Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-28
With the Many Thousands of Ep-
 worth League Workers.
MOST NOTABLE GATHERING
Mammoth Tent Not Large Enough to Hold the Vast Horde of Delegates and Spec
 tators-Prooeedings.

10 dhdOubtSdiy llit Bl5Stsst IcCOIucu ustJ in the history of the I1pworth League societies of America, ss well as of Methodism. The second international conference opened it's session at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon in the assembly tent. which spread it's white folds like wings of peace over 10000 expectant and enthusiastic delegates. The convention is in full sway, yet every incoming train adds to the city's population.
 Such a multitude of young folks was never before gathered in this historic convention city The tri-colors, sym bolizing the three branches of Method ism, fluttered from thousands of breasts, while flags and bunting were conspicu- ously displayed on every street At noon 10000 people, not here forty-eight hours before. surged through the streets, while tonight the number ranged be- tween 12,c00 and 15,00o. Not less than. 10000 will be in the city before night fall on Friday, which is the big day of the meet. The heavy train loads of people have been handled with dispatch and sat isfaetion by the anny of local workers, many of them having been assigned to homes by committees sent to all large cities in the state situated on the several roads running into Chattanooga Elk cursions will be run tomorrow from At lanta, Knoxville, Nashville and other points, which will land transcients in the city. Such an opportunity for southern hospitality was never before presented to the city of Chattanooga.
 At 7 o'clock this morning 205 delegates arrived, but were promptly furnished lodging for the night. Bishop O. F. Fitz- gerald and wife of California were among today's arrivals, while Nevada and the Indian territory sent fair delegations. The Arkansas Traveller" from Little Rock, the John Wesley" special from Memphis, the Galloway" special from Mississippi swamps, party of 100 very prominent people from New York and the east are but few of the chartered trains that made this their destination today. Four train loads composed wholly of H. linoisans rolled in tonight and this after noon. increasing the attendance from the 'Sucker' state from 100 to 1500. Despite the attractions in the city 5000 round trip tickets were sold to Lookout mountain, while every livery rig in Chattanooga was drafted into service for trips to Chick amauSa park. The gathering under the mammoth tent was inspiring
 At 2;3O D. m. the Illinios delegation struck up Blessed Be the Name" and sang several stanZas of the old gospel hymn before the vast audience chimed in
 General Secreary John A. Patton of the Chattanooga conference committee pre- sided, and after prayer by Rev. K c. Att kins briefly addressed the meeting. In- terest in the proceedings was intense. The crowding of Chattanooga is the best tribute to the work of the brilliant young Methodist and his co-laborers.
 Mayor George W. Ochs added to his national reputation as an orator, welcom- ing the leaguers in such a flow of pa triotic eloquence that the vaulted canvas echoed with applause.
 Rev. J. P. McFerrin pleased the audi ence with humorous address extend ing cordial welcome.
 Bishop E. R. Hendrix replied for the Methodist church. south; Rev. John Potts of Toronto for the Canadian Methodists and Bishop s. M. Merrill for the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Bishop Merrill arrived on the Chicago special in the nick of time to participate in the love feast. General Secretary Steele of the southern church. whose voice made Chattanooga the conference town, made statement closing the service.
 The keynote of universal brotherhood was struck in the address of Rev. John Potts, who supplied the place on the pro- gramme of Sir Mckenzie Boswell. the premier of Canada. The music forms the featurs of every service. A Chautauqua meeting was held in the Centenary Meth odist Episcopal church, following the meeting, but being in the nature of an overflow meeting and owing to the non arrival of the speakers it was brief.
 At tonight's tent service thousands of people were unable to get within hear ing distance and were compelled to go away The chief sermon, preached by Bishop Galloway of Mississippi. on Christian Fellowship" was the grand est ever heard by the people of Chatta- nooga. 1t was deep toned and eloquent supper was then administered by the bishops to 10000 communicants.
 The following greeting, sent by James N. Fitzgerald, first vice-president of the league for the Methodist Episcopal church from Berne Switzerland, was read by Bishop Merrill, showing the world wide interest attached to this meeting;
 Berne, Switzerland June IS. To the International Epworth League
 Conference at Chattanooga, Tenn:
 In the fullness of my heart send fra ternal greetings from the leagues of Peru, Chilli, Argentine, Paraguay and Brazil in South America, and from those in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Bulga- ria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Fin land in Europe. Your fellow workers in all their fields will be present with you in spirit, uniting their prayers with yours for the manifestation of the di- vine presence in your midst, and they indulge the hope that when the next i'm ternationa1 conference shall be held
 
 to share in the labors and the joys of the occurrence. Grateful for the bless ings that have attended the efforts of thmselves and their co-laborers in the past they give pledge of more perfect de- votion in the future to the work which the Epworth league seems to accomplish in all lands for God and humanity.
 To the greetings or the leaguers in the countries named I beg for my own most cordial salutatio Grace be with you all. My regret at not being able to meet with you is greater than I can express Your assembly will give striking illustra- tions of the oneness of faith and pur- pose whicht characterizes our common Methodism and reports of your proceed ings will be studied with deep interest throughout Christendom. I doubt not that the consecration will be the keynote of our confidence, and as that note sounds forth and is taken up by the leagues of the world the world will move more speedily toward Christ. Earnestly praying that your gather ing together may result in immeasurable | good to the organization in the interest l of which you are assembled. and upon |