Evening star., 1894-02-01
A TEST OF ORATORY
Four Candidates to Contest for the
Supremacy.
FHE EPWCRHH LEAGUE ASSOCIATION
How It Was Formed and What Are
Its Objects.
MOB LIE A BITION

The first annual contest Of the Epworth
League Oratorical Association of the Dis
trict of columbia will be held tomorrow
night in the Metropolitan Methodist Episco-
pal Church, at pm. and a great deal
OF interest is centering in the event Four
of the largest Methodist churches of Wash
ington will be represented by contestants
for honors, and 1t is anticipated that large
numbers of students of law and others
interested in oratory will be present to
witness this final struggle for supremacy.
The Oratorical Association was organized
about the middle of May last. through the
efforts and enthusiasm OF Mr.. George F.
CahiI. chairman of the literary depart
ment of the Foundry Chapter of the Ep-
worth League. He issued a call about that
time for a meeting Of all those interested
in the organization of an association for
the promotion OF the study and practice
of oratory. In response to this call SIX Of
the Methodist chuches of the city sent
delegates to represent them and to take
such steps as might be necessary looking
to the perfection OF such an organization.
A second meeting was subsequently held
for the purpose of receiving reports from
the various chapters. as to their Intention
Of Joining the association, and as to the
form which the organization should take.
All EpWoItn Leagues represented at
the former meeting sent Official notice of
their desire to join and of the enthusiasm
and interest manifested among their men,
work in the league.
An Organization Formed.
An organization was at once formed with
the leagues Of Foundry. Hamline, Metropol-
itan, Waugh, Douglass and McKendree Meth
odist churches charter members, and
the following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President. George F. Cahin
of Foundry; vice president, Seth E. Tracy
Of Foundry; secretary, E. W. Williams of
Hamline, and treasurer, Miss NJ. NJ. Beck
Of Douglass. A constitution was adopted,
which states the object of the association
to be to foster and promote the study and
practice OF oratory, English composition
and literature" To accomplish this il pro-
vides that in each chapter there shall be
local or chapter contest, and that the
winner at this contest shall represent his
church In general or final contest to oc-
cur before the 18th day of February Of each
year. -Four OF the six chapters have held
such local contests. and these four will
be the competitors for the association laur-
els tomorrow night.
-. - Fonndry's Candidate.
The first Of these chapter contests was
held at Foundry. November % last a full
account, with sketches Of the orations, ap-
pearing In The Star Of Thanksgiving day
The church was tastefully decorated and
nothing was wanting that could be de-
sired to give a charm to the occasion and
inspiration to the contestants. The large
auditorium Of the church was we'll filled
by an appreciative audience, composed Of
friends Of oratory and persons interested
in literary exercises of this character The
orations were the original compositions OF
aration and true ability. The Grafton by
MIR. w. H. Kerr on 'Mastery''swas awarded