Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-12
LARGEST EVER HELD
That is What Secretary Daer Says Of
Present EEdeaYOr Convention.
GREAT OPEN-AIR SONG SERVICE.
Five Thousand voices and the
Marine Band - Nashville In

WASHINGTON, July n.-Secretary
Baer, of the Christian Endeavor conven-
ton. stated this morning that this gath
ering would outnumber in delegates that
of any convention ever held. il the regis
trations from within the State were not
counted. This he considered a fair basis
Of comparison. as States like Massa-
chusetts are exceedingly strong In Chris
tan Endeavor societies. The exact
figures OF the State delegations will be
made public next week at the close or
the convention.
Under the eastern shadows Of the Capt.
tcl to-day an unnumbered multitude
gathered TO take part in the open-air
service OF song and praise. All Keep
of the grass signs had been lowered,
and by o'clock streams OF people
coursed across the Capitol grounds ana
through the shrubbery, unmolested by
the police, toward places OF vantage on
the elevation. Only the space directly
beneath the central stairway on the
east front Of the Capitol was reserved.
Here a chorus Of 5000 voices was TO be
stationed, and before It was the Marine
Band.
The crowd packed themselves in snugly
around the space reserved for the chorus
IL presented a sea of faces extending 70
the distant statue of Washington, ana
spreading on each side far beyond inc
limits OF the Capitol. No speaker could
send his voice half way across TINS great
assemblage, and President clark rose al
, o'clock 10 announce that owing 10 the
absence of N-Postmaster-GenerA an
namaker the announced speaker, the
time would be given up entirely 10
service Of song and praise.
An hour of music followed WIZ the
Marine Band and the great chorus AFTER
mating. Mr.. Z S. Foster OF Wasnins
ton, who built up the cnorus an ui - -
II IN four sections for this OCCASION was
the conductor. The programme ended
with the hymn America III "i''N
audience Joined. crr,.
During the service President clark
presented the Christian citizenship pan
ner 10 the Endeavor union. OF CleVeialiu,
n FOR the best work during the year
in nromoting Christian citizenship ne
,hon read a brief ad lress by the KEY.
T V TYLER. of Cleveland. Syracuse, y.
Y has held this banner for the past
year. ., ,,,-r-rr>-cs
This evening two great meetings LOT
1,,irors we're held in Tents Nasnihs 70"
o,d Endeavor. Dr. Charles y. Dlcnin-
SON. of Boston, and Or. James ~ NM
of Salem. Mass, PRESIDED; -. ire
Addresses were made by I.ey y,,,,ii, -,
Wayland Hoyt, of Phlladeiph'' - ~
patterson. OF Toronto; Bishop Arne''' VI
Ohio, and others. A., .ao,,lor y
s,,rriea meeting. after which the En-
dsavorers will be free 10 attend churGh
accor1ing 10 their own desires. In inc
afternoon each denomination representa-
In the convention will hold a mlssiondis
rallv The Sabbath observance move
,nent will receive attention at 80 o clooA
IN a meeting at Central Hall and Evan
.'clsat Mills will address meeting Oh
men I'm Tent Washington al i'ey % cioC-,'
The deferred matter OF choosing lhe
eeat Of the 1898 convention was taken up
and settled at a prolonged session ol ln0
Poard OF Trustees of the united soclsles
today. A half dozen cities were IN com
netition for the honor. NashNihe ms
Zen in the lead from the start. but tne
,r,,stees were somewhat doubtful OF the
effeot Of race prejudice In the Soutn upon
tbe convention. White and colored dele-
g,+es IN the Christian EndeaVor cohNen-
,tore have always intermingled freely IN
~ cburches tents. and hotels OF cities
,,bere the conventions have been he'd'
r-bie has received full consideration from
tbe trustees. and decision was made
,ta thIs evening I'm favor or NashVilie'
trhe resolution embodying the decision
read as follows: o.,
with the heartiest love for and recoS-
rition Of. the desires and efforts, OF the
Christian Endeavor societies OF the other
connecting cities. the Board OF Trustees
announce that they have decided unani-
mously. after the most careful eonsidera-
tion. that the convention OF 1898 shall De
held In Nashville. Tenn, and lot thiS
main reason that no international Chris-
tlon Fndeavor Convention mas as yer
I'm hold in the southern portion OF the