The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-07-09
A STURDY YOUNG SOCIETY
Rapid Growth of the Baptist Young
Peoples Union in Three Years.
Brief History of the Organization Indian
spOlis Is to Entertain This Week
Thousands Will Be Here.

Indianapolis people and the readers OF
the Journal generally will be interested In
learning something more about the great
convention which the capital city is To en-
terrain this week. This is the third
international convention of the young
people of the Baptist denomina-
ton. which has q membership in the
United States and Canada OF aDout four
million, divided into more than thirty-six
thousand churches. and has something
over twenty-five thousand ministers.
The young people of this denomination
had no eparate organization until three
years ago. when the union was organized
at Chicago. Previous TO the above date
the young people of the Baptist churches of
this country were identified with the
Christian Endeavor movement only. In
the organization of the Baptist Young Poo
pies Union of America it is not the purpose
TO antagonize other denominations So
Cieties OF INSTRUMENTATION societies.
but only TO bring the young people of one
denomination into closer ana more perma-
neDtly organized form IO9 active work
through the present existing societies OF
the Baptist denomination.
There has been quite q little history to
this young society. and the growth has
10oh ~ III tlet A. ~ aAhS
friends of the movement anticipated. AT
the beginning 1t was supposed by many
that the Southern States would not be
identified with the work of this society,
but a number of States have organized.
and others are organizing almost every
week. At tho frat convention, In Chicago.
there was not ~ single Southern State that
had an organization. and at she second
meeting. IN Detroit, in July. 1892. Texas
and Maryland were both present with
quite q liberal representation, showing
that the interest was not only In o part of
the Southern district. bat that 1t extended
from one end of this territory to the other.
Rev. j. B. CranfI, of Waco, Tex, is one or
the vice presidents, and Rev. Thomas
Urquart. of Toronto, Canada. is another and
Mr.. Frank Harvey Field, OF New York,
is the third, which indicates to some ex-
tent the widespread interest taken in this
work.
In the work of preparation for this meet
ing there has not been much noise. but the
executive committee has from the first I'M
dorstood that 10 was 10 small task for the
citizens of Indianapolis to entertain q meet
ing Of 10000 or more persons. The first
work of the committee was TO provide an
expense fund OF about three Thousand dol
lars. This was subscribed by several OF
che leading business houses of Indianapo-
lis. the hotels and about twenty-five prom
inent members Of the Baptist churches of
the city. The work has been thoroughly
organized by the appointments OF q general
or executive COMMITTEES. with subcommit-
tees on reception. entertainment. hall and
decorations. ushers, transportation. print
ing, music. badges and credentials, fnano
special meetings and the press.
IL 10 quite difficult at this date to even
approximate the number that will be In
our city from three TO four days. but at
this time the city of PHILADELPHIA is pro-
posing TO have from 500 to 500 representa-
tives. the State of Michigan about the
same number, Illinois officials think they
will have 500 delegates, and Indiana does
not propose TO have q smaller mum Der than
any other State in the Union. The socie-
ties of our own State have agreed to con-
tribute $500 toward the expense fund.
Tho citizens of Indianapolis will not be
asked to contribute to the expense fund,
and reap the benefit OF the SIS. 600 to $780,
600 that these young workers VIII leave
with the city. but will be welcome to the
advantages of the meetings, of course,
after the delegates and visitors are accom-
modated in TomlInson Hall, where the
meetings are 90 be held. All persons, will
be admitted TO Tomlinson Hall by tickets
but tickets can be had free by calling on
those who have the meeting in charge.
Many delegations from the East and
South have arranged to attend the conven-
tion by stopping in Indianapolis and then
going on TO the worlds, fair. Delegates
from the North and West come by way of
Chicago TO the worlds fair and have q
special rate from Chicago to Indianapolis.
In this way IL Is supposed there will be @
largely increased attendance at the con-
vention. In the reception of this interna-
tional meeting the city has opportunity
again to show what she can do in receiving
and entertaining q great meeting. The
hotel men have been preparing for extern
sive accommodations. and no doubt will do
themselves credit on this occasion.