Middletown transcript., 1895-07-20
THE GREAT CONVENTION.
What a Delaware Endeavorer Saw and
Felt ut the Boston Gathering.

, 1
The train containing Delaware delegate
and their friends left Wilmington station
at IL As A. M. Tuesday, July 9th, reaching
Jersey City about $50 p NJ, where afte
! an hours wait We boarded the City O
Boston, New Jersey delegates being al
ready on board, making in all between
seven and eight hundred from both states
The ride down the river and bay bid fai
to be delightful, but sudden shower cam
up, which dampened our ardor some little
it soon passed over, altho' thesurrounding
were somewhat misty. we enjoyed the rid,
on the sound very much. Boat anchord a
New London about 2.30 A. M, where W,
stopped until o'clock A. NJ, when W,
steamed up the Thames river, after mos
charming ride, the view on both sides beins
exceptionally picturesque and romantic
especially to those who are accustomed te
the flat and level surface of our own pen.
insula, we reached Norwich; after an houl
and halfs wait we again boarded special
train and proceeded on our journey re.
joicing that we had left the steamer "City
of Boston" behind and were on our way to
Hub of the universe, which place we
reached about 1.30 P M Wednesday noon.
The reception committee had arranged
everything SO very Systematically, there
was no confusion whatever.
Delaware delegates were conveyed to
their headquarters, Walnut Avenue Con-
gressional Church in stages, where their
homes were assigned; some of us were
fortunate enough not to be compelled to 60
thro' that ordeal.
Convention opened formally Wednesday
evening Thursday morning was the first
| important meeting.
President Clark presided after prayer and
praise service, during which a hymn of
welcome, composed especially for the oc-
casion by Rev. s. f. Smith, DID,, author o
America. Delegates were welcomed on be-
half OF the committee of '95 by Hon. S. B.
Capen; pastors of the city extended their
welcome thro' Rev. A. HI. Plumb; and
Governor F. T. Greenhalge, representing
the State of Massachusetts, gave the dele
gates most hearty welcome.
Thursday afternoon the denominational
rallies were held in different places. 1t was
impossible to obtain admittance to Me-
chanics Hall Thursday evening, an over
flow of one thousand was held on the
steps.
Ihe meetings on Friday were both in
teresting and profitable; we were dissap-
pointed not to hear Neaf Dow ON Saturday.
1t would take two much space if we were
to enter into details of each meeting.
1t was our privilege to attend recep-
ton given by the members of Walnut
Avenue Congregational Church to the Della
ware delegates. never saw or met such
genial, pleasant people, tn cordiality ex-
tended tous who but a short time previous,
were strangers, was touching. 1t was one
OF the many proofs of the religion of
Jesus Christ uniting all hearts in bonds of
human fellowship. A short meeting was
held during which a former Delawarean,
Rev. Mr.. Cally, of Tabernacle Baptist
Church, made few remarks just to the
point; he was very enthusiastic over his
native State.
Rev. A. Fl. Plumb, pastor of the church,
welcomed the delegates to their midst.
After singing and benediction, the friends
were invited into the church parlors, where
the ladies had prepared refreshments,
which were enjoyed very much.
Sunday evening we had the pleasure of
hearing the only delegate from Alaska. The
early morning prayer meeting which we
attended at Union Congregational Church
was to US the most impressing of all.
The conservation meeting at which Sec
retary Baer presided, was wonderful
sight; the roll call of states and territories
was responded to by forty-six states and
three territories also by delegates from
Canada, the Floating Societies which is
composed principally of sailors, and one
delegate from Australia Delaware's re-
sponse was the State motto, Tho your sins
be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.
tho they be red like crimson, they shall be
as WOOL" and one stanza of the State
Hymn.
After singing that most touching hymn
GOD be with you till we meet again" we
received the benediction and wended our
way homeward,
1t has indeed been q great privilege to
meet with these $1,000 delegates, that is the
official number of active and associate
members registeredD on this historic spot.
Boston has opened her arms and received
this army of young people, they have been
granted opportunities which have been
denied some of the Oldest citizens. The
stores are extravegently decorated, red and
white being conspicuous, where ever it is
possible to have it, and in every form and |
shape Imaginable, even the florists have
decked their windows in the national
colors, the cart horses, private residences.
IN short you see the grand old emblem of
our Nation, stars and stripes, and the En-.
ieaVor flag everywhere you go.
We must not forget to mention the kind
ness OF the citizens in opening their homes
@ this army of endeavorers. 1t has been
ne privilege OF some Of US to be cared for.
over and protected by those who
'ut comparatively short time ago were
trangers, but we have found a place in
heir hearts, the memory of.which We shall
herish all our lives, it recalls to our minds
he command Of Christ, Il was a stranger
nd We took me in''
Some one has said the stranger is not
he only one who has been benefited bv
he convention. Boston has also been
wakened. Her institutions of all kinds
ave been opened free to all wearers Of the
Boston '95' badge. Her citizens have
cen aroused to renewed interest in the !,
istoric places. 1T as has not been un-
to hear some one remark II have
we'd in Boston all my life and have never
isited this spot before" What better
roof can we have that this society. which
elts the globe, has firm hold in the =
carts of the people.
To be an eye witness of this vast multi
lde and to hear their songs of praise on
le cars, boats, everywhere they might d
was an inspiration.
k1,or- 1o1x