty to a particular ensign, but TO one
bloOdstained banner Of the cross" secretary j. II.
Elliott of the local Young Mems Christian Association,
expressed welcome from Kindred organization.
An eloquent response made to these welcomes
by the Rev. DR.. George II. Wells, of Montreal whose
response ended with strong invitation for the next
convention to meet Montreal This closed the after
noon session.
The evening session was begun by a hafhour
Chorus The Rev. DR.. o. II. Tiffany presided during
the evening and began the formal session by having
the XXIIId Psalm repeated by the 900 persons pres
ent after which the Rev. NJ G. Speare made prayer.
Ancr singing Nearer, My God, TO Thee" the annual
report of General Secretary j. W. Baer, of Boston, was
read Of the facts shown by it were the follow
ing:
One year ago the membership records showed 1913
societies, increase over the previous year OF
3341 societies There are now 1924 societies regu-
larly reported. England has 100 societies, Aus
tralia eichy-two. India thirty, Turkey twelve and
China seven In all Canada there arc 800 societies.
The five leading states New YORK. 2,354 societies;
Pennsylvania, 1868 Ohio, LOCI Illinois, 1913, aud
Massachusetts, 01s The largest percentage Of gain
was in Oklahoma. Among denominations the Presby-
terians have 4O10 Christian EndcavOr societies; Con
grerationalsts, 3545; Baptists, 2,351 McthOdists,
Dogs and Christians (Disciples, sol. As to indl-
vldual members the growth is marvellous At Phla-
delphla, in 1883, 10000 members reported; at
Chicago, in 1885, $4,000; at ST. Louis. last year,
100000; and now the 1874 local societies nave
1,OOo,950 members.
Ira d. Saniey, the famous evangelist singer, sang
Throw out The Life Line The introduction Of
President f. +. Clark whom DR.. Tiffany introduced rs
Father Endeavor' Clark, was the signal for quick
waving of handkerchlefs lie spoke in substance as
follows:
aAs such movement develops, we can see many
tho Divine plan, such the promotion Of outspoken
dlscpcshp the increase of faith in youthful pety the
DEVELOPMENT of wetralned worlnen for the Church,
and the Increased respect paid to covenant
VOWS but above and beyond even these priceless
blessings, l think l may mention two elements
that prominently mark the history of the Christian
Endeavor Society These two features fidelity and
fellowship; fidelity TO the local church TO which each
society and each member of each society bel0ngs-a
fidelity without which true Christian Endeavor So
cley cannot exist; felowsip-a fellowship cemented
by a common name and common vows and common
methods Of service-a fellowship that is exemplifed
by this magnificent assembly,
The speaker contended that these two features are
necessary to each other. Fidelity and fellowship may
win the world for Christ This society, he continued.
had unswervingy from its birth stood for fidelity the
Church of God and to the local church. The further
idea Of fellowship he believed, was founded the
sentence in the Apostles Greed, 81 believe in the
Communion Of Saints"
President Clark deprecated, not denominations but
the spirit that would perpetuae differences and promote
Ifvalries. this name, " Christian EndeavOr,'
common bond of union Is found. lie pleaded for
INSTRUMENTATION and international fellowship of the
societies. because Christ commands 1t and prayed for It,
Mr.. Baer read a number OF kilograms, among them
one from Bishop Vincent, regrettng his inability TO be
present on account of his bronchitis. Mr.. Baer said
Bishop Vincent told him in Chicago yesterday: Had
|
not have starred; but being Methodist, l thought
must try to Gomez This remark was greatly APP
plauded because Of the rival Epworth League work
Of the Methodist Church.
The Rev. 0. H.. Tiffany was announced to take
Bishop VnCent's place on short notice, and spoke
eloquently, though briefly. Christian Unity was
his theme, and he thought this great convention the
realization Of In Christ. All here were loyal
TO Christ as the Head Of the Church. The world
sees not the unity, but only the diff
ferences The days Of the cOntrOvcTsalists past
lie glad 10 live in age when all denominations
could work side by SIDE an age when differences were
ONLY as 10 unessentials. lie glad for the Christian
EndeavOr Societies. which were dynamOs of power
working together against the Evil one ami he corsd red
this union the prophecy I'll the millennium.
Ira d. Sankcy sang "The Ninety and Nine" and the
night session closed After adjournment a number OF
receptions held.
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS WIFES DEATH.
Atlantic Highlands, n. j., July 0.-An inquest was
held to-day the body Of Mrs. Jane Smith, who was
thought to have been choed 10 death by her husband
William f. Smith. The Jury brought In a verdict that