Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-13
AT THE BIG CONVENTION
The Endeavorers Distinguished as Singing
Christians.
Characteristic Scenes at Boston
Washington Preparing for Next
Year-TOpics at the Hub.
Staff Correspondence of The Evening Star.

BOSTON, July II, 1895.
One who has never attended Christian
Endeavor convention cannot realize the
amount and extent of enthusiasm that pre-
walls at every meeting. The delegates
gather for one purpose-that of uniting in
song and prayer and of listening to words
of experience and instruction. Each session
of the convention proper is attended by as
many as can get into the hall and tents,
and it is estimated that at least 10000 are
present at the three sessions that are
simultaneously held here. 1t puzzles an
outsider to define the cause of the enthusi-
astic fervor which prevails, and which
seems to increase with each session. The
crowds assemble long before the hour of
meeting, and they fill in the time with
songs. 1t only requires some one to start
one of the many familiar hymns and i'm
mediately everybody joins in the singing.
This matter of song seems to be with the
Endeavorer everywhere. AS they go on
the street cars or in buses, or march by
delegations to and from the convention
sessions, they open their HYMN books and
sing nearly all the way. I have seen a
dozen or more street cars all in a line filled
with Endeavorers, and on all there was
singing of hymrs
All the exercises at the convention ses-
sions are punctured with songs. There
will be an address or two and then a song.
and this arrangement will be repeated
through the program. MOI SaUSfeQ with
regular convention sessions, there are sun
rise and MONDAY prayer meetings, denom-
national rallies, evangelistic bands and
other religious exercises SO that II one
were disposed and had the physical
strength to endure it he could commence
with the dawn of day and continue until
nearly midnight attending some meeting
of prayer or praise every day during the
convention. Even after the regular meet
ings are over the Endeavorers don't seem
to be satisfied or exhausted, for they give
concerts of hymns at the hotels or board
ing houses where they are temporarily
District delegation, and I am told it is SO
with the others. After they get back from
the night service the delegates will sit In
the hotel rotunda, on the stairs and in the
reading rooms, some lady will go to the
piano and Mr.. Percy Foster will lead them
in an impromptu program that will last
nearly an hour. The District delegation
is fortunate in possessing quite large
number of good singers, and the concert
which they furnish is greatly enjoyed
Washingtonians Are Prominent.
More interest is taken in the District
delegation this yeaf than in any other, for
the convention will be held in Washington
next year. Eight of the next years ex-
ecutive committee are here. and they are
keeping their eyes wide open SO that they
may svail themselves of all the good ar
rangements that the Boston committees
have made, and also be able to avoid suen
mistakes as have been developed. Mr.. w.
H. H. Smith, the chairman, is making
close observations of the general plans
and even the details that have been carried
out, by the. Boston committee, and ne mas
had conferences with many OF the mem.
hers. Mr. w. A. H. Church. chairman of
the hall committee. has been looking over
the arrangements in Mechanics Hall and
in two big tents.
Preparing for Next Year.
The District Endeavorers have a financial
interest in these tents, and they will be
taken to Washington next year, where 1t
rs proposed to erect them on the White
Lot if permission can be obtained. Mr.
Church is not yet determined whether 1t
would be better to put up two more tents
sas big as these or to erect large tenn
porary building, but whatever Is decided
upon it is certain that there will be pro-
vided seating capacity exceeding that In
Boston by about 10000.
Mr.. Miles NJ. Shand, chairman of the ac-
commodation committee, is confident that
with the plans he has in view the dele
gates who come to washington Will De
amply provided for. and he estimates that
there will be over a hundred thousand En-
deayorerc who will attend the convention
of '98. Rev. E. B. Bagby, chaplain of the
House of Representatives, the chairman of
the committee on reception, has already
made himself quite popular by the earnest
and brilliant addresses he has made here
and as he is good executive, as well as
fine speaker he will see that the delegates
will be well received on their arrival in
Washington.
Mr.. Chas. S. Clark is chairman of the
music committee, and he is determined to
have the important part of the exercises
that fall under his care fully equal to the
showing made here, and up to the high
standard that marks the musical ability Of
Washington. In this convention Mr.. Clark
is drawn closely to Mr.. Percy Foster. for
although the latter is treasurer of the SO
committee, his interest in music is well
known, and his advice and suggestions will
undoubtedly be sought.
Judge A. S. Taylor, the vice chairman, is
studying the situation in the same way as
Chairman Smith. and John d. Morgan, the
is the secretary of the committee, is learn
ing from the experience Of this years work.
Mr.. John B. Sleman. jr., chairman of
e een' interviews gta s with Mr Ba ud
new, who has charge OF that work here,
and is determined that even the admirable
arrangements that obtain here shall be i'm
proved upon.
EndeavOrers I'm Politics.
The Christian Endeavorers, who now
number between two and three million, are
likely to exercise some considerable in
f1uence in municipal. state and national
politics, but not in any way so as to divide
Idt lies, duu Olly Ill Inc ulTeCIOu OF eleVat-
ing politics from partizan bias and in the
direction of good citizenship and good gov
eminent. This aim of the Endeavorers has
been frequently referred to in the adj
dresses made before the convention.
don't know but the enthusiasm that per-
vades this convention may be not imam
propriately compared to that which is SO
certain, SO insinuating and SO infectious
at a great national political convention
1t hasn't the boisterousness of a nominat-
ing assembly, but there Is the glow of such
intense feeling of loyalty to the cause that
the magnetism stirs the pulses of every
one who comes within the influence Of
the conventions spirit.
Evangelistic Work.
Some of the Washington delegates have
been quite successful in evangelistic work
This consists in going to large factories
during the noon hour and holding brief
services with the operatives. At some this
work has been so effective that the pro-
prietors have invited a second and third
visit, and have extended every facility in
the prosecution of the work Several re-
quests for prayers have been made, and
some conversions have resulted. Rev. d.
NJ. Skellinger has been in charge of these
evangelistic bands, and he has been as
sisted by MeSSrS Shand Slap,op JIyt,a