Warren sheaf., 1897-07-15
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rally In San anSFrancisco-Grea Chris.
tian Gathe rims. @s.

Ei
San Francisco, July 8. he Christian
p Efnldeavor hosts have taken the town by
storm. Men and women alike are
decked with ribbons Of purple and gold,
Endeavor colors, on which are words
announcing their state and town. it is
estimated that not less than 5000 vis-
.ltors have arrived.
With the daylight began the prayer
meetings of the Christian Endeavorers.
Services were held in all the principal
churches of the city, the subject being
the same in each: Prayer for the Con-
vention."
Long before the hour appointed for
the opening of the convention every
seat in the vast pavilion, which accom-
modates over 10000 people, was occu-
pied, women predominating, and from
the stage the sight was one never to
be forgotten. Seldom has an audience
equal in number and appearance been
assembled within the walls of build
ing in California. .....-
Promptly at $3.50 the great gathering
was called TO order by Rev. +. II. Wilke,
of this city, and after musical well
come by the choir, brief devotional ex-
ercises were conducted by Rev. Philip
f. King, of Benton, Tex. Then the
welcome of the committee of '97 was de-
livered by Rolla v. Watt. The welcome
of the Golden Gate pastors was given by
Rev. John Hemphill. Lieut.. Gov. Jeter
then ascended the platform, and in
brief but well expressed speech well
coined the delegates and their friends
on bhalf of tn state of California. An
anthem was rendered by the choir, and
in behalf of the visiting Endeavorers
Rev. Ira Landrith, of Nashville, Tenn,
responded to the various addresses of
welcome.
When President Clark stepped for
ward to deliver his address the entire
convention arose in enthusiastic greet
ing, and the Chautauqua salute was
given with hearty good will. 1t was
some minutes before the vast assem-
hlage quieted down, and President
Clark was able to begin his speech.
His topic was "A World Encirc!ing
Religious Movement; How Shall 1t
Fulfill Gods Design?" He said in part:
II have attended conventions, since last
met you. in the Metropolitan Tabernacle
OF London, and in the beals of Bengal: in
st. Andrews Hall of Glasgow and in the
ancient capital of the Punjab: among our
Irish Endeavorers in Belfast, and on the
sunburnt plains of southern India: in
crowded Berlin, and on the lonely table,
lands of the Transvaal; among the Alps of
Switzerland, and on the vast veldt of the
Orange Free State; in sea-girt Stockholm,
and in the karoo of South Africa; in lordly
Paris, and in quiet wellington; in the Cape
these diversities of custom and costume,
of manners and methods, of language and
laws, ] have found that the Christian En-
deavor ideals are substantially the same.
Moreover, the people whom have seen
have been Of diverse creeds and views of
religious truth All, to be sure, have ac-
knowledged the supremacy Of Jesus Christ
as the very Son Of God and the only Saviour
of lost sinners. All have accepted the Bible
as the word of God, and the Holy Spirit
as the sanctifier, comforter and guide-in
such soil only can Christian Endeavor
flourish. <'
"Our society then has these signs of
universal movement. It was born in OBJ
scurity and weakness. 1t has not owed it's
extension to human advocacy or ecclesiast-
ical authority. 1t has spread to every land
1t has been found adapted to every evan
ernment, and to every race and class and
language and condition of people. It has
failed only where the principles involved in
our covenant pledge have been ignored or
where it has been crushed out by denom-
national authority"
After singing John Willis Baer, gen
eral secretary, delivered his report,
which contained the following:
In 1881 there was one society and 81 mem
bers. In 1897 there are SO, $50 societies and
total membership of 5000, ,0OO.s OF the states
having more than 1000 local societies,
Pennsylvania leads with 3,443; New York
has 3,049; Ohio, 1888; Illinois, 2.013: On
tario, 1,7s3: Indiana, 1887; Iowa, 1885. and
Michigan, 1,0n. These figures do not in
clude the Junior. intermediate, the Senior
and Mothers societies. Pennsylvania leads
the Junior societies with 1897: New York
has 1,2SS: Illinois, 1898; Ohio, $40; California,
551; Indiana, $40; Iowa, 51S, and Massa-
chusetts, 517. The banner given to the state
that has made the largest gains goes this
goes from Mexico to Spain. There are 366
Intermediate societies, California leading
with 81 Illinois having A; Ohio, 80, and
Pennsylvania, q. The Mothers societies
number 70; Illinois leading with 80; Penn
sylvania having 20 and Kansas IL. -Twen-
ty-seven Senior societies have been or
ganized, California, New Hampshire and
Pennsylvania each having three and Con-
necticut two. ,-l
England has 1925 societies. Australia, e.
124; Scotland. 433; Wales, 81; India. 25O:
Ireland, 1862; Madagascar, SO; France, 6S;
Mexico, 100; Japan, 66; West Indies, 63; Tur-
key, Al; China, So; Africa, So; Germany. 32-l
in all 1919 societies in other countries. In
addition Canada has 1890.
The badge banner for the greatest pro-
portionate increase in the number Of So
cieties, now held by Scotland, will go to
the Endeavorers on the Emerald Isle.
In the United States the Presbyterians
nave 5.5sl Young People.s ana 2,ss4 Junior
next with 4,156 Young Peoples and 1922
Junior: Baptists, 1.64O Young Peoples and