The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-11
ENDEAv0RERS.
Triple Opening Of the Great Conven.
ton at the Hub.
MIGHTY OVATION TO LEADERS
At Mechanics Hall and the Two
Big Tents.


Enthusiastic Endeavorers Fill the Air
with Tunefui songs-Rev. DIR. Smiths
New Hymn sung at Each of the serv-
ioes-secretary Baer's Annual Report
Shows "A Great Intorracial brotherhood
of e,473,7io-A Review of the Services
OF Today and Last Night and u List of
the Prominent Speakers Headquarters
VIII Not BE Moved to Chicago.
BOSTON, July 1.-THE Christ En-
deavorers have possessed Boston. From
center TO circumference the city is now
owned by badge-bedecked young people
from the -four corners Of the earth. Their
presence has affected the town more than
anything else has affected IL for a decade.
They have obliged this prim old city to
don gorgeous garb Of crimson and white.
Indeed Boston Is doing unheard-of things
those days
The delegates are the center Of interest
everywhere. Early this morning they
began their convention work by relig-
iously visiting 20 early morning prayer
meetings in different parts of tho city
ut $3.50 o'clock. Refreshed by these, they
began to gathepat an early hour at the
meeting places Of the convention. Me
chanics hall naturally had the greater
part of the delegates, for here the state
headquarters are located, and here DIR.
Clark presided at the inaugural session.
IL was fully an hour before the time of
formal opening that the scattered loiterers
about the building were increased by the
entrance of delegation after delegation.
Some came In by states, some by towns,
some by social companies. Many carried
banners, all sang songs The sight from
the platform was an inspiring one.
As the throngs poured In at the several
entrances Of the building, oil singing the
popular Christian Endeavor songs, often
there would be half n dozen different
songs heard at the same time. These
would commingle in curious fashion, and
then the most popular would gain the
right of way, and soon sweep over the en-
tire body as one mighty chorus. Scatter
Sunshine" "At the Cross" "There Is
Sunshine In My Soul Today" and Throw
Out the Lifeline" were the most popular
melodies.
Some of the western delegates were
greeted, as they entered, by the applause OF
those already In the building. and banner
after banner, as it was borne down the
center aisle by Its adhcrents. was gcner-
>usly cheered by the delegates.
One after another the notables began to
arrive ON the platform, and, as each was
singled out, he was made the occasion of
vigorous round of applause. President
Clark himself received a mighty ovation
that continued for two or three minutes
handkerchiefs, flags and banners being
waved frantically in the air by the enthu-
siastic young people. while steady vol
ume OF applause was maintained by the
-clapPipg OF hands.
1t was somo time before the beginning
Of the regular song service that Percy S.
Foster, the popular leader from Washing
ton, took his place at the front of tho
platform, and by sweep or two OF his
magic baton brought unity and harmony
out OF the spasmodic songs OF the dele
gates. From this time until the closing OF
the session the delegates sang whenever
opportunity presented and with such a
mighty volume of song as has never be-
fore been hoard in this building.
Already the Endoavorers have made
themselves name as singing Christians.
In the two tents this Same program was
practically repeated. The crowds were
present, tho same enthusiasm was mani
fest, and the same tendency TO sing the
popular Christian Endeavor songs
Crowds Of curious on-lookers hr )nged |
the entrances Of all three nuditoriums- |
Mechanics hall, Tent Williston and Tent |
Endeavor-and gazed wonderingly on the |
delegates as they entered Ii the conven-
ton grows as IL has begun, and maintains
the same high spirit of enthusiasm, one |
scarcely dares prophesy what will be its
end on next Monday.
Todsy's Services.
The convention formally opened today
In Mechanics building, Tenu Williston
and Tent Endeavor.
President Francis f. Clark, DID, pre-
sided at Mechanics building Praise and
prayer service was followed by devotional
exercises led by Rev. Smith Boxer. DID.
of East Boston. Next came the followino
"Hymn Of Welcome" written for the oc,
casion by Rev. 5. f. Smith, DID, author
of "America:"
We welcome the hosts OF our glorious King,
The King whom we worship, whose praises we
sing
His triumph we seek; His dear cause cannot
fail
Christ's servants Christ's soldiers, for His
sake, All Hail
Our hearts are as one and ono Nam we adore;
We lean on one Arm Of onnip,tent Power.
Come, Prince of Salvation come, reign Thou
alone
All worlds be Thy kngdoD, and all hearts Thy
throne.
AS Ger tho wide earth bends the blue arch
above,
Brood DER us, o Spirit OF wisdom and love;
Our Life, our Redeemer. our Saviour, our cod.
We ycarn iOr Thy coming. We wait for Thy
nod.
We march forth, unshrinklng, TO battle FOR
Thee: