The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-17
BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE
THOUSANDS OF CHURCH WORKERS
GATHERED AT MILWAUKEE,.
Topics Discussed at the Numerous
Meetings Held NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
in the Exposition Building.

ton of the delegates of the Il. Y. u. L..
convention. who crowded every incoming
boat and train yesterday and last night,
was thronging the streets soon after 6
o'clock this morning. At half past 6 they
were distributed in four of the Baptist
churches-the First Baptist, Tabernacle
Baptist, South Baptist and Second German
Baptist-and the capacity of every audi
ence room was taxed to accommodate those
who attended the sunrise prayer meetings.
TIL custom is an old one and marks near
ly every religious convention, but there is
not often the full attendance or the en-
thusiasm which characterized the meet
ings. They were conducted on practically
the same principle, an opening prayer,
reading of the Scriptures. with comment or
informal addresses. and the open meeting
following for prayers and expressions of
conservation.
Before 10 o'clock the auditorium Of the
Exposition Building began to fill. and was
we'll occupied when John II. Chapman, of
Chicago, president of the B.. Y. p. L., rose
to open the convention. The hall was a
pretty sight at the time of the opening.
The entire railing of the gallery was hung
with the green and yellow and red and blue
of the four great departments. with the
names oil the States placed closely above
them, which marked the ral.ying place Of
the various delegations. TIL flags of all
nations and welcoming flags are placed at
intervals, and the walls at each end are
hung with bunting over the scenery of
landscapes and castle towers which have
| stood in the hall since the bazaar of ma
lions. Lengths of canvas with black let
tering stretched at either end give welcome
to the guests, and a scripture quotation
is given place Immediately above the plat
form. The platform itself, where sat the
$50 members of the chorus, is gorgeously
draped with the four department colors.
Occupying the platform were the officers,
the board of managers and the execu-
tive board, Mayor R~auchenberger and the
speakers of the forenoon.
The opening of the convention by Presi-
dent Chapman was impressive and his adj
dress was a strong one. Tn opening adj
dress of the convention was delivered by
Rev. w. White. of the Tabernacle Baptist
Church. and was one of welcome on behalf
of the churches of Milwaukee. An address
of welcome on behalf of the Young Peoples
societies of Milwaukee was followed by r..
w. Drake. president of the LEGAL Il. Y. =.
l.. The response to the addresses of well
| come was made by Rev. e. NJ. Poteat, d..
D., of New Haven. Conn. Rev. Poteat
spoke in congratulatory terms of the well
| come accorded and preparations for their
entertainment. The discussion of the an
nual reports was prepared by Frank L.
Wilkins. D.. d., general secretary. of Chi
| cago. and by Frank Moody, of Milwaukee,
treasurer. The former was spirited and
was placed in the hands of the delegates,
informal discussion of the two reports fol-
lowing.
Twelve thousand people attended the
evening session. President John II. Chap
man. of Chicago. delivered his annual adj
dress reviewing the progress made by the
r. Y. p. u. and referring TO the future
f IL II Alsnt On ON
tinued growth of membership and the ex-
tension of the work of the Union through
out the world. Governor W. p. Upham
of the city. The Rev. E. w. White well
coined the visitors for the Milwaukee Bap-
fist churches and E. w. Drake in behalf
of the Milwaukee b. Y. p. u.
The Rev. f. NJ. Poteat, of New Haven.
responded for the board Of managers and
the delegates and told the milwaukee, peo-
pie that the visitors were all delighted to
be here. Music was furnished by the choir
of one thousand voices.
The on new members and
prayer meetings met at Lincoln Hall and
listened to an address upon An Ideal
Prayer Meeting" by the Rev: c. B. Allen.
! open parliament began, conducted by W.
H. Groat. of Chicago. The discussion was
e@ sTes aOnns Be- ps0p j. 81 8. t Rirt Geurc Of A Sd
Louis. presided over the meeting on tracts
and publications in Gr~and-avenue Method
CIR iHileos s. G.. read a a paper ON The
Gospel and Printers Ink. The open par
! lament was conducted by Rev. d. Il. Den
man. Of Hannibal. No. The topic was
How Can We Promote Good Reading in
the Church and Community, in the Homes,
in the Stores. in Hotels and Public Places,
in Hospitals. Jails. etc. %
The temperance and evangelism section
met at Calvary Presbyterian Church.
where Clarence r. Jordan. of Greenville.
S. c., presided. Rev. j. Williamson, of
Kansas City, opened the meeting with an
address upon Gospel Temperance vs.. Rum
Power" Rev. c. NJ. Carter. of Lafayette,
Ind, conducted the open parliament.
The sections on State and provincial
unions met in the Y. NJ. c.. A. building.
D. j. Davis, OF Sacramento. presided. Rev.
Howard Wayne Smith, Of Baltimore. spoke
on Baptist Federation: The Prophecy of
a New Denominational Future" The open
parliament was conducted by f.. S. Aber-
| nethy, OF Minneapolis, on How TO Do It"