The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-23
CONVENTION ECHOES.
n SPLENDID GArHERIyG WHICH IL
Il ILEASANr SURPRISE.
Enthusiastic Over Lynchburg Hospitality
Rev. Francis Il. Clarke Accounts for
the socisty's Rapid Growth.

Nearly all of the twenty-five Richmond
and Manchester delegates who left Fri
day to attend the third annual Convcn-
tlon OF the Virginia Christian Endca-
vorers at Lynchburg returned yesterday
morning by the Norfolk and Western
line
They were Hospitality entertained at
the most delightful homes in that city.
and It was with deep regret that they
turned their faces eastward at the close
Of the splendid gathering.
The Convention was the most success
mi Young peoples Christian gathering
over held in Virginia. and the assembly
was pleasant surprise TO even those
best Informed in the advance made by
the Christian Endeavor Society In the
State.
The growth since last year, While very
quiet and almost unsupported, only snow
ed the remarkable increase that Is peins
made all over the country by this move
ment. The first State convention was
held in this city two years ago. Then
there were sixteen visiting delegates Nt
Norfolk a year ago there were forty-hVe,
and last Friday seventy-eight credentials
were handed the secretary making, with
the home delegation. total OF one nun
dred and two in the convention FOR 1874.
Every session of the convention had its
special feature and under the conduct
Of Rev f.. T. Dadmun. who was again
elected chairman Of the State Executive
Committee. the interest and attention
from both delegates and visitors never
Jagged a moment.
Good audiences Of visitors were present
at each service, and on Sunday night at
| the closing conservation meeting the large
| building was filled to its utmost.
Rev. +. l.. Clarke.
The presence Of Rev. Francis =.
| Clarke, who unsuspecting the enormous
| results TO follow. started the movement
I'm his own church thirteen years ago.
! added greatly TO the interest in the con-
| ventiOn.
| His talk on Christian Endeavor around
| the world was a revelation Of the Won
| derful hold this movement has taken ON
all nations. He found it the same in
Great Britain, France, Spain, Turkey,
| Persia India, China. Japan, Australia,
and wherever else ne went in his re-
| cent trip girdling the globe.
He attributes this phenomenal growth
| 10 the pIlHililtH tihbbl4Eu III NAAN N"tif
| tian Endeayor pledge In all his talks. he
emphasized and impressed upon the young
| Endeavorers loyalty 10 their own particu-
| lar church and pastor every society being
| a child of the church in which II is or
| ganized. without any authority over II
whatever. except its pastor. and every
society an independent organization.
A Wonderful Bureau
Among the other speakers was Rev
| Or. J. r. Beckley. Of Philadelphia, one
of the leading Baptsts Of America For
| five years. like many other ministers VINO
do not understand the spirit nor the pur-
pose Of the society. he opposed the move
ment. When thrown in direct. but acct
dental, contact with the society. he be-
| came its ardent supporter. and is now
one of the trustees OF the United Society.
that wonderful bureau Of literature and
information. which asks no money and
Will take none. Yet sends tons upon tons
Of printed matter out without cost 10 the
| receiver.
He is eloquent i'm praise Of the society
| and 80 inspiring were his talks that the
| Richmond delegation persuaded him To
| accompany them to this city, ana ar
ranged for him TO speak It the Young
! Mems Christian Association Han, but on
his arrival here finding a number Of re-
churches he decided it would be wrong
10 detract from them, and the meeting
arranged for him here was postponed UNI
/ til February %. when the local union has
! it's annual mass-meetins, and he VIII then
be present.
Staunton asked for the convention next
year. and the estimate is that three nun
dred delegates will knock for admission
at the door then.
Cosing Scenes.
There were two large mass-meetngs In
Lynchburg Sunday nighttime at Broad
stree. Methodist church and the other in
the First Baptist church. At $ O'Clock all
the delegates combined at the former
church. aud the farewell conservation
meeting. conducted by Mr.. NJ. i. Mef-
snOn, of Chicago. was held.
At 10 o'clock the delegates and many
visitors Joined hands and sung that beau
tiful hymn adopted by the Chris
tan Endeavorers that has now
been set TO music in nearly
every language, God be with you till We
Il Get again. and the convention closed
amid the most impressive silence, When
the benediction was pronounced
The state officers.
Of the State officers seven Of them come
from Richmond and Manchester They
have the control of all affairs pertaining
to the annual convention and the dissent
mating OF Information over the state. The
corps Of officers for the present year are
very much in earnest. and al are cner-
getic Christian Endeavor workers. Jhey
are.
Rev. +. T. Dadmun. West-End Metho-
DIST church. Manchester, president.
Rev. james Y. Fair. j. D., Grace
street Presbyterian church, Richmond
first ico-rresident.
Rev. S RGse Marry, Methodist Pro
te'iaEt church, LynchoUrg, second vice
president
Rev. \. r. Moore, Marsha!l-street
Christian church. Richmond. third vice
| president.
Paul lIatt. Richmond, secretary
George II. Wilson, Richmond, treasurer
Executive Committee: L. Oiendhal
Norfolk; J. B. Gregory. Lynchburg; Mr.
Graves, Petersburg; ID. 5. Bennett, Rich
mond; VIII w. Douglass, Ralston, Va
The vote of the convention was taker
expressing it's preference for the place OF
holding the international convention Tor
1886 in favor Of Baltimore over Washing
ton.
The great convention of July, 1924. vii
meet in Cleveland. and the convention OF
1895 in San Francisco.