The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-02

At many OF the local NJ. f. churches
last night the regular services were
dispensed wlth,and instead reports were
heard from the delegates to the recent
international and state conventions at
Toronto, Canada, and Charleston, re-
spectively,
AT Zane Street church the pastor
Rev II. b. Evans, who took promi-
nent part In the arrangements for the
West Virginia delegation at Toronto
gave a very glowing account of the big
gathering of Epworth Leaguers at that
city. That gathering OF $4,000 young
people, he said, was the largest and
most enthusiastic OF its kind in any age,
and 1t was the largest in the history OF
the Methodist body.
Rev. Mr. Evans, in tracing the growth
of the league from It's humble beginning
in Cleveland over seven years ago, to
It's present enrolment of 100000 mem
beers, said that such marvellous growth
was indeed OF mighty portent. 1t was
representative of the interest young
people were taking in che work of
Christ, and year after year would find
the young peoples movement increas-
ing in numbers and force. The interna-
tlonal convention at Toronto was the
second in the history OF the order.
and the next which will be held at In
dlanapolis two years hence, will show
that the league is keeping growth with
the pace set.
Incidentally, In his remarks, Mr., Ev-
ans gave very vivid descriptions OF the
scenes at the Toronto convention.
Meetings were held simultaneously at
the largest auditOriums and churches in
the city, and at all times there was the
keenest enthusiasm. The sessions at
Massey hall daily attracted 5000 people,
$500 people attended those at the Met
ropolltan church, and like number at
Cookies church, besides those scattered
among the other churches Sunrise
services were held the Friday morning
OF the convention week, and one Of the
most successful was conducted by Rev.
DR.. Rllter. The grand rally Mt the eN-
hlbitlon grounds, which took In all the
delegates. was held Saturday afternoon,
and presided over by Governor Atkin-
son, who made strong address upon
that occasion. There are nearly 200
Protestant churches in Toronto, and
Sunday morning they were given over
to the Methodists.
Rev. Mr.. Evans spoke of the inspiring
scenes that occurred, when the vast
throngs assembled sang in unison some
familiar hymn, to the accompaniment
of countless waving handkerchlefs. All
the features of the big gathering came
under his notice. and he referred to
several last night The strict ohserv-
ance OF the Sabbath in Toronto fur
nished him theme for sharply critics.
INK the laXity Of Sunday observance in
American cities.
There was good attendance at Wes-
ley N. II. church last night to hear the
reports of the delegates to the interna-
tiOnal and state conventions of the Ep-
worth League, and all were treated to
very interesting and instructive papers.
President George Waterhouse, and
Misses Eva Bayless and Annie Honeck-
err were the delegates to Toronto, and
Misses Gertrude Roberts and Nina l..
Gould to Charleston. They detailed
many amusing incidents OF the trip, as
well as noting the lessons to be gained
from the contact with such Important
gatherings OF religious workers. The
reports were listened to with great at
tention, and were greatly enjoyed.