The record-union., 1897-07-09

Religious Services Throughout
the Churches and in Public
Squares During the Afternoon.
SAN FRANCISCO. July S.-The long
anticipated California '97 of the Chris
tian Endeavorers became a reality
with the assembling of the two vast
audiences at the Mechanics and Wood
wards Pavilions this morning. Ten
thousand people filled the Mechanics
Pavilion as early as half-past nine this
morning, and crowds OF delegates and
visitors who came later were turned
away, no room being left for them on
the inside.
The scene inside the hall was a vast
bouquet of colors. All was animation
and happiness, with the thousands eag-
er to applaud or cheer at every oppor-
tunity.
The formal opening was by Rev. F. z.
Clarke, the founder and President of
the great Christian movement. DR..
Clarke was received with frenzied ap-
plause by every person in the building.
Every man, woman and child stood up
on benches and chairs. waving aloft
flags, banners, handkerchiefs, in fact
ever conceivable object to be had. The
demonstration lasted several minutes,
and DR. Clarke appeared much affected
by the heartiness of the welcome.
The meeting at Woodward's Pavilion.
while not so large, owing to the small
.r capacity Of the building, was equally
enthusiastic. The hall was crowded,
and hundreds blocked the streets on
the outside. Secretary Willis Baer
formally opened the convention at this
meeting.
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS
SAN FRANCISCO, July S.-With
the daylight this morning began the
prayer meetings of the Christian En-
deavorers. Services were held in all
the principal churches of the city,
the subject being the same in each.
Prayer for the Convention" The
leaders of these meetings. al of
which We're largely attended, most of
the buildings being crowded to their
utmost capacity. We're Guy W. Camp
bell of San Jose. Rev. c. D. Mcdonald
of Grafton, n. D.; J. H. Mansfield,
New Haven. Conn: B. w Wilcox.
Spokane. Wash: Rev. A. c. Smithers,
Los Angeles; H. J. Fries. Tacoma,
Wash; H. s. Gle, Salem, Ore: A. D.
Harmon. Bethany. Neb., and Rev. r.
NJ Craig. Santa Fe, N NJ.
Long before the hour appointed for
the opening of the convention every
seat in the vast Pavilion, which ac-
accommodates over 10000 people, was
occupied, women predominating, and
from the stage the sight was one
never to be forgotten Seldom has
an audience equal in numbers and ap-
pearance been assembled within the
walls of a building in California
Promptly at $50 o'clock the great
gathering was called to order by Rev.
f. r. Ollie of this city. and after a
musical welcome by the choir brief
devotional exercises were conducted
by Rev. Philip F. King of Belton,
Texas
Then the welcome of the Committee
of '97 was delivered by Rolla V. Watt.
He said:
This morning our dreams are re-
allied, our hopes are fulfilled. our
prayers are answered, for we witness
the assembling of the International
the first time on the shores of the
mighty Pacific. God bless you We
are glad you are here. Welcome,
thrice welcome
1--WE welcome you first and above all
for the sake of our Master, whose
banner of love is over all, and whose
servants you are. He has said if we
lift Him up He will draw all men unto
Himself, and just as we represent
Him in our thoughts. our words, our
deeds, in our daily lives, so men will
see Him. He holds in His hands the
solution of all our problems, social. po-
litical and spiritual 1t is the part of
Christian Endeavorers to take these
preferred gifts and offer them to
mankind.
I'VE welcome you, therefore be-
cause you are seeking to present the
Savior of men to the world, that the
world may be made better.
1--WE cannot offer you the historic
settings of Boston Common nor the
beauties of a National Capital-we are
too young for such things-but we are
proud of our city, set on more hills
than Rome boasted, and of our State,
with its varied and unequaled at
fractions.
while you are in our city 1 trust
you will seek out the bright spots
rather than the dark ones; ascertain
for yourselves what we are doing on
the west coast along the lines you
have chosen for your activities; note
the evidences of material, moral and
religious progress, and in doing so
remember that not fifty years ago on
this little peninsula Yerba Buena was
christened San Francisco. 1t was
then scarcely a hamlet, and was not
incorporated into a town until three
years afterward
And let me remind you that at New
York, Montreal, Boston and Washing
ton, we invited you to California; our
invitation was broader than a city;
and this morning, on our souvenir
badges, on our flags, on our arch, on
our banners, in flowers and shrubs in
our parks, you will find inscribed the
magic words which have induced you
to leave your homes and to travel
thousands of miles through the burn
ing heat of the July sun-California
'97."
After the applause which followed the
remarks Of Mr.. Watt had subsided, the
welcome of the Golden Gate pastors