Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-09
SOME REASONS GIVEN
Why This City is the Place for the
Christian Endeavorers to Meet.
ACTIVE WORK OF AN ACTIVE COMMITTEE
Progress Reported at the Monthly
Meeting Of the District Union
G R AT THU STA S NJ

1t won't be the fault of the Christian En-
deavorers of this city if the trustees of the
International Society are not convinced at
their meeting in Cleveland next July that
Washington is the place to hold the great
gathering in 1896. The District Endeavorers
have committee at work arranging the
preliminaries OF the campaign and spread
ing abroad the information that Washing
ton wants the convention to meet here.
Then at the mass meetings attended by
the members of all the societies in the Dis
trict, representing an enrolment of 5000
and a much larger constituency, the great
theme which lies nearest to their hearts is
not forgotten.
This was the case at the monthly mass
meeting last evening at the First Baptist
Church. 10th and o streets. L sually the meet
ings take place on the third Friday of each
month, but as explained by the president
of the Christian Endeavor Union of the
District Mr.. w. S. Macarthur, a date a
week earlier was selected for this meeting.
so that Mr.. John G. Woolley could be pres
ent and make an address. Mr.. Macarthur
made this explanation to account for a va
cant seat here and there in the spacious
auditorium, for. as he said, they had not
failed thus far this season to have crowded
that was assembled and gazed with interest
upon the inscription that was emblazoned
across the front of the choir loft, Wash
ington in 1896" That expressed the senti-
ments of the enthusiastic members of this
vigorous and active organization, and when
the chairman of the preliminary commit
tee, Mr.. w. II. II. Smith was called upon
to tell what had been accomplished thus
far his words were listened to with deep at
tention.
Work of the Committee.
Mr.. Smith said the committee had been
appointed three weeks ago and a few days
thereafter held the first meeting. They had
been at work long enough to find out that
there was a great deal to do. He said that
he had never been associated with a more
able and capable corps of workers, and ex-
cepting himself, he congratulated the union
that they had placed their interests in such
competent hands. The work before them
was not merely one of hurrah. They had to
convince the trustees of the united societies
In substantial practical fashion that
Washington was the best place to locate
the convention of 1896. There were several
things that were necessary to impress upon
the minds of the trustees. First of all, that
there was an enthusiastic desire on the part
of Christian EndeavorerS that the conVen-
ton should be held. When he asked how
many wanted the convention to come here,
there was unanimous show of hands. But
Mr.. Smith said they were to show how
much they desired the convention by put
ting their hands in their pockets when the
time came and contributing literally toward
the expenses. 1T must further be shown,
he said, to the trustees that the entire city
wants the convention, and such an assur-
ance must be taken to Cleveland by the
delegation from this city to the next con-
vention. They must be ready to make all
necessary arrangements and pledges for the
reception and entertainment of the host
that would come here. Some estimated the
attendance at $4,000, others as high as
100000 At any rate 1t would be a great
crowd.
There was no doubt, Mr.. Smith said, of
the ability of this city to take care of all
who came. A hall can be provided that will
seat 1000. a larger hall some thought than
would be needed, but still they could provide
accommodations for that number. 1t would
also be important to show that the expenses
could be assured There was no doubt that
this city had great attractions and advan-
tages and that the coming here of the con-
vention would attract worldwide attention.
He spoke of the Endorsement of the move
ment by the Epworth League of this Dis
trict, and the Baptist convention, and the
cooperation and Endorsement received from
the press of the city.
The First Circular.
He called attention to the first announce
nent made by the preliminary committee
which had been printed as a circular and
copies of which were ready for distribution.
The circular is as follows: Preliminary
committee of 90, fifteenth international
Christian Endeavor convention, Washing
ton, d. G.
Headquarters: 1909 New York avenue, Y
NJ. c. A. building.
A brief statement Of the principal rea-
sons why the international Christian En-
deayor convention should be held in Wash
ington, ID. c., in 1896.
In common with all applicants for this
convention, We possess the following ad-
vantageS:
1. We have the universal desire and en-
thusiasm of all our citizens TO have this
convention. Vide, the interest indicated by
the long articles in all our city papers, put
there without our solicitation; resolutions
indorsing our efforts by other societies, or
ganizations, &c.)
2. Certainty of being able to secure ell
necessary funds for expenses of the conven-
ton, including United Society expense for
speakers, &c.
3. Ability to provide suitable accommoda-
tons for meetings great and small. (Win
provide a hall seating not less than 1900
people.l
4. Ability in "homing" all that may come
eve probably will have far less difficulty in
doing this than any of our competitors, for
We are accustomed to providing for the
crowds which come here to the inaugural
ceremonies every four years, and provided
without difficulty for more than 10000 peo-
pie during G. \. r. week.
). Ability of the railroads in handling the
crowds. zone railroad alone handling over
5000 during q. A. Il. week.
But we possess also the following advan-
tages peculiar to this city alone:
l. A city of wide, abundantly shaded, as
phalt-paved streets, securing utmost clean
illness with minimum discomfort in any
kind of weather
.. Co1tiguity of our hotels and boarding
houses and all the largest meeting places
3. A city and surrounding country full of
things of historical national and interna-
tional interest. CThese will be set forth in a
later circular)
4. Most centrally located between the
north and south, and while especially con-
all points.
). The moral effect for the interests of
Christian Endeavor, not only in America
but especially Throughout the old govern
ments and the peoples of the world of hold
ing in this great nations capital (and We
hope to arrange for, and add in connection
with the nations capitaO, what would here
most surely be the largest gathering of the
hosts of Christian Endeavor which ever has
been or will be held. eve expect and shall
plan for 5000 delegates.) We should also
add that we have heard repeated express
sions of desire from all over the country
that we should have one of these great con-
ventions in Washington, ever since the al
lusions of the possibility of inviting IL here
was made in the St. Louis convention: and
we believe that the tme-as well as the
sentiment and ability for il here-is ripe
for a decision for this city FOR lS6