Smyrna times., 1897-08-11

spired by the call of dutv. Yet tbas
intangible results of the conyentio
are the ones best worth RECORDING
though they cannot be tabulated or 8
easily expressed in written characters
But even in mere size this conven
tlon compared favorably with the grea
gatherings that have preceded il. tbouol
1t was held on the westernmost rim o
the continent, nearly three Thousand
miles from the centre of the Cbristia,
Endeavor hosts. To be sure one or tw,
conventions have exceeded it in size
notably the Boston convention
OF 80, attended by more than
o0,OOO delegates. But when we 20.
member the vast distances traversed
ana that the immediate local constitu. .
ency OF the society is comparativelv
small, the attendance of 40. 600 nersons
VINO had come from a greater or lesser
distance to attend the convention wos
remarkable. For days the Western
railroads were blocked with such a
tra1hc as was never known since the
last golden spike at Promontorv secur-
ed IN its place the iron girdle between
the East and the West.
Trains rolled into San Francisco
twelve, twenty-four, thrity-six hours
late, reporting that still scores of trains
with thousands'of passengers were be-
hind them. The last of the excur.
slonlsts did not reach San Francisco
until three days after schedule time
AS railroad man on the Denver and
I'lo Grande said, with pardonable ex-
aggeration, ''You can walk on the tons
OF the Pullman cars all the wav from
Colorado Springs to Canon Citv "
Forty-two thousand passengers, we are
told, crossed the mountains. of whom
probably one-half attended the conven-
lon' the other half being excursionists
attracted by the cheap rates.
Yet, though the throngs were 60
great and the consequent delav was
serious, the railroads struggled with
the congested traffic as we'll as possible
though if they had listened to and he
heved the predictions of the leaders of
the society concerning the probable at
tendance they would have been better
able to cope with the unexpected rush |
Of business.
But even the leaders were surprised.
and each State delegation of Endeav.
Orers was nearly twice as large as was
1t first expected. However, I heard
40 complaints even from the most be-
ated passengers; all felt that under
'he circumstances everything possible
vas done for their comfort and safety.
md every newl y arrived delegation de-
'lared that they had the banner train.
he best company, and the most iov-
'us time of all on the way.
The arrangements in San Francisco
we're all that could be desired. The
numerous committees, numbering in
IL 1000 or 1000 young men and women.
Id their work most efficiently. Beau
ltul audltoriums with capital acoustic
ualltles were provided. The streets
'ere gay with bunting by day and
rllllant with electric-light welcomes
y night. A great arch spangled with
Iectrlc-light devices spanned Market
treet, with the dates, ''Maine, 1881"
1S97," on either side. {
he Golden Gate Park was bright with
oWery devices in purple and gold, the
alifornia Christian Endeavor colors.
ling OF the city's welcome, and on
'ery hand signals of gladness and
'eetlng awaited the visitors. The !!
'eakers who were advertised, among "
EN- many of the most eloquent di- =
mes OF the country, were present al :
ost without exception; the tide of
yous enthusiasm rose higher and -
CHER with each succeeding day. The "
INVENTION passed off without accident = :.
haw OF any kind, and though now =,
ly memory, it is an imperishable -
'mory for all who enjoyed it. -
What are the lasting results? They -
not easy to formulate, but these are - =
me of them: First, increased patrio- a. a.,
m and love of country. To many y
uths and maidens this was their first e'
lg journey. They saw their own o'
lntry under the most delightful cir p'
instances. They spent from six to "
days crossing her broad praires, .
mbing her rocky backbone, visiting, al
only for a few hours, her great in 20
ID cities. Every mile was lesson 'Ol
only in geography, but in patriot [eI 70
and love of country. "a