Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-07-05
MIGHTY HOST GATHERS.
international Convention of the EpWOrth
League Opens in Cleveland

BY tonight it is expected that 5000
delegates will be present. Before the
conference is over it is thought that the
number will be doubled. Delegates are
arriving thick and fast. All day to-day
constant stream poured into the city.
At 2 o'clock Music Hall presented a
lively appearance. Last evening the
state Prohibition convention concluded
it's deliberations and the Epworth COM
mittee on decorations lost no time in
taking down the temperance banners
and other decorations peculiar to the
cold-water people, and banners more
appropriate for the Epworth League
was fairly covered with bunting and
graceful banners, bearing words IA
miliar to all delegates, were prominent
bout the stage and along the galleries
At o'clock Wilson M. Day, of thi
city, called the conference to order an,.
in a few words of hearty greeting well
coined the visitors to the city in which
the Epworth League was founded.
Mayor Robert Blee was next intro
duced, and in an appropriate address
extended cordial welcome in behalf of
the city. Gov. William Mckinley was
received with prolonged cheers as he
advanced and in his peculiarly happy
manner welcomed the delegates in be-
half of the state of Ohio. He said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE EP-
WORTH LEAGUE: / am glad and honored to well
come you to the state of Ohio. A visit to a
birth place is always interesting. 1t excites the
tenderest emotions and recalls the sweetest
memories and associations Such visit is sug-
gestiSe of retrospectiOn and introspection, and,
if intervening years have been successful to
congratulation and felicitation.
You could have had no better state in which
to be born than Ohio-no better place in Ohio
than the city of Cleveland. We are proud of the
fact that the EpwOrth League started here, and
rejoice in its marvellous success, and afectionate-
ly welcome the daughter to her home and to
Christian world feels for the great achievements
already recorded, and of the certain promise Of
still greater ones yet to be recorded,
The purpose of your organization is worthy
of the highest commentator. However we
may differ in our religious beliefs, your aims
command the approval of those who respect
good conscience and the value of good char
acter. The league seeks to build up the moral
nature and to promote the intellectual culture
of the youth OF the land and. 1t looks
young people, and neglects neither. 1t is
calculated to secure well rounded manhood
and womanhood 1t provides moral and mental
equipment. 1t engages the mind with useful
and elevating thoughts. 1t unites righteousness
and reason, piety and patriotism, and gives
strength and purity to the church and to the in
situations Of the country. 1t enlists the youth
and Strengthens the. spirit and courage of one
of the greatest religious denomination Of the
world, and turns them into well disciplined
army, to battle for the noblest cause in which
mankind ever engaged-the cause of the Master
and of man. 1t keeps young manhood pure,
and saves it before evil sins have darkened its
life This arouses the nobler instincts of our
nature, and it promotes by its uplifting hand the
best developments and contributes to the highest
destiny of the age. 1t never blasts but bright
ems character. 1t is not only national but an
international agency for good. The whole
world is its field. 1t has ehaced all sectional
+1,S n coll
nations and tongues where a Christian altar is
erected and the songs of John Wesley are sung.
1t has ignored all lines of the Methodist Church
South and the Methodist Church North; and the
young people of the Epworth League of both
sections have Joined in unbrOken union forever.
1t is broad enough to include Methodists under
every name and under every clime and here to-
day YOU have the chosen representatives of all
Methodist denominations-not only from the
United States, but from England from Canada,
Japan, China, India and Italy, and all are well
come to the Buckeye State.
What motto you have adopted 1t is itself
an inSpiratiOn-'LOok up; lift up" 1t encOur-
ages the best aspirations, and is worthy to be
emblazoned on your banners; and If embedded
in your hearts and minds it will lead you to
greater conquestS for church and citizenship
and country.
What glorious sentiment the one you have
subscribed to- the one you have adopted from
the pen of the sweet-spirited and gifted Bishop
Simpson, eve live to make church
power in the land while we live to
love every other church that exalts our
Christi" That broad Christian liberahty lies
at the basis of your league work. Keep
it there. Believing in our own devoted
church and religious organization which lifts
I'D and broadens out Misunderstanding to all
the fullest religious liberty, the fullest freedom
of conscience, giving to all what we tenaclOusly
claim for ourselves-the right to worship God
according to the dictates of their own con-
science.
since your organization in this city on the 18th
of May, 1897 The widest dreamer would not
have prophecied it. You have 11,000 chapters of
the Senior League with membership of 700, 900,
and 1,400 Junior Leagues for the little children
who in their tender years dedicate themselves
to right living and pure life.
Every organization of this kind is mighty
force for good. 1t is an education it is teach
er and school and sanctuary; 1t is preparation
for life's conflicts which await us ALL young or
old. 1t reaches individual life and strengthens
it for good. 1t creates the habit of doing right
and like any other habit, it grows stronger with
years. 1t teaches that right living is the best
living, and that those that live right get the
most out of life. 1t demonstrates that Christian
character lis helpful not hurtful, in every ave-
nue. or emergency Of life.
The demand of the time and the need of the
hour is the young man securely grounded in
ter. It is the highest thing we can have, the
best thing any of us have. The safest com
panion, the strongest friend. 1t lasts longer and
wears better than anything else.
Religion and morality are 10 longer scoffed at
no longer the badge of weaklings ndsenthus1
astsAbut of distinction, enforcing respect, even
religion. They are the most priceless posses
sione which any young man can have IheY
constitute q coin which always passes current
which neither depreciates nor corrodes, which
cannot be discrepited, and which always is IN
demand. The young man who possesses these
qualities does not have to wait long for employ
ment, and when once employed with industry
and ability promotion await is him.
The mighty growth of this league will require
the clearest heads and purest hearts, If it would
meet the expectation it has created in the pub
lie mind and keep the splendid pace it has al
ready set. Keep your motto before you always
"Look up and lift upland you cannot fail to
improve yourselves and bless mankind. "Keep
the heart with al diligence, for out of it are the
issues of life"
give you, ladies and gentlemen, warm greet
ing to the state of your birth, in behalf Of all its
people, what we have is yours while you remain,
and when you go we bid you take with you the
best that we have-our hearts and best wifhes.
Responses were made by Bishop A.
w. Wilson, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South; A, Carmen, general SUI
perintendent of the Methodist Church
of Canada, and Bishop James N. Fitz-
gerald, of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. This closed the after
noon programme. The conference will
reassemble at 7 o'clock. Bishop Fitz-