The evening times., 1896-07-09
WHAT DELEGATES DISCUSS
Leading Questions Will Not Be
Treated by Endeav0rers.
SAVED FOR LOCAL UNIONS
The Convention More In the Nature
of an Immense Mass Meeting.
Live Moral und Social Issues Con
sidered by the Different States.
Ministers on Bicycle Riding.


There has been some surprise among
those not thoroughly familiar with Chris
tian Endeavor methods that more atteH-
ton is not paid in the program OF the con-
vcntion 10 live moral and social issues.
consideration of even a part OF the large
amount OF literature put forth by the
society shows that these questions are
not much brought up at the great ma
ional gatherings, because they are re-
sarded as belonging particularly TO the
work of the local unions.
The Christian Endeavor movement treats
such matters only as part OF its pur-
pose TO upift spirituality in the churches,
break down some OF the nnatural bar
riers that st.ll stand between the sects OF
the followers OF Christ, and give room for
the younger elements OF the churches to put
forth their activities and come into closer
communion with their Divine Master.
A talk with delegates from various
parts OF the country furnished some idea
Of what is being done locally in different
sections with the ordinary questions OF
neral and social life that are engaging
the attention OF men in general. Particu-
larly the question whether bicycle riding
is n asource of immortality was inquiredinto.
Rev. /. j. wilmarth OF Vienna. n. j.,
said I'VE do nothing, OF course, with such
matters in the meeting here. 1t is not
held with a view to handling anytbing Of
the kind. Bat in the local unions in our
part OF the State they are taken up with
good deal OF vigor. We have our good
citizenship committee, and it deals with
all matters hat look to better government.
POLITICS CAREFULLY ELIMINATED.
There is nothing political and no look
ing to any political party whatever. We
favor temperance and are against the sa-
!Oon. the horse race and the gambling
house OF whatever kind. In every way we
eau we meet these evils. We take the prob
ems up in the town and county societies
and do all in our power TO advance the
cause OF the Master in those lines. or
course there is more activity in one society
than another in this regard, but New Jer-
sey is paying a good deal OF attention to
such problems
I'VE have not discussed very much the
question OF The moral effects OF bicycle
riding. but the feeling is for moderation
in the use OF the wheel as in everything
else. I think the use of the bicycle can be
pernicious, but have not noticed any alarm
ing evil of the kind in my section. think
you viii find that opinions in regard to 1t
differ a good deal, according Us the persons
holding them do or do not ride"
Mr. d. W Morrow of Omaha, who came
here especially to try to carry the conven-
ton IN 1898 to that city, was formerly q
department employe in Washington, and
Is graduate of Georgetown Law School.
He is prosperous attorney in Omaha in
spite of the hard times. He said:
AN IMMENSE MASS MEETING.
"The convention is more in the nature
of an immense mass meeting. Not single
vote is taken at any time upon anything.
Everything requiring q decision is handled
by the United Society.
THE United Society, with a member
ship of between four and five hundred,
acts principally through its trustees. They
have tile decision as to the meeting place
and it is TO them We have been appealing
for Omaha. The convention has been in
nearly all sections east of the Mississippi:
goes next year to San Francisco; SO We We
of the Middle West think il ought TO come
to US the year after. Louisville claims IL
for the South, as never having becn in that
part of the country, but We claim that
Washington is the South.
'Our societies at home work for every
kind OF moral and social Improvement. We
take up the most important questions lust
as they interest other People and keep in
touch with mankind. That is one purpose
of our existence as society. But we sub
ordinate all this to the promotion of the
Christian spirit among our members. Moth
ing in the Christian Endeavor movement
can take the place of that.
I'VE are fighting the saloon as one Of
the giant evils of our time, but We do not
take up prohibition. We keep carefully out
of all political entangleMents"
OPPOSED TO CENTURY RUNS.
Rev. William RAIDER of the Third Con-
gregaticnBl Church in San Francisco was
happy over the choice of that city as the
meeting place next year. He was president
for one year of the Institute of Applied
Christianity which sprung up at Oakland,
Cal, as II result of DIR. George Herron's
visit to the Pacific coast three years ago.
He was interested in the industrial army
movement that came from California to
Join COSey'S army ana was thereby IA
miar with the thoughts and purposes of
the agitators on the Pacific coast.
In regard to reform work in the Chris
tan Endeavor societies he said:
"Yes; we engage very actively in Cal.
fornia in movements that directly affect
the social we'll being. We try to reach all
classes. When was in Oakland we made
a great fight against the saloons and lost
by one vote. We look after Sunday OBJ
servance nd are now trying to secure Sun
day closing. The good citizenship work
is made more of outside OF San Francisco
at San Jose, Fresno. Los Angeles and the
like. 1t gives much time to efforts to
put good men in municipal offices.
1.-The bicycle is good or tad, according
20 the persons who ride it. think its ex-
cessive use is an injury, and am opposed
20 century rides. long excursions into the
country and that sort of thing. as an un-
wise use of time and dangerous to good
morals. Sunday riding, especially, I think
is wrong il it takes the riGers away from
religious duties"
ALMOST ELECTROCUTED.