The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-07-18
AN ENORMOUS GATHERING.
A MIGHTY HOST.
International Convention of the Society
of Christian Endeavor.

sO'iuh NJ Dorloh, anu so great was the num-
Der oil delegates and visitors expected that the
local committee arranged to take care OF
Oo,OOO persons without confusion or discom-
tort.
The growth OF the Christian Endesvor
movement has been something stupendous
Tho first society was formed by its present
president Rev. Francis L. CLARK, at Portland,
Me-, In 1851. In IA years the society has
grown until the membership now numbers
over two ahd quarter millions. Beside
those enrolled in the Christian Endeayor 40.
cieties, the movement has stimulated the
organization Of other and similar leagues in
churches which deemed 1t wise to make their
young peoples society strictly denomination
al. The Christian Endeavor Society, is un-
denominational. Each society, however, is
In some local church. and its object is to
make It's members loyal and efficient workers
In the cause.
OF the officers OF the United Society but
one, Secretary Baer, draws any salary from
the society. President Clark and Treasurer
shaw deriving their support from the Golden
Rule, the official organ. This periodical Is
not published by the United Society but by n
private corporation. The Golden Rule Is
taken In every country where there are
English-speakiDg members Of the Christian
Endeavor societies.
The most elaborate preparations were tnnde
TO shelter the delegates. Mechanics Hail
was leased in It's entirety. The main hall
seats $4,000; the Exhibition Hall was used as
hugo restaurant; CotilIlon Hall was used as
Massachusetts headquarters. In addition, two
waterproof tents accommo odating 10. 600 each
were leased. Large churches In the district
were also used, which gave total seating
capacity OF $4,000
The chief business TO be considered the
ilrst day was the offer OF II. H. Kohlsaat of
the Chicago Times Herald, who had agreed
TO pay $4,000 year for three years towards
the maintenance Of the society headquarters
on condition they be removed from Boston 10
chicago. Alter committee had passed ad.
vefsely upon the subject and reported, tue
report oil the committee was unanimously ac-
cepted aud the headquarters will not be re-
moved from Boston at present.
on Thursday at the regular opening the
convention over 5000 enthusiastic Endeav-
orers crowded Tent Endeayor. Crimson and
white streamers waved oil over the tent. the
bunting being draped from the great center
poles. Flags and colors OF all nations inter-
epersed the streamers, and testified by their
variety to the international character OF the
gathering High above all Others the flags
OF the United Kingdom Of Great Britain and
the Stars and Stripes noated. Upon tho
platform at the extreme end the grand
chorus OF 900 and the speakers and promi-
nent members OF the society were seated.
Before the time for the opening OF the ser
started an Endeavor hymn. Other songs
followed. and the music was almost continu-
Gus until the Rev. j. T. Beckley, ID. d., OF
New York, opened the meeting according to
the programme by announcing the arst hymn.
"Onward Christian Soldiers"
At the conclusion OF the hymn Rev. W. III.
Albright, OF Boston, read passage from the
Scripture, and then, asking for the earnest
cooperation OF all the delegates In the open
ing session, called for testimony by delegates.
For 10 minutes from all parts ofthe audience
came the words OF praise to the Almighty
aud good tidings to the Endeavor Society.
Mr.. Beckley vas forced TO announce the
g9 n auultp0y- issfOre all who desired had
testified. He called attention TO the banner
which hung over his head. inscribed: FOR
Christ and tho Church. Welcome" and ex-
horted his hearers as they raised their voices
TO bear In mind that they should forget TO
work for Christ and His church.
The hymn OF welcome, written for the oc-
casion by DIR. +. $. Smith. the author Of
America" was sung AMI then Mr.. Beckey
introduced A. j. Crockett, president OF the
Boston Local Union, who welcomed the dele
gates in behalf OF the Eudeavorers Of Boston
The welcome Of the city pastors was extend
ed by NJ. j. Kneeland D. d., Of Boston. In
behalf OF the state OF Massachusetts, Lieu
tenant Governor Roger Wolcott then vel.
coined the delegates Then the Rev j. II.
Barrows. ID. D., Of Chicago responded to the
welcome Of Massachusetts and Boston ia be-
half OF the society and the delegates.
At 23J o'clock Thursday afternoon 20 de-
nominatlonal rallies were held In the differ
ent churches OF the city and its suburbs.
These rallies were well attended by the dele
gates. according TO their denomnational con.
nectOn.
The trustees decided upon san Franscisco
AS the place for holding the convention 10
1897.
At the night meeting in Mechanics hall the
doors. had TO be closed and not even dele.
gates were admitted after I o'clock. An
overflow meeting was held III front OF the
building.
The wiIlston tent was iammed at the eve
ming meeting, as was tent Endeavor. The
famous evangelist, Rev. Dwight l.. Moody,
spoke in Mechanics hail, on The Bible and
Its Relation to Christian Endeavor" Rev.
II. ii. Conwell, Of Philadelphia. spoke on
The Rejuvenating Work OF the Christian
Endeavors Throughout the World in VIII.
iston tent, and John q. Wooley, OF Chicago,
on THE Christian Endeavor vs the Saloon,h
In tent Endeavor. Rev. W. B. Milligan, OF
Allegheny, read the scriptures In the latter
meeting.
At Fridays meeting at Tent Endeavor the
crowds were larger than on the previous
day, the sides of the tent being looped up to
allow 5000 unable TO obtain admittance TO
participate in the services. The chorus had
been augmented, and with the endeavorers
who gathered early, sang hymns until the
meeting opened. Rev. Howard B, Grose. OF
Chicago, presided, and Geo. X. Somerby, OF
Boston led the chorus. A praise and prayer
service opened the meeting at $3.50 o'clock,
led by Rev. W. ii. Penncll, Of Washington,
ID. c., 10000 voices joined with him in re-
peating the Lords prayer. Geo. B. Graf,
Of Boston, read the Information Committee's
report, which discussed the wonderful ad-
vance OF the endeavor work.
Rev. j. +. COwan. OF Plttsburg, Pa, con-
ducted one OF the most interesting parts OF
the service, the presentation OF junior State
banners, one for the greatest absolute gain
In the number OF societies. the other for the
greatest pToportionate gain Pennsylvania
received the first banner and Assinaboine.
Can, the second. The Rev. DR.. McCrory,
president OF the Pennsylvania union, ac-
cepted for his State, and Prof. Andrews for
Assinaboine,
Cardinal Endesvor Principles" was the
subject OF the address OF Rev. J. L. Lamont,
Of Belfast, Ire., who was the next speaker. He
was repeatedly applauded.
When the service In Mechanics Hall be-
gan this morning every seat In the hall was