Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-10
PROTECTED BY THE MILITARY.
Adjournment of the Christian Endeav0I
Convention at Montreal.

Adjournment of the Christian Endeavor
Convention at Montreal.
The twelfth annual convention of the United
Societies Of Christian Endeavor closed a. Mon
treai last night with grand meeting in the
great drill hall. which was attended by
fully 10000 persons. The convention Just
closed ranked next in size to the great New
York convention, there being 10000 delegates
officially accredited as present in Montreal.
The assertion made by the Rev. s. v. Kar-
marthe of Bombay, East India, one Of tine speak
ers at the Christian Endeavor convention Fri
day afternoon. that the Roman Catholic worship
was a new form of old Hindoo worship brought
out reply from La Presse. a French newspa-
per. declaring the speech a deliberate insult to
the French people. On Friday night some Of
borhood Of the convention hall, one of their
number having stated in loud voice that the
mother Of Christ was an abandoned woman. A
member Of the delegation who heard the re-
mark made strong speech in disavowal.
At the meeting of the convention Saturday
President Clark announced that the convention
was not responsible for the utterance on the
outside and that there was no intention or de-
sire on the part Of this convention to insult any
one, to hurt any Of their religious feelings or to
decry their creed.
The president called for those whose senti-
~NfASSoSN
the whole convention arose. The effect Of Dr.
Clarks speech was good. All the French papers
declared his statement perfectly satisfactory,
but the riotous elements Of the population con-
tinued to harass the delegates.
crowd OF fully a thousand persons sur
rounded the hall when the meeting adjourned
at 10 o'clock Saturday night, but no collision
took place.
Last night mob of 1900 French Canadians
burned to resent what they considered an in
suit to their religion. The militia assured the
delegates protection. The mob consisted of
pally quarrymen from Cote st. Luc and others
of like stamp.
The delegates emerged from the hall and
turned to the west end. Instantly the volun-
teers formed a Gordon at the edge Of the side
walk aud white handkerchief were produced,
and these they held around their necks.
This was the distinguishing badge. No one
without 1t could approach the Endeayorers
from the opposite side Of the street. and
slowly and without any manifestation OF
alarm the delegates made their way along.
Then came a burst Of song. "At the cross,
at the Cross" foated upon the air and the re-
suit was something wonderful. Almost per-
feet silence fell upon the crowd
The Frenchmen on the Champ de Mars
stood silently gazing at the procession Of En-
deavorers. which marched to the time Of the
piece of music they were singing.
All emerged and passed out of the dangerous
locality in safety; then the niilitiamen, who had
slowly moved west with the crowd, turned
right about face and marched down east to a
short distance below the Drill Hall, singing
Onward, Christian Soldiers. Marching as to
War" They were greeted with some jeers and
taunts from the crowd that angrily watched
| them but no blows were exchanged. As they
again turned and marched west the multitude
melted away, the blockade of caDs and street
cars passed on, and the closing scene of the
Christian Endeavor convention was at peace
able end.
Itwas at one time intended to dismiss the
drill hall meeting by the door, but Presi-
dent Clark, on assurances from the militia that
they would amply protect all the delegates,
caused the front doors to be used.
Before pronouncing the benediction he told
the assembled people that the soldiers would
protect them. and that no violence need be
feared at the hands Of the mob.