The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-28
EPWORTH LEAGUES BIG RALLY
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Vow IN PRoGREss.

over 10000 Persons in ChattnnooEa
and the Number May he Increased
to ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Secretary Pat
ten Presides Over the DeIIbcrn-
ttons-MHyor ochs Welcomes the
Delegates to the city.
Chattanooga. Tenn, June T.-June s7
is undoubtedly the biggest recorded day
in the history of the Epworth League
societies Of America. as well as the Metho-
dism. The second International confer
ence opened it's sessions at 2.S0 O'Clock
this afternoon in the assembly tent.
which spread its white folds like wings
Of peace over 1900 expectant and on
thusiastic delegates. The convention is I'm
fun sway. Yet every incoming train ads
to the city's population. Such a multi
tude OF young folks was never befor>
gathered in this historic convention city.
The tri-colors. symbollzing the three
branches Of Methodism. luttered from
thousands Of breasts, while flags and
bunting were conspicuously displayed on
every street. At noon to-day over 1000
people not here forty-eight hours before
surged through the streets, while tonight
the estimates range between 1900 and
1900. Not less than 10000 will be i'm the
city before nightfall on Friday, which is
the big day OF the meet.
The heavy train loads of people have
been handled with dispatch and satisfac-
tion by the army OF local workers. many
Of them having been assigned to homes
by committees sent to all the large cities
in the state situated on the several roads
running into Chattanooga. Excursions
Will be run tomorrow from Atlant Knox
vile, Nashville and other points, which
VIII land thousands of transents In the
city. Such an opportunity for southern
hospitality was never before presented TO
the people of Chattanooga. At a. m. 305
delegates arrived, but were promptly fur
nished lodging for the night.
Bishop o. Fitzgerald and wife Of Cali
tornia were among to-days arrivals. while
Nevada and Indian Territory sent fair
delegations. The Arkansas Travellers"
from Little Rock. the John Wesley spe-
cial from Memphis, the Galloway" spe-
cial from the Mississippi swamps. and a
party of 100 very prominent people from
New York and the east are but a few OF
the chartered trains that made this desti-
nation to-day. -Four train loads composed
solely Of lllinoisans rolled in this after,
noon and tonight, increasing the attend
ance from the Sucker State 200 TO ], 800.
Despite the attractions in the city, 5000
round trip tickets were sold TO Lookout
Mountain, and every train was drafted
into service for trips TO Chickamauga
Park. The gathering under the mammoth
tent began a 230 o'clock The Illinois
delegation struck up blessed Be tho
Name" and sang several stanzas Of the
old gospel hymn before the vast audience
chimed in.
General Secretary John A. Patton OF the
Chattanooga conference committee pre-
sided and after prayer by Rev. X G. At
kins, briefly addressed the meeting The
interest from the benches was intense
The crowded condition Of Chattanooga
is the best tribute to the work OF a bril-
liant young Methodist and his co-laborers
Mayor George W. Ochs added to his ma
tional reputation as an orator, welcom-
ing the leagucrs in such flow of patriotic
eloquence that the yaulted canvas echoed
with applause. Rev. J. Rafferin pleased
the audience with a humorous address ex-
tending a cordial welcome. Bishop T. r.
Hendrix replied for the Methodist church.
south; Rev. John Potts Of Toronto, for the
Canadian Methodists and Bishop 8. NJ.
Merrill for the Methodist Episcopal church.
cial in the nick Of time to participate In the
love feast. General Secretary Steele
or the southern church whose
voice made Chattanooga the
conference town made a statement clos
ing the service. The keynote of universal
brotherhood was struck in the address of
Rev John Potts, who supplied the place
on the programme of Sir Mackenzie
Bowel, the absent premier of Canada
The music forms feature of
vice. The conference choir of 500 voices
fairly took the gathering by storm. The
North Ohio conference quartette sepa-
rated for twelve years, were again united
and encored time upon time. An ovation
was given the Park sisters in their cornet
renditions.
4 Chautauqua meeting was held in the
Centenary Methodist Episcopal church,
following the tent meeting, being more in
the nature of an overflow meeting, but
owing TO the non-arrival of the speakers
it was brief.
At to-night's tent services thousands of
people were unable TO get within hearing
distance and were turned away. The con-
ference sermon, preached by Bishop Gallo
way of Mississippi, on Christian Fellow
ship" was the grandest pulpit effort ever
heard by the people Of Chattanooga 1t
was deep, learned and eloquent, with
ideas.
The sacrament Of the Lords supper was
then administered by the bishops to 10000
communicates.
The following greeting sent by James ".
Fitzgerald first president Of the league for
the Methodist Episcopal church from
Berne. Switzerland, was read by Bishop
Merrill, showing the world wide interest
attached to this meeting:
To the Epworth League Conference,
Chattanooga.-In the fullness Of my heart
/ send fraternal greeting from the leagues
of Peru, Chile Argentine Paraguay and
Brazil, in South America. and from those
of Germany. Switzerland. Italy Bulgaria,
Denmark, Sweden. Norway and Finland
in Europe. Y our fellow workers in all their
fields will be present with you in spirit,
uniting their prayers with yours for the
manifestation of the divine presence in
your midst and they indulge the hope that
when the next International conference
shall be held many Of them win be present
in person, to share in the labors and the
joys of the occurrence.
Grateful for the blessings that have at
tended tho efforts Of themselves and their
co-laborers in the past they give the pledge
Of more perfect devotion in the future to
the work which the Epworth League seems
to accomplish In all lands for God and hui
manity.
TO the greetings Of the ieaguers in the
countries named ! beg to add my own
y,,cer cordfoI parepuaI eaIutaffor