The San Francisco call., 1895-07-14

land and Los Angeles each endeavoring to
gain the coveted plum.
Mr. Watt, the chairman of the provi.
slonal committee, was very enthusiastic
when seen yesterday, saying:
I regard this International Christian En-
deavor Convention, from purely secular
standpoint, one of the most important
bodies that could be brought to this City. We
believe we can bring to San Francisco 10000
people, of whom 5000 will come from the other
side OF the Rockies and 5000 from the Pacific
Coast States and Territories With 10000 out
siders the meetings held in this City ought to
have an attendance OF 10000 daily, which
would exceed anything of the kind ever held
In this City or on the coast.
1twould be particularly advantageous to have
these people come because they are mostly
young men and women just out OF school or
college and ready to engage in the activities OF
life. Many of them have not determined their
permanent place OF abode or their ayOcat1on.
They are for the most part clean, intelligent,
nthusiastic young people OF the middle class,
the very kind of people we would like to have
SETTLE in California, being young.
Even if they 90 not stay with us they will re-
turn to their Eastern homes to sing the praises
of California for years to come. More impor-
tant however, than the secular side of the ques-
ton isthe moral and spiritual upliftwhich assure
Is sure to result from the presence of this body
OF devoted young people. Such convention
is necessary to strengthen and encourage those
engaged in moral reform, and to show the peo-
pie that nothing, not even the political conven-
ton, the Grand Army OF the Republic, the Sir
Knights, or any other organization can bring
together so large number of people as a
purely religious convention. There are no Off
GERS to elect, the convention has no legislative
powers, each society being amenable only to
the church of which it is a part.
Under these circumstances, with no selfish
or personal interests to conserve. the size of
these gatherings are the more remarkable. 1t
should not be forgotten that the convention
will bring to San Francisco more noted orators
than perhaps ever within her borders at
one time.
We are hoping that both. or at least one of
the great political conventions will come in '96,
and that the people will build decent conven-
tion hall, SO that We can use it in 1897.
Among the most earnest advocates of the
movement, and who appreciates to the
fullest the business as well as the spiritual
benefit to be derived from this convention
is Rev. DR.. Mackenzie, who said:
The Christian Endeavor movement is no
longer an experiment. The fifteen years of it's
existence have seen constant progress in ac
tivity, in wisdom and in loyalty to the churches
to which the young people belong. 1t is one of
those surprises which God in his providence
reveals from time TO time in hours of matured
need.
At time when we are sagely told that evan
gelical beliefs have lost their hold and that the
Bible is no longer up to date, 10! 70 900 young
hearts-the arbitrators of the mex generation
march along the streets of Boston consecrated
both to these beliefs and this Bible. The
church OF the next century is guaranteed in
its character and activity by this Endeavor
movement.
1t is the most practical form of Christian
union the world has ever seen. 1t cuts the red
tape and meets in union of fundamental belief
and activity-not Utopian and theoretical
unity of outward forms, but of practical union
OF love and service for a common Master.
California has seen many famous scenes, but
this City has never witnessed anything like
what that convention will be TIVE years hence
They will do us good, we will do them good.
What is more important than that fifty or
seventy-five thousand Christian citizens and
voters should see for themselves this Western
Empire, whose destiny may yet pass under
their intelligent action at the ballot-box or in
the halls Of legislation? There is a civic gain