The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-31

Observations by Delegate To the {. +.
Convention.

Nv Dear Grace.-Don't think l have
forgotten the promise made TO write you
about the great Christian Endcavor Con-
vention OF Boston. %. II was
imposslble 10 write until my return. and
Il will take about three long letters 10 de-
scribe TO you all l have seen and
done.
We were met at Providence r. l.. by
two Of the Reception Committee from the
North-Avenuc Congregational church. i'm
cambridge - our Virginia headquarters.
These two young men. and two young
lady Endeavorers of Providence showed
MS the city. II is a beautiful place. the
resident portion especially. the houses
showing a great variety OF architecture,
and surrounded with exquisite lawns
Taking the cars. We went out 10 Roger
williams Park. II is truly a beautiful
place. Here they have a monument 10
Williams. representing History inscrb-
ing his name on the Roll Of Fame.
soon after our return 10 the city We
went aboard a special train, and were
landed IN the Park-Square station. in
Boston. i'm about an hour. Here several
young ladies Of the Reception Committee
took us in charge and carried US. on the
electric cars, TO the church I'm Cam
bridge from which our homes were as
signed. We all had delightful homes. as
Ear as 7 have heard. and the Cambridge
people were truly lovely TO us.
IL took "a great deal Of conceit out OF
ms Virginians 10 see that we were not the
only people in the country noted for hos
pitality.
After resting n while. We went into
Boston. to the Berkeley Temple 10
h ear Dr. Dunning. OF Boston, ON "lhe
Relation Of Christian Endeavor 20 the
-H IH.a
square 10 see the exquisite decorations iu
honor OF the convention. There huge
wooden arches had been erected. covered
with rel and white bunting-the 20
colOrs - and holding exquisite palms
and hanging baskets Of red and white
flowers. Across these arches were writ
ten, in colorcd electric lights. words OF
cordial welcome 10 Boston. Too much
cannot be- said OF the exquisite flower
beds in this square laid 0ut m Chris
tian-EndeavOr notices and verses OF
Scripture. also an open Bible. a cross, and
crown. and the seal CT Massachusetts.
This appeared to many tine most deli
cate compliment paid the Convention by
the city and state.
We TOOK d ride ON AN electric launch
hung with red and white lanterns, and
we could easily imagine We were gliding
Chicago 80. The crowd, music. cleo
trio lights. bunting and flags. and. lastly,
the enthusiasm and good nature prevail
ing everywhere, added greatly 10 this
illusion.
II CONVENTION HALL.
The next morning. Thursday. bright
and early. We started for Mechanics
Hall, to be present al the opening eXer-
cises of the convention. This hall seat
ed ten thousand comfortably. ana, I'm
addition. there We're TWO huge tents on
the Common eacn seating ten thou
sand. With nfty-siX thousand register
ed delegates. you had 10 20 early 70 get
in; If you failed. there were overflow
rallies at the State booths, which You
could attend. or. as We Usually id, go
on sightseeing tour.
The decorations in Mechanics Han
were lovely. the seal Of each State being
placed around the galleries. surrounded
with her individual flags and bunting.
The red and white waving from the roof,
when the electric lights were turned on,
the effect was Undesirable. Back Of
the platform were seats for the chorus
Ohey had three thousand voices trained
10 sing the convention sOrgs) and min
listers Of the Gospel Just In front were
the tables for the press representatives.
The beautiful order which the ushors pre-
served was remarkable in so large an
audience. No talking or whispering was
allowed: no moving in and out, and not
a person was allowed to sit or stand
ia the aisles.
In the large hall adjoining Mechanics
Hall. were booths marked or. decorated.
and set aside as rallying tents for the
various States Here also were the
post-oiHce and news-stands and below
was a large cafe.
Before Announcement. Secretary Baer
read his annual report You. being an
Endeavorer. will enjoy a few OF his fig
ures. and feel very much encouraged
Total number OF societies. il.Z93. total
membership. 2l73.7ip. contributing In 'g5
TO missions and other benevolent work,
$1,000. The Presbyterlans lead. with
seven thousand societies, the Congrega-
tionalists follow. with five thousand eight
hundred and ninety-eight. and the Dis
ciples Of Christ are third. with three
thousand five hundred and fOrty-nine.
on Friday evening. at Mechanics Hall
We enjoyed a splendid address delivered
by Rev. Or. A. {. Dixon, OF brooklyn.
y. y. on the very lengthy subject. as he
expressed IT, Of "Denominati0nal Loyalty
and INSTRUMENTATION Fellowship"
The very title has the BOstonian air. has
il not? The singing az these meetings
was a great feature. here the enthusiasm
reached its highest pitch. At the song
service. before the address each evening.
very often you could hear four or five
different tunes sung AZ the same time in
the large hail.
Saturday evening the Virginia delaga-
tioa was entertained at a lovely rocep-
ton given by the North-Avenue Congre-
gational church. Here welcome words
were spoken by our hosts. and speeches
were made by prominent Virgnians \
pleasant feature Of the evening was the
Of a silver herry-spoon to
our very kind and attentive transporta-
ton agent, Mr.. Robert Leckey. Of Rich
mond. Va This was given as a token
OF appreciation by the delegation. and
words Of sincere thanks accompanied the
gift.
SUNDAY SERVICES
On Sunday each one selected his place
of worship. as Mechanics Hall and the
tents We're closed on that day. We
heard DR.. W. c. Biting OF New York,
at the Ruggles-Street Baptist church.
The music al this church is considered
the finest in Boston-a male quartette,
assisted by chorus. Upon inqulring
how so poor a church as they say IL Is
can afford TO pay ,Aess singers. We were
told that the manager OF the Youths
Companion belonged TO this church, and
paid for the music. This is surely a
generous act, as the church is packed at
every meeting. and Is doing a great work
In that section Of the city.
That afternoon We went TO our church,
the "South-End Tabernacle" 10 commun-
ion service. and TO 4 denominational rally
In the evening.
on NnnhaN evening We wont 70 No