The record-union., 1897-07-14
President Clark Summarizes the WORK OF
the Meetings.
A Meeting of the State Presidents
and a Banquet, With a Concert
in the Evening, Conclude the
Exercises in Connection With
the Convention - EndeavOrers
Entertained at Oakland.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13.-"The
International Christian Endeavor con-
vention of 1897 will pass into history
as in some respects the greatest and
most memorable of all its fifteen pre-
decessors. An attendance of more
than 10000 a registration Of over 10
600 actual Christian Endeavorers, is
equal to an attendance of 10000 in
any large Eastern city, when we re-
member that half of the attendants
crossed the Rocky Mountains in order
to reach the convention.
But better far than the numbers,
and more worthy Of note, was the spir-
it of the convention, its earnestness, its
genuine ring, its high spiritual quality
1t brought a blessing to California; 1t
viii leave a blessing behind it, and all
the delegates will take a blessing home
with them as they scatter to the remot-
est parts Of the world
FRANCIS E. CLARKE, President
of the q. S. c. F."
The above message. written for the
Associated Press by the founder and
leader of the Christian Endeavor move
ment. concisely summarizes the work
of the convention
To-day many of the delegates depart
ed to their homes, and many more will
depart tomorrow. a large proportion
of the strangers, however, viii visit
various points of interest before re-
turning to their homes.
There was a council of State Presi-
dents at the Palace Hotel beginning in
the morning. and, interrupted only by
=, ~
the afternoon. President Clarke pre-
sided, and III opening the session COM
mented favorably on the fact that it
was the largest similar meeting ever
held by the society. This he consid-
cred remarkable. considering the great
distance most of those present had to
travel in order TO be present
The question Of where the convention
of 1899 should be held was considered,
but no action was taken. There are
several applicants for the privilege Of
entertaining the delegates, Cincinnati
and Detroit being the cities most
spoken of, but it was thought best to
await offers from other places before
coming to a conclusion. The matter
therefore remains in allegiance.
It was decided that during the COM
ing year action should be taken by the
officers of the organization looking tow
ard a closer affiliation of the Christian
Endeavor Society with kindred asso-
Citations. The idea is to widen the
sphere of Christian fellowship already
existing within the order. until all aux
iliary church workers are in harmony
throughout the world.
ha nf 70 in ~
were devoted to informal talks and the
presentation and adoption Of the usual
complimentary resolutions, the Cali
fornia unions receiving unstinted praise
for the manner in which they had more
than kept their promises made in ad-
vance.
When the congratulatory speeches at
the banquet were concluded, President
Clarke, in a neat speech, presented Il
jeweled G. z. pin to the Chairmen Of
the various local committees to which
Rolla V. Watt, Chairman of the Com
mittee Of '97, eloquently responded. He
said that when the financial report of
the Committee of 81 was published it
would probably show substantial sur
plus. This pleasing and unexpected
fact was due TO the liberal cOntribu-
tions which had been made to the con-
vention fund by the business men of
San Francisco and the Christian En-
deavor societies of San Francisco and
Alameda counties.
The meeting of Presidents then ad-
journed.
In the evening there was a vocal and
instrumental concert given by the COM
bined choirs which had participated in
the meetings of the week The chorus
numbered 1,S00. and there were 10000
people in the audience
This closed the public exercises in
connection with the great convention.
ENTERTAINED AT OAKLAND.
OAKLAND, July 13.-This city was
besieged to-day by enthusiastic thou
sands of convention Christian En-
deavorers. BY invitation of the local
union. Oakland day" was months ago
decided upon as free festivity FOR
the visitors from the four corners of
the globe, and q fitting recreation to
conclude the great international con-
vention.
Early in the morning the throng of
pleasure seekers began to pilgrimage
from San Francisco to. Oakland. The
big ferry boats which cross the bay
separating the two cities We're rowd-
ed with singing Christian EndeaFarers,
and it was after noon before the crush
ceased.
AT this station, the visitors having
been transferred from the dock to the
city in immense trains, was an al
most endless line of carriages to con-
vey the young people to the picnic
grounds at Lake Merritt. near the city
limits. Others We're transported on
street cars, and by noon the beautiful
grounds called 1.-The Willows which
surround the lake, We're filed with an
army of Endeavorers.
Everything had been done with an
open hand for the pleasure of the Wis
itors Free transportation had been
furnished across the bay to Oakland,
and likewise on all street car lines IN
this city Many Endeavorers proceed
cd to the town. flooding the parks and
noipts of interest The business thor
ongbfares were in gala attire with
their floating banners and waving
flags while the bright badges OF the