Evening star., 1896-01-20

true that Is yet alive. On the other hand
the foot lall game lasted two hours, dis
inquired several physiognomies, bruised
many more bodies and afforded amusement
fers 10000 people. and it was all over.
Doh't say that a Christian Endeavor con-
vention costs too much. But to the in
dividual." he said in conclusion, will come
the greatest blessing. A convention Is not
an occasion for lot Of goody-goody young
people to come together to wear their piet-
ism. but is marked by genuine fervor and
enthusiasm. Do not be chary of taking the
blessing. 1t is not for somebody else 1t is
not alone for the world. the nation, the
city; 1t is for each Individual The blessing
is large enough for all. Let US draw upon
tnese ines almighty stores Of grace ahd God
VIII give us all We want"
DIR. Hamlin ON the Benefits of Chris
tianfty.
Sunday afternoons session was just as
crowded as the other meetings have been,
and many persons had to stand through
the whole service. Rev. DR.. ]. J. Muir con-
Quoted the devotional exercises, and an ad-
dress on THE Benefits of Christianity
S&eif,Svidencing" Sc vas delivered by Rev.
DIR. Teunis s. Hamlin.
he said the recent outbreak Of hostilities
against foreign residents, especially the
missionaries. in China. and the massacre
peril Of foreigners in that empire. has
raised sharp discussion over the question
OF giving Christianity to the unenlightened
nations. Opinions Of travellers and the Sec
uisr press are given wide publicity to the
effect that missions are a failure and do
more harm than good. But the issue
raised, he said, Is one of fact not of opin-
lon. 1t is claimed, for example, that It is
impossible to convert the Chinese to Chris
tianity, yet there are today 5000 CHRIS
tians in China, and the unanimous testi-
mony OF the missionaries is that they are
generally true. faithful and self-denying.
rQviouyad nra hxy . ha Oh
1ections to missionary work in foreign
fields, and refuted them by facts and argu-
Inent and the testimony of competent and
disinterested witnesses. Christianity. he
said, may boldly accept the challenge to be
judged by results, and such results, too as
are capable Of verifcation by sight. Her
blessings are self-evidencing.
Closing COnsecration Services.
Upon the conclusion of Dr. Hamlin's adj
dress the conservation service was begun,
under the direction Of DIR. Clark. 1t was a
most impressive and solemn hour. After
a few earnest Introductory words. he asked
for perfect quiet, and requested all to en-
gage In silent prayer, and as the great au-
dience sat with bowed head, out of the
stiffness and quiet, as it seemed of the
very presence Of the spirit of God, came
the strains of Nearer, My God, to Thee"
very softly whispered by the great choir.
tioE, and it was as il a spell hung over the
whole assemblage. Dr. Clark called for in
divfdual testimonies, and from the choir,
the floor and the gallery persons arose and
repeated some verse Of Scripture, told of
some noble aim toward the accomplish
ment Of which they would strive, or an
noupced some motto which they purposed
to set as the guiding star of their lives.
repeated in concert their word Of conse-
Grafton or sang the verse of an appropriate
hymn.
Then. one by one, the different commit
te IS of all the societies were called upon to
rise, and were urged to fidelity and given a
consecrating verse. which the members re-
peated after DR.. Clark. The same impress
sive ceremony was gone over in the case
of the'officers Of the various societies, the
committee of '96, the choir, all Christians
in the audience, and all who wanted to be-
come such. those who wished for a bless
ing for some friend. and those who had
heavy burdens of their own to bear.
The congregation arose and sang the
stirring notes Of the%hymn, "All Hail the
Power of Jesus Name" and was dismissed
with the benediction, pronounced by Rev.
DR.. 1. w. Canter of the Mount Vernon
Place NJ. E. Church.
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolutions were unanimously adopted at
the closing service extending the thanks
of the convention to President Whitman,
rev. "dyidHU I1Oyt, rev. fEleF AlNSlle,
Rev. Francis E. Clark, Mr.. John Willis
Baer. Rev. Teunis S. Hamlin and all others
who so kindly and ably addressed the diff
ferent meetings; to the press. for it's mag
nificent reports and kindly spirit; to the
decoration committee, for the beautiful and
tasteful manner in which they fulfilled their
duty: to the Moody choir, the orchestra and
their director. Mr.. Percy S. Foster, for their
inspiring assistance; to the hall manage
ment, and especially Gov. Ordway, Mr.
Crane and Mr.. Wilkins, for their kindly and
effectual care; to the '96 ushers' commit
tee. for their efficient service; to the chair
man Of the hall committee, for the arrange
ment of seating and platform, and to all
others contributing in any way to the sue
cess of the convention. The esolutions
also favored the enactment of a law for
the District of Columbia which shall bring
about better observance of Sunday as
day of rest; expressed the deepest SYM
pathy for the suffering Armenians; indors-
ed the action Of the excise board in its
efforts to close all the saloons in a certain
section of the city, and pledged the men,
bers to an earnest endeavor to extend
Gods kingdom in the holding of an inter-
national convention in this city.