Evening star., 1896-06-26
EPWORTH LEAGUERS
Their Grand Rally at Harrisburg This
Week.
Baltimore Being Urged for the Next
Meeting-EROrt to Have BIZ
ennial Gatherings.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

| HARRISBURG,Pa., June 25.-The Wash
| ington party to the Epworth League con-
vention was the first large delegation to
| arrive in Harrisburg. The arrangements
made by the local committee for assign
| ing the delegates were excellent. The
visitors, and especially those from the ma
tional capital, seem greatly pleased with
the homes to which they have been as
signed. The warm and cordial hospitality
| which is being shown by the citizens Of
Harrisburg Is adding greatly to the pleas
| ure of the convention. The Washington
visitors seem to have Jared extremely well.
Rev. w. II. Richardson. pastor of Cor
such Church, and Secretary Frank T. Is
rael contributed largely to the pleasure
| of the trip from Washington to Harrisburg
| by their vivacity and general good ma
ture
The usual caucus Of delegates was held
alter leaving Baltimore. President Tasken
presided. 1t was decided to support the
Baltimore delegation in the contest for the
honor of holding the next convention. The
same action was taken several months ago
| by the board of control Of the Washington
| District Epworth League. There seems to
| be no doubt at this time that Baltimore Will
| lie successful in the race. 1t is understood,
however, that the board of control Of the
convention, at a meeting held yesterday,
decided to recommend to the body that the
| after. instead of annually, as is the custom
at present 1t is hardly probable however,
that this action will be ratified.
The meeting of Washington delegates
on nominations. E. w. Williams for that
| on resolutions, and Rev. II. Z. Leech for
that on credentials. 1t was also determined
| to suggest for election the following: p.
W.Williams treasurer: Miss F.stelle Crump,
| junior league superintendent.
| One of the first familiar faces seen by the
Washington visitors was that OF the popu-
| lar ex-president, William Burdette Mathews.
The large auditorium of Grace Church
was packed to overflowing at the opening
of the convention at o'clock last evening
The exercises were in the nature of well
come reception to the visitors, and were
presided over by President j.. c. Foster.
An eloquent address of welcome. on be-
half OF tine city of Harrisburg, was deliver
ed by Mr. John ID. Patterson. mayor or
the city. On behalf of the churches Of the
city the address was delivered by Rev. b.
F. Dimmick, DID,, pastor of Grace Church.
Bishop Cyrus ID. Foss OF Philadelphia led
| the devotional exercises. He also conduct
ed the communion service at o'clock this
morning. The o'clock prayer meeting was
| in charge Of Rev. F.. b. Patterson, d. d.
The morning session was devoted largely
| to the department of spiritual work. Adj
dresses We're made on this phase by Rev.
o. NJ. Boswell and Rev. Madison Swadener
of Cincinnati. Ohio. A conference was in
charge of VIM. B. Mathews. who made
conference was participated In by F. T.
Israel. II. o. Hine, E. w. Williams, all of
Washington.
At the afternoon session the annual re-
ports of the president, the secretary, treas
urer and the junior superin tendent Rev.
II. B. Leech We're presented. All evidenced
a rema rb Bile increase In the membership
Of the organization during the year
The department of mercy and help was
ably presented by Miss Laura o. Davis of
Baltimore and others. One and one-half
hours were devoted to the interests of the
juniors. A most interesting feature was
the exhibition by the Junior Leaguers of
this city.
Delegates Still Pouring In.
Delegates have been arriving by every
train. there are now almost l 600 in the
| city, and more are expected. The regular
business of the convention was taken up
| this morning. The election of officers has
been made the order of the day for pm
| this afternoon. 1t looks at present as If
! Rev. Mr.. W. r. Strickler, pastor Of Hamline
| Church, will be placed upon the board of
| control. Prof. E. c. Foster. president; F.
| II. Jacobs, Prof. H. E. V. Porter, Rev. NJ
J. Naylor, Roland E. Remley, secretary
| Rev r. A. Denton, Wheeling, w. Va, and
| Rev. II. B. Leech of Washington, mem
| bers Of the board of control, are the guests
| of Gov Hastings, at the executive mansion
| When Mr.. VIM. 2. Mathews stepped upon
| the platform he was greeted with great
applause. He congratulated the conven-
| tion upon its great success. and conducted
| his portion Of the program admirably.
| The Washington delegation is proud
of him. The time for speeches has been
| limited to three minutes. Judge Moulton
| and F. E Tasker took prominent parts in
| the discussion this morning.
The caucus of the Baltimore conference
| delegates held at 1 80 today recommends
| the following names to the convention
| President. F. E. Tasker; third vice presi-
X Moore. rGSnnn1inO
| tary, H. o. Hfne; treasurer. E. w. Will
| Jams: superintendent junior league. H. B.
| Leech. The convention will be asked to
| indorse the movement which has been
| started to try to secure for Washington
| the third international conference of the
Epworth League in $780,