Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-13
THOUSANDS COMING
Committees Preparing for the Great
Christian Endeavor Gathering.
GENERAL PLAN OF ORGANIZATION
Greater Attendance Expected Than
at Any Previous Convention.
WORK ALREADY MAPPED OUT

In July next will be held in this city what
is believed will be the largest religious
gathering ever assembled in the history of
the world. Before it the Moody meetings
of the spring of '9i will pale into insignifi-
canoe. conservative estimate fixes the
Eumber of delegates expected to attend the
fifteenth international Christian Endeavor
convention at 10000, and it is not improb-
able that more than 10000 persons will
register on the official list. If present plans
are perfected-and the committee in charge
of arrangements is working faithfully and
well to have them carried out-rehgiods
services will be held simultaneously dur
ing the convention in size equal to ten of
what WashingtonianS have been accuStom-
ed to term Moody meetings Forty thous-
and people will be accommodated with
seats at one time.
The growth of the Christian Endeavor
movement has been marvellous, and is
unique in the worlds history of religious,
achievements. Its inception is due to Rev.
Dr. Francis E. Clark, who started, in Feb
fuary, 1881, in a church in Portland, Me-,
OF which he was then pastor, society of
young people upon the principles now rec
ognized the world over as being the basic
elements of Christian Endeavor Today
1nere are more than two and one-ialf mil
ifShs VI young people scattered every
quarter of the globe who have pledged al
leg1ance to the principles of the organiza-
tion For Christ and the Church. is TIE
motto of the society, and its members are
banded together to promote right living
ana TO engage in evangelistic and mission
airy wtrk. 1t is an adjunct to the church,
ana has proved to be a most powerful and
efficient aid.
The Attendance Mt Conventions.
When the United Society of Christian En-
deavor began the practice of holding annual
conventions, the attendance was scarcely
more than one thousand. Now there is no
auditorium in this land of size sufficient
to accommodate the vast concourse of
young people attending the meetings. At
tne Minneapolis convention in 81 14,oOO
delegates were registered, and that rum
Der was more than doubled the next year,
when the meeting place was New York.
Forty thousand persons attended the con-
vention in Cleveland in 81, although the
general railroad strikes kept down the num-
Der considerably, and last year Boston re-
celVed more than $4,000 delegates. A cor
responding increase would indicate that a.
90 persons will be in Washington during
the early days of July, when the convention
Will be held, but the committee of 90 is
conservative, and does not claim an at
tendance greater than GO,OOO. Experience
has shown, however, that at nearly every
convention the registration lists foot Up a
total in excess of the estimated number.
u
in the case of Washington. as the capital
city has strong attractions for every Amer
lean citizen. There will be delegates from
abroad also, even oriental countries being
represented
Arranging for the Meetings.
1t is the custom in the Society of Chris
tan Endeavor to award the convention to
city two years in advance of The date
fixed for holding the same. Thus, at the
ion, i,,
ton selected by the board of trustees
as the meeting place in the summer of '96.
By this plan a long season of preparation
is assured, and the time is diligently occu-
pied by the members of the society in the
convention city in arranging the multitude
OF details for the proper reception of the
delegates and guests. The program for
the sessions of the convention is always
prepared by committee of the officers and
trustees of the United Society. They de-
eide upon the topics for discussion. and as
sign the speakers The local committees
are not concerned with what is to occur af-,
ter the convention meets.
Their duty, almost their whole duty is
preliminary. OF course, as hosts, they
must look after the comfort and pleasure
of the delegates after they arrive and plan
excursions for them and help them in see
ing the sights during their stay, but they do
not concern themselves about the exercises
connected directly with the convention it
self This is all arranged for them.
iAuu So loudy the washington committee
OF B is hard at work organizing the diff
ferent auxiliary bodies which are necessary
in such an extensive undertaking as pre-
pairing for an international convention of
Christian Endeavor societies; and just as
diligently the program committee of the
United Society is laboring over the details
OF the program. Even the musical directors
are selected by the Boston authorities, al
though the choruses which they will lead
are to be composed of local voices Last
year Percy S. Foster was one of the three
musical directors of the convention, and it
Is very probable that he will again be
chosen to a like position in the coming con-
VentiOn.
The Committee of '96.
To make arrangements necessary to pro-
vide eating places, sleeping places, meeting
places and greeting places for such a null
titude involves months of preparation by the
committee which formulates the plans and
faithful and efficient service by the large
number of auxiliary bodies required to carry
out the details. The heaviest burden falls
upon the committee of '96, which has sole
charge OF arranging for the conventio OF
the committee Mr.. w. H. H Smith is chair
man. Associated with him in the work arc
Judge A. S. Taylor, vice chairman: John
d. Morgan. secretary; Percy S. Foster.
treasurer; VIM. b. Robson NJ M Shand
". A. II church, &. s. Clark, Rev. E. B.
Baghy Grant Leet ]. B. Sleman, ir., and
w. F. Stowell.
In November. 1894. the committee of '9s
was organized, and besides its chairman and
other officers, it includes the chairmen of
eight important committees. among whom
the work Is apportioned. These committees
are IN turn subdivided in many Instances
and connected with them are the large
auxiliary bodies. " sc
There is. first, the finance committee. of
Wnlcn William b. Robson is chairman, con
slstlns OF twenty-five members with a citi
zens' advisory body of twenty-five of the
PsE IN TOWN, HONEY.