The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-10-02
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS.
Find Hearty Welcome and Hold Prof
table Convention in Owosso.

Find Hearty Welcome and Hold Prof
table Convention in Owosso.
The first annual convention of the fifth
district, Michigan Christian Endeavor Union
began its three days session at the First
Congregational church, Wednesday even
ing at 1880. During the day a number OF
delegates were met at the trains by the re-
ception committee and the evening trains
brought many more. Every delegate bios
somed out with neat souvenir OF red rib
bon. from which hangs pretty G. i.
monogram of celluloid, bearing the society's
motto, "For Christ and the Church" Ac-
commodations were assigned by Sec'y Will
Lovett, who had a large list Of Owosso
homes at his command.
The reception room with its handsome
mantel and chandelier were tastily decorat-
ed with smilax, while the auditorium had
four strands of red and white bunting hang
ing from the dome to the corner of the
room. Handsome flags adorning the organ
and church, gave the meeting patriotic
hue, while the rostrum was laden with palms
and ferns. In spite of the pouring rain a
good sized audience was present. The
mixed choir of forty voices with Mrs. Herb
ert Lyon at the organ, lead in an inspiring
manner the congregational singing of "Send
The Light" and other Endeavor hymns.
Roy. j. G. Cromer, in his address of well
come, said that he had a delightful as well
as responsible task, that of speaking under
commission for the people of Owosso. We
are proud of her factories where we make
everything, we are ambitious in spite of
hard times, we are proud of our churches
and schools, and there were hundreds OF
warm, sympathetic hearts who would well
come them to their homes. The people ex-
pected from this meeting to gain an increase
of the spirit of unity and like Nelson's Of
ficers make up their differences and fight
the common enemy.
Rev. Metcalf was called on by Pres.
Ernest B. Allen, of Lansing, 10 respond for
the outside delegates. He said they were
glad to hear and highly appreciated the
courtesy that had been shown them. To-
day is one of revised versions. The young
people of this society are endeavoring to
translate the old, sweet story unto the terms
of modern, every day life. 1t was no hui
man theory or philosophy they dealt with,
but with life itself.
The Aeolin Quartet, composed of Messrs.
Reynolds, Hoyt, Jacobs and Sullivan, sang
an excellent arrangement of ''Nearer, My
God to Thee"
Then followed greetings from local young
peoples societies. Emma Martin, in be-
half of the Methodist Epwerth League,
gave a hearty welcome from that society
and bespoke spirit of unity. Harry Cros-
by spoke for the Baptist Young Peoples
Union and wished that the spirit of CO.
operation might be increased, as they were
all working for the same high object.
Egene Van Ness, speaking for the Y. M.
G. A., spoke for this year as being re-
markable one for all kinds of conventions,
but he was thankful to address conven-
tion whose object was higher than gold
or silver. Owosso needs the influence Of
this convention and in welcoming them he
trusted all might get such vision of the
Master as would enable us to work better
on earth.
Secretary Walter e. Oxtoby, of Ionia,
whose efficiency Pres. Allen highly praised,
was unable to be present on account of ex-
aminations at the University, aud his very
carefully prepared report for the past six
months was read by Miss Anderson, of
Eaton Rapids.
From this report we learn that the six counties
Of Tonia, Ingham Eaton, Shiawassee, Clinton
and Livingston, composing the fifth district,
have county organizations Six months ago
there was total membership of 72 young peo.
pies societies with 3034 members and 80 junior
societies with 1923 members, O grand total of
1856 in the district. Today the number Of soci-
eties is 81 young peoples and 81 junior societies
"a gain of 20 societies and a total district mem
bership of 5177 gain Of OIL members. Shia-
wassee county has gained one new society, and
stands fourth in number of societies.
Fifty OF the 81 senior societies are without
junior societies and the secretary urges that
these junior societies be more generally estab
lished. In the twelve districts OF the state the
fifth district stands third, although having only
six countless while the leaders have nine and
ten, but with renewed effort it may be first.
Following the secretary's report, Mrs. r. e.
Travis and H. Augustine Smith rendered fine
duet, wherefore is thy soul cast DOWN.
Rev. Ernest B. Allen, the talented pastor of
the North Lansing Congregational church, and
the popular president of the district, gave an
able address on Spiritual Power"
abide with Me-" sung by the Holian Quar-
tet, and gospel singing by the audience closed
the evening session.
w. Howard Moore of Lansing, was appointed
secretary pro tenn.
The sunrise prayer meeting Wednesday, was
led by II. Eugene Loomis, OF Lansing, and was
we'll attended. At $3.50 the morning meeting
was opened with devotional exercises, and de-
voted to the general topic, "Society Machine.
ry."
Some good points in regard to the business
meetinoa were brought out While the nastor