The evening times., 1896-02-24

In less than five months host of Chris
tian Endeayorers win gather Mt tue ma
tton's capital on the occasion OF the Fif-
tecnth international convention. July S-13
are the dates. and as the time draws near,
the preparations which Washington En-
deayorers have been for months earnestly
engaged In making, are assuming very der-
mite shape.
1t is constantly expected that the attend
ance will be greater than at any previous
convention and estimates of 10000 ard
even more have been advanced
or prime importance and interest are the
arrangements for the meeting Of The conren-
ton The meeting places will be more nu-
merous than heretofore.
Three great tents. two of which were
used at the convention in Boston last sum
mef. a large hall and ten or more Of the
largest churches will constitute the prin-
acknowledgements md 1T certain tinmes meet
ings Will be held simultaneously In all.
Many other churches will be utilized for
early morning prayer meetings and other
smaller meetings.
combined seating capacity of more than
10000 will be available at any given mo-
ment during the convention. The three
great tents Will be pitched on the white
Lot" government reservation Just south
Of the Executive Mansion, the use of which,
together with the Washington Monument
grounds, was granted To the Committee OF
'96" by a joint resolution of Congress, re-
Gently approved by the President. ALI the
places of meeting are conveniently situated
and easily reached from ali points.
A GRAND cU0PJrS
1t is expected that the music will be even
more a feature OF the convention this year
than formerly. A chorus of four thousand
voices is now being formed, and will soon
begin the rehearsal of the convention songs
under competent direction.
The general plan of entertaining delegates
used iu Boston will be followed this year.
Those who do not secure hotel quarters
before coming to the city will. immediately
upon their arrival. be assigned quarters in
private homes and boarding houses located
as near as possible to the church headquar-
tiers. No hotel arrangements viii be made
by the entertainment committee for indi-
yiduaIs.
The Christian Endeavor movement. with
its two aud a half million members, Is n
growth OF only fifteen years The first
society was organized in February, 1881,
in the wiiliston Congregational Church
of Portland, Ne. by Rev. Francis Clark,
pastor of the church. The object WAS to
train the young people to participate in
church services and in practical Christian
work.
The idea was adopted by other pastors
and churches until today there are nearly
$4,000 Christian Endeavor Societies, in
more than 80 denominations. in almost
every Land on the globe. and comprising .
total membership of over 2-500. 600
Besides in the United States, there are
great unions of societies in England. Aus
ITALIA, Japan. China, and other lands where
annual conventions are held, to give empha-
sis to The movement, and enthusiasmand in
spiration 10 the members The first princi
pie for each individual member is loyalty 10
his own church, and no proseIyting is at
tempted or desired.
At THE CONVENTION.
About 1000, 900 of the membership Is to
be found In the United States. The annual
convention has been q great factor in this
marvellous growth.
The following statistics are interesting:
Convention of 1889, at Chicago, 5000
registered delegates; 1890, at st. Louis,
10000 in attendance; 1891. at Minneap-
oils. $4,000: 1892, at New York, $4,000;
1898. at Montreal, Worlds Fair year,
1900; 1894, at Cleveland. 40. 900; 1895,
at Boston, &c, eco.
The entire cost OF preparing for and en-
tertainins this convention iu this city will
be not less than $4,000. The Christian
Eudeavorers of Washington during the mast
year have subscribed almost $1,000. or
this amount nearly $1,000 has been paid In
cash.
They desire the citizens OF Washington
and the public generally to cooperate with
them in their efforts to raise the additional
sum OF $4,000 required to complete the
expense fund.
Several merchants and business men haze
already generously responded. and they
trust that Others will consider their appeal
worthy of prompt and favorable consid-
eTatiun.