The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-16

societies that are fast becoming sturdy branches
or the mother tree, such as the Junior, tier
mediate, the Mothers, and the Senior. he
spoke of the good these societies had accom-
plished in behalf of morality, Sunday observ.
ance saloon warfare, Christianity. and mission
work. for which Sl54, 022 had been given In the
past year.
The exercises at night were in several places
the most interesting being in the tents.
Tent Washington-Ex-P Postmaster General
John Wansmsker, Philadelphia, presiding
Mr.. P. p. Bilhorn, Chicago, Musical Director
devotional exercises by Rev. J. ]. Muir. Wash
| ington; addresses by Rev. Howard ii. Russell
Columbus o.; Mr. James Horsburgh, jr.. San
Francisco; and Rev. K. S. Macarthur, New
York.
Tent Observation-Disclosures General VIM. L.
Wilson. Washington, presiding; Mr.. Z. 0. Ex-
cell, Chicago. Musical Director; devotional ex-
ercises by Rev. Samuel J. Smith. Washington
addresses Try Rev. William T. Socum, jr., Colo
RADIO Springs; Mr.. C. u. Merritt, Oak land. Gal,
and President Booker Il. Washington, Tusk G.
gee Ala.
Tent Endeavor-President Francis E. Clark.
Boston, presiding; Mr.. Percy S. Foster. Wash
ngton, Musical Director; devotional exercises
by Rev. Sterling n. Brown, Washington; adj
dresses Ivy Hon. Neal Dow, Portland, Me-; Rev.
e. H. Meal, New York; Mr.. Roiia V. Watt
San francisco, and Rev. L. S. Henson, Chicago.
i THESE may be taken a sample of each day $
sessions
The tone of the addresses ut the general
meetings was almost political in character. In
! discussing Christian citizenship, the various
| speakers declared with emphasis that the true
way To reform political methods in this coun-
try is to induce the church members to take a
more active part in politics.
Alter tic adjournment of the meetings IN
The tents the crowds of residents and visitors
paradcu Pennsyl wanna avenue until midnight.
Many parties took possession of atreetcars. aud
rode around the city singing their songs and
enjoying themselves generally. In places
where delegations were lodged. the joyful En-
deaverers sat in front OF their boarding PLACES
and sang until after midnight. The city ut
\ night for the first time lon6eh though a
religious Convention was being held here.
Sunrise prayer meetings were another form
OF service during tho Convention, and they
were crowded.
Simultaneous meetings were held Friday
night IN the three great tents Central Hall.
Calvary Baptist Church. First Congregational
Church, Foundry NJ L. Church, New York
Avenue Preshy terrain Church, and First Pres
byterian Church. the topic in all being 'Eared
| 10 Serve"
The same genuine interest in the services
was ina'u irsted at each ga1hsrnE that has rhHr-
acicrized the many meetings that have already
been held.
The program in the tents varied slightly from
those IN the churches tbnt each vits-,.x. trnt,
and well repaid those whn were present TO fol.
low IL. The singing the same good quality
thc choirs have thus far rendered and thr ant
dresses all del ycTod bv M ~ III W id. TetiiI-
talon. The churches and lent, were well
hled by tie visiting r.slt gates aud residents oi
this city. aud no speaker had occnsion 10 com
plain Oi want OF attention.
The croanin. event of the Convention was
the great meeting al The east front tiet api-
tol. Nine persons out ff every ten " irr, were
asked the most strik ing festnre OF the Wash
lHgton Convention, aside from the great
rnurse OF people present, would reply: " line
Convention Chorus" Speakers there were
galore, OF National and international fame and
great drawing power, but they could spesai;
only to separate audiences. TIE great chorns
however was everywhere, starting line hymns
aud leading the multitude in sacred song. Each
anu every one of The sections remarkable
chorus IN Itself and when they all joined TO-
geiiier IN the open-air praise citing IL was AN
event long 10 lie RENE INFERRED. The LEADERS Of
the scciions were Parry Foster, f. o. Excel
and Il. J.. BiltOrn while G. ;. Clark WAS the
Chairman of the Music Committee.
AT The Capitol it WIS estimated not less than
$4,000 people were present, ami of this nnmber
fully one. half were members OF the Christian
Endeavor organization.
j he chorus numbered a. 900 voices under
the leadership of AIR Percy ) Foster. and was
accompanied by the Marine Band directed iy
Prof. Fancnlii, the leader. As many OF the
chorus as cDnid find room took up their psi \
lions upon the steps OF the east front of the
Capitol hut there was not room for all and the I
others gathered about the leaders stand, which
had been erected Immediately III front Of the
steps. The band occupied q stand little to
the left Of the leaders stand but first assen, bled
in the basement OF the Capitol. At a given
signal they marched forth aud were greeted |
with the Christian EnneaYor salute from the !
chorus and the thousands of Endea yorers 4
present.
When everything was in readiness Mr. Foster /
gave the signal to begin, and from the mighty /
chorus there arose a mighty wave of mcloiy 4
such as was probably never heard before in |
Washington The selections were all OF a pa 4
triotic character. most of the music being the !
wel-kuDwn patriotic airs. The words how |
ever, had been written for the Christian En- !
deayorers. In rendering "America," Leader !
Foster requested the entire assemhlage to unite.
and the hymn WAS sung by nearly $4,000 voices. !
At the conclusion of the singing President
Francis Clark made a brief address When the
services had been concluded the En1cavnrnrs
formed in line and, headed by the Marine
Band, marched from the Capitol up Pennsyl-
vania avenue to the Treasury bniding.
Sunday Gaict day for the Endeavorers.
There were the usual ear!y -morning PRAYER
meetings, atier WHICH iuere were SEnday-
morning services in the churches There were
no general meetings, however, but the EudeaY-
orers could be heard in the hotels aud houses
i'm which they located singing hymns
There were denominational rallies in the after
noon, acknowledgements meeting in Central
Hall, and AN evangelistic meeting for citizens
in Tent Washington.
The last big meetings were held Monday night |
Tuesday night there was hig bicycle parade
and by Ihe middle of the week all the En-
deavorers we're ont OF town.
The Committee of 80 managing the Con-
vention, consisted Of four general officers and
eight other members, each of these latter being
the head OF a particular committee. having
charge of a special line of the work of prepare
ton. BY this plan OF organization each sepa-
rate interest isgspreseuted III the Central Com
mttee; and, on the other hand, the Central
Committee is in fnll touch aud sympathy with
each branch Of the work. The general olfirers
w. ii. III. Smith, Chairman; Judge Arson
S. Taylor, Vice Chairman; Mr.. John ID. Nor
gan. Secretary, aud Dir. Percy s. Foster, Treas
urer. The eight Committees with their Chair.
men, who are the other members of the Com.
mittee of '96. AS follows: Finance, W T.
Robinson; Entertainment, Miles III. Shand
Hall. w. A. Ii. Church; Music, Charles S.
Clark; Reception, Rev. Edward Bagby; Print.
ing, Grant Leet; Press, John L. Sleman. ir.,
and Registration, w. f. Stowcll.