Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-17
GREAT CONVENTION.
Preparations We'll In Hand for the Vast
ASssmblase Of Christians.
WHOLE OF WASHINGTON AROUSED
The District of Columbia Christian
Endeavorers VIII Have to Provide
for Fully One Hundred Thousand
Delegates.

great work and expense is required from
q city that undertakes the responsibility
of providing for an annual convention
OF the Worlds Christian Endoavor Union
and the Young Peoples Society Of Chris
tan Endeavor Of America. At the loca-
ton mentioned, the large building Of
Messrs. Sanders G. Stayman, are the head
quarters OF the committee OF 1886. COM
posed OF twelve OF the most active and
consecrated citizens and Endeayorers of
the District OF Columbia, which has in
caro- tho entire arrangements OF the
Fifteenth International Convention, July
S-l3, 1896. which means the entertainment
Of 10000 strangers
With the assistance Of clerks. the com
mittee. which meets each weekday at
the headquarters. has most heroically
met the task, and, looking at the full
plans and programme that have been
mapped out, one can see how wei their
duty has thus far been performed. The
District OF Columbia Christian Endeavorer
Is the organ OF the Young Peoples So
ciety OF Christian Endeavor Of the ma
fional capital, and each month thousands
mailed throughout the country free Of
charge, containing full reports Of the
preparations made up to date
EVENTS OF HISTORY.
No one but an Endeavorer who has
attended one or more Of these interna-
tional conventions can have the least
correct idea Of their magnitude and bene-
fetal effect They are, indeed, events in
the nations history. Boston, 49," far
ecpsed all previous assemblages. both
in numbers and results. The whole State
Of Massachusetts co-operated with the
Boston young people TO make the occa-
sion a most glorious event. and no
amount Of money or labor was spared TO
accomplish the greatest good.
Comparing the field from which the
Boston convention had to draw funds and
workers Qncluding the state Of Massa-
chusetts) with the field open to the Dis
trict Of Columbia Endeavorers. who have
no Commonwealth from which to solicit
aid In any way, there IS a marked
difference. Of course. And then, Wash
ington has not half the population OF
Boston.
with that fact before them, the com
mittee Of 96 has proceeded with even
greater determination and confidence than
otherwise would have been the case, and
now tueSe BtuliNAuti udNt sun
cred around them IN an eX-
OF the Understanding Christians
Qrom every denomination) TO be
found in the whole world. Stopping at no
obstruction or barrier, they push them
aside. and pass on with a degree Of earn
estness bordering on desperation.
ALMOST VIRGINIA. 1896"
In view of the fact that the District of
Columbia was once a part of the states
of Virginia aud Maryland, and its
proximity TO their borders the Endeav-
orers of the two States are displaying
quite a bit OF interest IN the preparations
OF the Washington folk. and have, in
deed rendered some little assistance, and
offered their services for whatever duty
they may be needed. Virginia, especially
should be alive 10 preserve her fair name
for hospitality, and should, and Will, show
activity in pointing out 10 the thousands
who viii visit her shores The many varied
historical sights. For the benefit Of the
5000 or 1900 Endeavorers in the State OF
Virginia, and the other young Christians
OF every denomination who VIII assist In
entertaining the visitors, the Dspatcf
gives below most complete review oil
the plans and programme for the grandest
convention OF civilized and Christian peo-
pie ever held on the globe:
The choir. which IS being trained 10y
sections. each section under a oompeten
leader numbers 1000 voices and, from al
reports IN the Washington papers, II 4
the finest body OF Gospel singers evel
gotten together for any similar occasion
known.
The Post says: "That the members o
the chorus mean to do their work as wei
a. they are able has been shown by tho.
enthusiasm and earnestness In attending
fehearsals." Mr.. Percy S. Foster, well
known In Richmond as the leader of IN
Washington Moody choir, whose visit 1
Richmond few years since was one o
great pleasure and benefit. viii be tn
leader Of the main choir during the con
vention.
THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.
At a meeting Of the Executive Commit
tee OF tho District Union, on May Attn
each member OF the Committee OF l&'
made two-mlnute statement of his wor
Tor the month just past The Financ
Committee's report read by Mr.. Foster
showed that two fifths OF the necessar
funds had then been subscribed Of tn
g25OO0 fund for convention expenses. IN
citizens OF Washington and vicinity ar
expected TO contribute towards this, SloO0
and the Endeavorers $4,000. The fund
collected are on deposit at interest.
The Printing Committee reported tina
$1,000 had been expended for stationery
postage etc, used by the Committee {
1896, and that II was now occupied wit
q souvenir map on the order or the on
distributed for the Boston gathering,
be printed in five or six different colori
the expense of which, for 10000 map
Is TO be borne by the Estey Organ Con
pany. as last year.
THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE
The Entertainment Committee reporte
no In Hpen
Tor the United Society for Texas. indiana
Massachusetts. Ohio. New Jersey, 5
Louis Illinois. Iowa, Pennsylvania, Phili
delphia Connecticut, Tennessee, Vernon
New Hampshire. Rhode Island, Mimi
sofa, Arkansas, West Virginia, hei
lucky, and Delaware. Attention was b.
ang given to procuring homes for Il
great mass Of delegates who would M
wish to be IN hotels. and for this purpos
the city had been distrieted, and con
petent man placed in charge of eac
Under him the Auxiliary Entertainmel
Committee was TO work In canvass
tho city. The work was already We
under way in some OF the districts.
TRIPS TO HISTORIC GROUNDS.
The Bicycle Committee has planned,
Is said. for early morning runs TO Il
Soldiers Home. and Brghtwood for tv
mornings. Friday and Monday; also 4
an afternoon run over the Noodle
Loughboro'. and Conduit roads. and {
Saturday afternoon about o'clock a n
20 Arlington and Fort Meyer. a favorah
response to a request for a special ca
airy drill has been made 10 the committt
and would be given at $50 Y. NJ. Satu
day OF the first week OF the conventio
In view OF all these runs the BicyC
Committee has obtained the signatures
.tnOse who rent wheels. giving the nuI
her thew would prohally have aNaflaf