Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-19
AMITY
Annual Convention of the Christian En-.
deavor Union of the District
The First Session This Morning and
the Closing Session Sunday Even
fng-Father Clarke to He Here.

The first session of the second annual con-
vention of the Christian Endeavor Union of
the District of Columbia was opened this
morning at the Mount Vernon NJ E.
Church. corner of 9th and X streets There
was a fai- attendance at this preliminary
session, and, as usual, in all meetings con-
Quoted by this young and active organiza-
ton the proceedings We're marked by a de-
gree of interest that was sufficient to hold
the attention of those present. A cordial
welcome to those in attendance at the con-
vention was manifested by the elaborate
decoration of the church, tine main feature
of which was the draping of the fronts of
the galleries with American flags. Flags
were also suspended in front of the organ
at the rear of the pulpit. and in the center
of these emblems of national authority
shone the golden monogram of the organi-
cation. Across the front of the gallery in
the rear of the church was the inscription
which is now familiar to every Endeavorer
in the District, as well as to their hosts of
friends, viz, Washington, in 1896" AS
every one knows, this means that the great
international convention for that year is to
be held in this city, if the Christian En-
deavo-ers and their extensive constituency
are consulted.
Father Clarke Here.
The convention will be in session this
evening, and tomorrow sessions will be held
in the morning, afternoon and evening. On
Sunday evening at o'clock the closing con-
secration service of the convention will be
held. This service will be conducted by
Rev. F. E. Clarke, who is known as the
father of the Christian Endeavor Organiza-
ton. Rev DIR. Clarke will be present at the
meeting tomorrow evening, and will deliver
an address. The interest in the convention
will be greatly enhanced by the fact that
Father Clarke, as he is affectionately term
ed, will be able to attend several of the ses-
sions.
The session this morning was opened
about half-past 10 with devotional exer-
cisaS, conducted by the president of the
union, Mr.. W. S. Macarthur. The singing
was led by the organ, which was played by
Miss Alice Kimball. A warm and cordial
address of welcome was delivered by Rev.
i. w. Canter, the pastor of the Mount
Vernon Church. who assured the Endeavor-
ers rot only of their welcome on this occa-
sion. but also of the deep interest which he
lad always taken in their work. The pres
idert Of the c. E. Society of the Mount
Vernon Church, Mr.. +. E. Riddleberger, on
behalf of the society, spoke few words of
cordial welcome. The response to these
greetings was delivered by Rev. Chas ID.
Ramsdell, the pastor of the Northern Pres
byterian Church, who in the course of his
remarks spoke of the value of the work
which was being done by this society. He
dtlTlDutcu tne SUCCESS winch tne OrSan1Za-
ton enjoyed to the fact that they were all
united in their love for Christ. He said
that a good deal had been written in re-
gard to church Unity. AS he looked upon it
this was a dr. m. The Roman Church had
desired to attain such unity in point of SER
vice and in other details, but the realiza-
ton of such project. the speaker thought,
was not possible. The Christian Endeavor
Society had brought about the denomina-
tiopal amity, so that the representatives of
the different denominations had worked
together for the common good without ne
glectiEg their church interests.
The address of the morning session was
delivered by Mr.. W. H. II. Smith, one of
the former presidents of the union, whose
theme was how to study the Bible. His
address was practical and suggestive, as is
generally the case when Mr.. Smith under
takes to make public address. At II
O'Clock the convention adjourned.
Afternoon md Evening Sessions.
The afternoon session was begun at
o'clock with a prayer and praise service con-
Quoted by Miss &c. Drane. The program in
cluded addresses by Rev. w. c. Alexander
ID. D., and Rev. G. b. Patch and reports
from presidents of societies.
The program for this evening is as fol-
lows, song service beginning at o'clock:
Song service; anthem, by c. f. Choir; de-
votional exercises. conducted by NJ. NJ
Shand. first vice president District union;
address on junior work. W. s. Ferguson,
superintendent Pennsylvania Junior Union;
singing; address. Ultimate Endeavor. Rev.
Scott r. Hershey: singing: report of COM
mittee on transportation to Cleveland con-
vention, July, 1884, l.. A. Conner. jr., chair
man: Washington. 90" by W. II. H.
Smith, chairman preliminary committee,
'96; praise service. led by Christian En-
1ar NOR ion Iffr