Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-08
ON TO WASHINGTON.
This Soon to Be the Cry Of tho Chris.
tian EndeaTof Army.
YOUNG PEOPLE AsrIR.
Immense Scale ON which Prepare
lions Are Being Cenducted-Choir
of 1000 voices-side Trip to Rich
m0nd . Feature.


Very little has as yet been said In the
local papers about a great event TO occur
In Washington this summer, and from
that little nothing in regard to the I'M
mense number OF visitors who will drop
In upon Richmond for a stay could De
cleaned.
on July 9Th, during the heat OF the
summer-a summer which promises to DO
rather severe In that respect. II the pro-
phets are to be believed-there VIII
gather In that great capital city. along
the banks OF the silvery Potomac. a null
titude rare In its immensely. devoted In
its purpose, enthusiastic IN its work, and
powerful In It's influence.
One hundred thousand Is the number
prophesied to then and there meet, and
II we can judge from the great Boston,
49," that number will be exceeded.
Thousands of consecrated workers in the
national capital have been devotediy
working for weeks and months for the
accomplishment OF the purpose men
toned above--"Washington for Christ
and, from the chairman OF the Executive
Committee down to the lowliest guide,
or soprano or baritone In the great choir,
all are inspired to but one end--to do
their best-and let others judge of that
best In their own time.
A LARGE CHOIR
For weeks, as we have said. choir
Of 400 men, women, boys, and girls.
among them the finest and most noted
Gospel singers OF the District, have gath
cred in small and large bodies TO sing
over In unison the great hymns OF praise
TO be included I'm the programme Of
the fve-days convention.
There are ORGANIZED committees, formed
months ago. numbering in all 5000 per-
sons, their purposes ernbodying every
conceivable detail that can be arranged
for the comfort OF the delegates and sue
cess of the meetings.
Speakers from the world over will be
there-from the cannabahstic and heath
en- shores Of Africa; from the blood
bespattered shores Of India: from the
thlckly-settled inlands OF China; from
the hopeful provinces Of Japan; from the
mission stations In far-off Turkey; from
the cold, bleak, and tyrannical airs OF
Russia-yea, from every country on the
earth, almost, will the Christian orators
gather. TO join In the praise OF God.
And the ties that thus bind these breth-
rem in Christ: that thus bind them In
international fellowship and communion,
and keep them close to each other, even
In temporal affairs-the great tie-is the
Young Peoples Society Of Christian En-
deavor: or more latterly, the Worlds
Christian Endeavor Union, on whose rolls
are contained the names Of over 100000
followers Of Christ. organized into more
than 5000 auxillaries, and encirclIng the
entire globe. Only recently, during the
height Of the horrible massacres n soci-
ETY. OF Christian Endeavor was formed
In Merslne, one OF the threatened cities
Of Turkey.
ORIGINATED IN PORTLAND.
On a lofty hill, overlooking the briny
shores which catch the waves Of the
great Atlantic, in the once-famous city
Of Portland. Me-, stands the unique
and beautiful edifice of Williston Congre-
gatlonal church. in which, fifteen years
ago last month. was born the first
Young Peoples Society of Christian En-
deavor. which event has now made the
church famous the world around. The
second congregation to see It's value and
adopt society was the First church
Of Newburyport. Mass. OF which Rev.
c. p. Mills is the pastor. Only gradually
at first 1t grew, but In late years the adj
vance has been rapid In the extreme.
and the result win soon be seen this year
as we'll elsewhere as in Washington.
For fifteen years this organization has
met annually in some great city of North
America, to give voice to their views.
to bind themselves by indestructible ties
OF love, and offer their thanksgiving
hymns to Him whose throne IS in
Heaven. Year by year the number has
increased and multiplied: city after city
has witnessed their growing activity and
accomplishments until now, in this year
Of our Lord. 1895. their ranks form the
most complete organization known to
mankind.
Last year the convention was held in
Boston. Mass, and the number OF dele
gates reached 5000. The city was yir-
tually given up to the Endeavorers and
special decorations and privileges were
prepared and accorded them. The main
convention hall the Mechanics HalD
seated 10000 with standing room for 2,oOo
or 5000 more, and on every occasion OF
the meetings was packed TO the doors,
and on several times thousands were
turned aside. Two great tents, seating
10000 each, were also used, and filled
always
The entire convention OF 1896 at Wash
ington is in the hands OF the Commit
tee of 1885," composed OF Messrs. W. II.
II. Smith (chainman), Arson s. Taylor,
John d. Morgan, Percy s. Foster. w. b.
Robson, Miles NJ. Shand, w. A. III.
Church. Rev. II. r. Bagby, Charles s.
Clark, W. F. Stowell. Grant Leet, and
John B. Sleman, Jr. This committee has
been In active preparation for many
months. and has its headquarters at 1425
New York avenue. where the members
meet every evening to discuss the days
work. Under this body are all the lesser
committees, making quite an army for
them to control to the best advantage.
The Finance Committee has collected a
great deal Of money, given by subscrip-
ton, to be used for current expenses
decorating, entertaining, ETC.. etc.
THE CONVENTION CITY.
Washington Is imirably adapted to the
purposes OF such a convention. Within
q very small radius are located the hotels.
boarding houses many places of public
interest, and most of the large churches.
Good street-railway facilities place all
parts of the city in easy reach Of these
points, and no delegation will be located
at any considerable distance from the
great centres Of interest
Probably no city In the land contains
more Of historic and, general interest
than does the nations capital, and many
opportunities for instructive and profit
able observation will be afforded after the
convention has closed. and to some ex-
tent during the days Of the convention.
Il being very probable that one after
noon will be devoted to visiting various
points Of interest In and about the city.
All classes OF citizens are entering very
heartily into the preparations, and the
visitors are assured q most cordial well
come at the homo OF the nation next
July.
NEETIN1-pI.lCEQ