The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-20
AN EARLYSTART
Made by Washington Endeavorers For
the Convention In July.
AT LEAST 60, 900 DELEGATES
Have Announced Intentions Of
Being Present.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The fourth an-
nual convention OF the local Christian
Endeavor union closed yesterday afternoon
with an over6owing mass meeting in Cen.
tral hall. Enthusiasm has run high dur.
ing the past few days, and Washingto.
mans look upon the event as but n forecast
OF the international convention to be held
here in July next. Every society In the
district was represented at the sessions,
and IA very large number Of the city's
clergymen occupied platform seats.
The first meeting was held Friday even.
ing. and included an address by President
B. l.. Whitman OF Columbian university on
"The Kingdom Ideal--an Obligation"
and also n stirring talk by Rev. Wayland
Hoyt, ID. OF Philadelphia on the sub
ject "Soul Winning"
Saturdays sessions opened with an early
morning prayer In the First Congreg@
tional church, which was attended 10y u
large number. In the afternoon, at the
same place, tho Juniors held an inspiring
service Rev Peter Ainslee of Baltimore
and Rev. Francis E. Clark, ID, deliv.
cred short addresses
by far lhe most enthusiastic meeting,
however. was the rally OF the international
convention committees held Saturday
evening The meeting was addressed by
President Clark and Secretary Baer.
Strong resolutions on the Armenian ques'
tion the saloon, Sabbath observance, ETC..
We're adopted.
The progress reported by the commit
tee OF '96" indicates that the July inter
national convention will reach the high
water mark. The vast committees, com.
posed OF 5000 persons, have already begun
work. The organization Is complete and
very soon they will undertake tho detail
work OF canvassing the city for accommo
dations and making the assignments Of
churches. Tho hall committee have made
contracts for the erection OF three mann
moth tents.
Ample Facilities For Next Convention.
A joint resolution was recently intro.
duced in the senate and house, the purport
OF which Is to grant the society permis.
sion TO use the large reservation in the
rear OF the executive mansion for the pur.
pose Of the convention, and here the tents
will be pitched. The seating capacity OF
these tents will be 10 900 each, and in ad.
dition to the the tents arrangements will
be made TO conduct overflow and stimuli.
taueous meetings in dozen churches
conveniently located.
The music will be led by n chorus com
posed Of 5000 voices, which will include
the entire membership of the famous
Moody choir This chorus will soon bo
divided into sections and rchearsing will
commence. Already several of the largest
hotels have been engaged by state delega.
tions as headquarters, and the committee
are daily in receipt OF letters requesting as
signments for large numbers. Besides
having a hotel headquarters, each state
will have a headquarters at one Of the
city churches.
The churches will be kept open during
the entire convention, and here the dele.
gates will receive their mail and find in
many ways home comforts. The commit
tee expect that, ut the lowest calculation,
$4,000 delegates will be registered. Recent
indications are that the nnmber will DO
nearer 5000.