The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-16
GREAT CHRISTIAN HOST.
Endearor Convention af ,96 Long TO he
Remembered.

Endeavor Convention T '96 Long TO he
Remembered
The Christian Enfleavur Convention of '96
will pass into the history OF the organ ization
as the greatest of all Fully $4,000 strangers
visited Washington, aud at lesst two-thirds
were Endeavorers. The streets of the city
began TO look gay early in the week Flags
were flying every where, thousands of yards OF
bunting displayed. while hundreds of people
wearing gHy-cDOred badges wandered about
the streets, MARY of them taking in their Fl rst
Impressions of the National Capital.
Nothing conld speak better for he system
attic manner in which all The arrangements for
the Convention had been made than does the
ease with which every visitor was taken care
OF aud sent on to the church TO make his head
quarters during his stay in Washington and
10 the house which was TO be his temporary
home.
At both railroad stations active and capable
committees were Oh hand from early in the
morning until late at night so that every
Endeavorer was given a hearty welcome he
aligiIted from the train aud started on his way.
This being international Convention, "A
very interesting feature WAS the attendance of
delegates from Canada and England. and other
foreign countries. Two of the representatives
from England were ear y in the city. They
were Rev. William II. Towers of Manchester
and Rev. Joseph Brown Morgan, of Chester
The former is President of the Manchester
District Christian Endeavor Union and the
latter is President of the English NatiOna
Council Of Christian Endeavor Societies.
Scores nf delegates came on bicycles. They
enjoyed the use OF their wheels in Washington,
a Lhrre are betw so and 80 IA les of smooth
asphalted streets. The various points OF inter-
est in and about the city could he easily reached
the wheel. Various runs" 10 ba:tlefelds
and other points of interest within wheeling
distance of Washington were undertaken.
Threh ennrInous tents were erected ia the
White Lot ellipse. They were turned over TO
the Decorations The Attainment of one was
sample of that OF the others. In Tent Wash
ifTgt0n over the platform a solid canopy of red,
white, and blue streamers was fixed in place
At Line frontUf the stage proscenium arch was
formed with bunting, and over the arch placed
a red htreamer bearing the inscription For
Christ aud the Church." Over this arch and
surrounding it upon either side were lags of
Spain, Ireland. Switzerland. and Mexico
There were also medallion bearing the insig-
mn of the GhrIstian EHfieayOr organization
surrounded by American flags In front OF The
speakers platform, which extended beyond the
stage with a souBding-board in the rear were
gracefully entwined the flags of England and
America. At either side of the stand were the
colors OF Germany aud France. These flags
represented the different nations that form a
portion OF the great Christian Endeavur union.
The Convention opened July 9. General meet
ings the order, in the various places as
signed. In all the churches the evening be-
fore meetings were held.
In Tent Endeavor, on the White Lot Thurs
day tie famous evangelical singer, Ira ID.
Sankey, was introduced to lead the singing.
| Mr. Sankey's name had not appeared upon the
/ prdgram and his advent was tire sigral for tire
most enthusiastic applause. The Christian En-.
deavor method of appianding consists of waving
handkercieis and small flags in the air. Ii
was picturesque scene when from the enorm-
Gus audiences assembled for each of the general
meetings thousands of white handkerchief
and as many more banners of various colors
wonld suddenly appear. all fiutterinP sinal OF
approval to the speaker or singer who happened
/ 10 have aroused the enthusiasm. Commissioner
Ross delivered the welcome address.
The program for each of the general meet
/ ings nearly identical could be arranged.
! President Clarke spoke at each, delivering the
same address three different times Mr.. J. w.
| Baer, the General Secretary OF the organization,
also read his report an each of the tents, VIII lie
the song program at each was the same.
President Clarke chose for his text What
/ God hath Joined together let no man put
asnnder." lie said the platform of tho Chris
| iian Endeavor was work for Christ aud indie
! pendence of the individual and of each society
| in this work. In ID years, on this platform,
/ 10000 societies had been formed, $1,000 600
1 Endeayorers had been enrolled, of whom g T00,-
900 are to-day members. and 1000, 600 Others,
/ Endeavorers in all but name had been en-
rolled in purely denominatiopal societies Ten
/ million Endeavpr meetings had been held, and
/. 81 100000 given in beDeyoleGce through de-
nominational and church channels. He urged
Christian Endeay0rers TO continue the good
| work, and urged specially organization and
! evau2eltzation as Christian duties of En-
i deayorcr8.
General Secretary John Willis Baer said
I Pennsylvania still leads the list of Christian
4 Endeavor societies, 1913. The next in order
i were New York, 2,g7l; Ohio, 2,3ll; Ontario
4 l,SI7; Illinois ], 500; Indiana ,352 and Iowa
l,3D2. These hgureA he said. did not include