St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-13
AN ARMY OF CHRISTIANS.
FORTY THOUSAND cONcREcATE IN
The FOREST CITY
THE GREATEST GATHERING

Ever Held I'm tho Interest of
Christianity-AT Total Member
ship Throughout the World of
Over Two Miliion-GJv. Nc
kinley Makes the Speech of
Welcome.
Gle vELAND, o., July 12.-Notwith-
standing the uncertain conditions OF
travel incident to the great railroad
strike, 1t is estimated that between
$4,000 and 10000 strangers were tem-
porarily quartcred in this city today.
Every one of this number was anxious
to secure place within the doors Of the
Sangerfest building upon the occasion
of the opening of the greatest gathering
of Christian workers ever held in the
West.
Long before 10 O'Clock every seat and
every available inch of standing room
was occupied. 1t was the greatest dem
onstration ever made by the Christian
EndeavorerS ana was fOrcible evidence
OF the growth, not only Of this organ
iZation, but of the spirit. of practical
Christianity. The large percentage of
young people in the audience was espe-
cially noticeable. the great majority of
the gathering consisting of youths and
maIdens just entering upon the period
of manhood and wOmanh0od. The dec
oratiOnS of the ball were expressive Of
the patriotism as we'll as the faith of the
audience; flags. banners and scriptural
notices being displayed i'll great prOfu-
sion.
A round Of applause greeted the ap
pearance of Rev. Francis E. Clark.
president and founder of the society. A
moment later Gov. William Mckinley
appeared on the platform, but consid-
cradle time elapsed before the deafen
ing plaudHs had subsidized sufficiently
TO enable him to make his voice heard.
In welcoming the vast concourse
to the Buckeye state and to the
Forest City, Gov. Mckinley ex-
pressed his hearty sympathy with ths
purposes aud methods of the society.
Rev. j. Il. Tyler then extended greeting
on behalf of the city pastors, and re-
spouse was made by Rev. E. r. Ollie. ID.
D., Of San Francisco. The first formal
business of the gathering was then
taken up with the reading by General
Secretary John Willis Raer Of his an
nual report showing thatin all there are
1886 companies enrolled in the. United
States. and the total individual member
ship throughout the world is over 2.000,
600. The inaugural session was brought
to close with the annual presentation
of state banners. At 2:30 this afternoon
UNCONVENTIONAL rallies will be held by
twenty-five different church organiZa-
tiOnS, including the African Nj. E.
church, the Methodist Church of Cam
ada, the Canadian Presbyterian church,
and all of the larger denominations.
The great meetings held ut Saenger-
fest hall and in the tent this morning
were duplicated this evening, large
crowds of Cleveland people joining with
the delegates i'll making up the attend
ance. Secretary Baer says that the
opening meetings were larger by one
third than those of the previous con-
yention.
Both of the evening meetings were
opened with praise and prayer SER
vice. Rev. Henry T. McEwen, OF New
York, presided in the tent and Rev.
Charles f. Thwing, president of West
ern Reserve university, in the hall.
At the opening of both meetings, the
trustees made the announcement OF the
meeting places in 1895 and 1896. San
Francisco will get the convention next
| year. and the one two years hence will
| be held in Washington. Baltimore,
| Washington ana Asbury Park were the
| only places which asked for it.
The annual address of President
Francis ID. CLARK was read at both Of
| the evening meetings. he being unable
| to be in attendance, on account OF ILL
] ness.
At the tent meeting. Rev. A. c. Dixon,
of Brooklyn. n. Y, delivered all adj.
dress on Heroes of Faith,' and at
| Saengerfest hail Rev. MaltDie ID. Bah
cock. of Baltimore, gave all address on
"Glorifying God"