The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-24

A mammoth dry-goods house in fremont
street had its entire front covered by an
electrical design. The Park Square station
Of the New Haven road was tastefully deco
rated. The churches were decked out with
fags, and in more than fifty pulpits on the
Sunday before the convocation the sermons
touched on the convention. -
The two great tents on the Common. with
capacity Of 10, 900 people each, were amply
equipped with electric lights and seats ar.
ranged as in an amphitheatre. Tho chorus 0f
5000 voices was the largest ever heard In
Boston.
The feature In which the general public
manifested the greatest interest wasI the
three great mass meetings held each day In
Mechanics Hall and In the tents. These
were addressed by some OF the most noted
eyangeists from all parts OF the world, and
the addresses were supplemented by "Qpen
parliaments," lasting for halfhour Or more.
Next in general interest were the commit
tee conferences, held simultaneously at if-
teen different churches. each representing q
special department OF Endeavor work.
Another feature which excited great en-
thusiasm was the State rallies, receptions
and general social occupations at the State
HEADQUARTERS. These State rallies we're held
In the different State headquarters in Boston.
There were also several local receptions at
the hotel headquarters, given by the vafious
city delegations to the officers of the United
Society.
On the third afternoon of the convention
an informal reception was rendered to the
State and Territorial officers Of the Christian
Endeayor by the United Society in Cotiar
Hall Over 800 invitations were issued for
this.
Aunique feature was the series OF MONDAY
meetings held at factories, stores and
wharves wherever they could be arranged.
More than one hundred companies OF work.
ers organized in various parts OF the country
to take charge OF these meetings.
The first National Convention ofthe Young
Peoples Society Of Christian Endeavor was
held in Portland, Me. Gts birthplace), In
1882 The membership then was 48l, com.
prising six societies. At the twelfth conven.
tion held In Cleveland, Ohio, in June, 1894;
28,741 societies, with membership OF 1,724,-
200, were represented.
Rev. DR.. Francis E. Clark, Of the Wiltiston
Church, of Portland, Me-, was the orgina-
tor Of the society. Being deslrous OF inter
esting the young people In church work he,
invited them to his house and talked to
them about 1t, and their enthusiasm being
aroused, he asked them to sign this pledge:
''Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ fol-
strength, promise Him that will strive tc
do whatever He would like to have me do
that will pray to Him and read the Bible
every day. and that, just so far as I know
how, throughout my whole life, Twill endea
vor to lead Christian life. As IN active
member I promise to be true to NIL my
duties, to be present Mt and to take some
part aside from singing in every meeting,
unless hindered by some reason which can
conscientiously give to my Lord aud Master,
Jesus Christ. II obliged to be absent from
the monthly conservation meeting, I will, II
possible. send ON excuse for my absence to
The society,""
The first name subscribed to this pledge
was that OF W. q. Pennell, who has ever
since been prominent in the society. It was
not long before every church In Portland
had similar society. A member OF Willis.
ton Church moved to Lincoln, Neb., and
carried the idea there. Another member
moved to South Hadley, Mass, and started
society there. And so 1t spread, not only
throughout this country, but to foreign coun.
tries, until it has reached every civilized
country on the globe, and. in fact some
which are not civilized.