The evening times., 1896-05-02
MIGHTY CHORUS OF SINGERS
Rehearsal of Four Sections of the
Christian Endeavorers.
Power of Music as An Evangelizing
Factor in the Progress Of
Religion.

When the strains OF that grand. inspir-
ing hymn, Onward. Christian Soldiers,
rises from the throatS OF the tens or
thousands OF Christian Endeayorers who
will gather at the great convention in this
CITY In July aud the echo comes back in the
words Like a Mighty Army. Moves the
Church of Cod a mighty influence for
good will have st arted on its erraud.
The music OF The convention Will, even
more than ever before, be prominent
feature OF this great gathering. The pow
or of music as an evaugeliZing factor Will
no doubt be fully demonstrated before the
sessions of the convention have closed.
Many a lonely heart Will brighten up and
eaten a little OF the earnest enthusiasm
which always permeates International
Christ ian Eudeavor conventions, and which
will so of en- be voiced durinGs the meetings
i'll the words OF the favorite convention
hymn There Is Sunshine in My Soul To-
day."
In order however, that the music or
the convention may be productive or tne
greatest results, there is now being drilled
a chorus of 1000 voices 10 assist in the
singing of the large audiences of 10000
This 1000 voice chorus, which has been
divided into four sections, each NUMBER
ing about 1000 singers, held four sec
tional rchea rsals last evening.
Section A. under the leadership OF Dr.
F. ]. woodman, held their rehearsal at
the Metropolitan Presbyterian Church, cor
ner of Fourth and b streets southeast. The
work of this section last evening was char
acteriZed by large amount of earnest
ness and before the evening was over the
section had taken an advance step In
their work.
Section BIS rehearsal at the First Pres
byterian Church was very well attended
IanI Iarr m
S Foster. with Mrs. DR.. 4. ]. Brown at the
piano, this section accomplished much more
than one would expect at just the second
rehearsal of this section. MT. Foster
called attention TO the fact that section ID
had been quoted as being the best yet"
The spirit of friendly rivalry thus sug-
gested resulted i'll the members OF section
devoting themselves during the evening
TO the end that they might he thus quoted.
That they succeeded was evident to anyone
who attended their rehearsal last evening.
Section c. at the Vermont Avenue Chris
tian Church. held a most enthusiastic ana
largely attended rehearsal. Mr. c. s.
Clark. chairman of the 90 music committee,
was their director. with Mr.. Harry u. Him.
ball at the piano. The results obtained were
most gratifying. The singing was or high
order, and the chorus picked up the various
points suggested by the leader. with unu-
sual aptitude.
Section d. which includes many of the
suburban singers. was well represented at
Foundry NJ. f. Church, the rehearsal being
in charge of Mr.. j. H. Hunter, with Miss
Power at the organ. This is the section
which has won for itself such an enviabe
reputation. The work of the other sections
last evening, however. demonstrated that
they must exert their best efforts to retain
their good name.
1t was announced at each place that the
rehear rsal of the chorus by sections would
continue each Friday night until further
notice in places TO be announced.
The finance and auxiliary finance COM
mittees held a meeting last evening at the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Mr.. W. b. Robson, chairman of the SO
finance committee, presided. and was glad
to announce that the business mems fund
to defray the expenses of the convention
had passed the $4,000 mark. The COM
mittee outlined further plans for canvass