The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-11
GATHER AT The HUB.
Christian EndeavOr Convention
Opened Today in Boston.
Nine Thousand Assemble in Big
Tent Endeavor.
BOSTON'S WELCOME.
Rev. Mr.. Kneeland Calls C. E.
Gods High Geared Bicycle"
There Are Over Two Million
Members in the Society.

Boston, July 1.-THE big convention
of all the Christian Endeavor societies
in the United States began here today
Over 5000 enthusiastic EndeavOrers
crowded the Tent Endeavor. Crimson
aud white streamers waved all over the |
tent, the bunting being draped from the
great center pole of the tent.
Flags and colors of all nations inter- !
spersed the streamers and added va |
riety to the grand scene. High above all |
the flags of the United Kingdom of !
Great Britain and the stars and stripes |
hoated. Upon the platform at the ex-
treme end the grand chorus of 500 |
and the speakers and prominent members |
of the society were seated.
Before the time for the opening of the
service arrived the chorus and delegates
spontaneously started an Endeavor
hymn. Other songs followed and the
music was almost continuous until the
Rev J. T. Bsckley, D D, of New York,
opened the meeting according to the
programme by announcing the first
hymn, "Onward, Christian Soldiers''
The hymn of welcome, written for the
occasion by DR.. s. F. Smith, the author
of america" was sung and then Mr.
Beckley addressed A. J. Corckett, presi-
dent of the Boston local union, who well
coined the delegates in behalf of the En-
deavorers of Boston. The welcome of
the city pastors was extended by Rev. NJ.
D. Kneeland, D. D., of Boston, VINO said:
"It was the Christian Endesvor society
in Kansas that helped put legislation
| upon the statute books which struck
gambling and lotteries Il deadly blow in
that state: a Christian Endeavorer draft
| ing the bill in the exact form in which it
was passed. les, we can never forget
| that it was a Christian Endeavorer in
| Troy, in the person of Robert Ross, who
gave mis- life to protect the ballot box,
! and when that young martyr fell in this
holy cause, tens of thousands of young
men had new impulse to do their duties
as patriots at any cost
sand this leads me to say that we will
welcome you to our city just at this time
in our history because you ali stand for
| good citizenship We believe in God
in politics. and that allegiance to God
| and patriotism are synonymous
"Wss it not a young lady who was a
| Christian Endsavorer that said: of we
cannot have vote, we can have a voter"
| The women are recognizing their resp pom
sibilities for good government and much
of the success of reform movements in
Brooklyn and New York is due to their
efficient service.
"At last the world has come to the
"hub." You are all spokes of the hub to-
day, fifty or sixty thousand spokes. Quite
| wheel thatl Its buZZing, whizzing,
singing are heard around the globe.
christian Endeavor is Gods high
gear bicycle by means of which he is
girdling the world with righteousness.
Boston is certainly the hub of this wheel
because this ia the center and in the
Portland suburb of greater Boston the
first Christian Endeavor cradle was
rocked. That baby has proved to be, in
fourteen years, a very Medusa, since
every hair of its head is today Christian
Endeavor society. All honor to that man
of a magnificent idea which God in
breathed, and has SO signally blessed,
Father Endeavor Clark"
In behalf OF the state of Massachusetts
Lieutenant Governor WoIcott then well
coined the delegates and Rev. J. Fl. Bar
rows, D. D., of Chicago, responded to the
welcome of Massachusetts and Boston in
behalf of the society and the delegates.
The Rev. ]. R. Cheesman of Cleveland,
Ohio, read the annual report of the sec
rstary, John Willis Baer of Boston,
The session then adjourned
The total mem bership of the society is
placed at 2, ,473, ,74O, and there are Al, ,229
societies. During the year there have
been formed 1850 new societies, the
| largest mum Der IOr any one year since
the Christian Endeavor movement was
inaugurated IA years ago. Pennsylvania
still leads with 4, 139 societies; New York
next with 3,682. In all there are 9.122
junior societies, with total membership
of 100000. Pennsylvania also leads with
1923, and New York is second with 92O.
At the meeting in the Mechanics
building hundreds were unable to gain
admission to the audience. which held
10000 people. The stage portion re-
served for the speakers was occupied by
one section of the chorus of nearly 1,00C
voices.
The advent of President Clark, the
founder and leader of the Christian En-
deavor meeting, was signal for the out
! burst of tremendous applause, which
| continued for several minutes.
At the close of his address Gov. Green
halge was escorted to the stage. The aud
ience greeted him with the ChautauqU
salute, thousands of handkerchiefs beinj
l waved from all parts of the hall as b.
, took his seat He was introduced an
welcomed the delegates to MassAchu
!, sets.