The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-08
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoRERs.
All Now in Readiness for Big Convention
in San Francisco.

San Francisco, July AFTER days
rest the various committees OF the loea
Christian Endeavor organization resumed
their labors preparatory to receiving and
entertaining the innumerable guests, who
are now en- route to California. Secretary
Baer, after experimenting the arrange
ments at the Mechanics Pavilion, said
that he was immensely pleased with all
that had been done.
He had attended several conventions
but never had local committee done
more excellent service than that of San
Francisco. He was particularly pleased
with the assignments of the various dele
cations. A reception committee OF 35 left
today for Sacramento to welcome the
visitors through that city.
The delay in Salt Lake has upset the
schedule pre-arranged by the railroads,
and the block system has been resorted to.
While there are 600 carloads of Endeavor-
ers on the road between this city and Og-
den the railroad officials are unable to
state definitely when they will reach here,
but have promised to accommodate the
visitors by arranging that no trains shall
arrive later than II o'clock by night, nor
earlier than 3 d. m.
All is now in readiness for the conven-
ton. About 5000 delegates will arrive
today and as many more tomorrow. The
baggage room of the ferry depot is crowd
ed with trunks and valises. Last night
there were thousands of pieces of baggage
plled IN great heaps under the arches
awaiting owners, and there were many
pieces in those piles that owners We're
looking for but could not find. About 1l5
carloads OF baggage is due to arrive today.
Tonight the great chorus. the concert
chorus and the bouquet chorus will give
their concert in the Mechanics pavilion,
These are the singers who are to furnish
the music at all the Endeavor meetings.
The transformation wrought in the
pavilion will be surprise to the thous-
ands who are familiar with it's ordinary
appearance. The seating arrangements
have been entirely changed and the roof
has been given q tentlike appearance by
a white canvas covering, which hides
completely from view the unsightly pillars
and will prevent the dissipation of sound
among the sharp ribs of the building.
The sixteenth international convention
all the past conventions of the Christian
Endeavor, ana would be lasting monu-
ment to the generosity OF the people on
this far western shore.
Among the Endeavorers wo have come
across the sea to attend the convention is
Miss E. J. Newton, of Foo Chow, the
representative of the Endeavor societies
in China. With her is Miss Carmen
Hostetter, who has come all the way from
Toxic to be in attendance at the conven-
ton. Miss Newton has brought with her
silk banner to be presented to the
Christian Endeavor society that donated
the largest sum of money to foreign mis-
sions. 1t is the gift of the Foo Chow
Christian Endeavor Union, whose greet
ings to the society were forwarded to Cen
eral Secretary Baer by the secretary,
Ling Muk, before they decided to send a
delegation. One of the most interesting
features at the Mechanics Pavilion will
be the reproduction of an early California
mission which will constitute the head
quarters of the missionary extension So
ciety, under the direction of Miss NJ L.
Berry, State Superintendent of Missions
for the Christian Endeavor Union
The entrance to this international ex-
hibit will be so fashioned us to represent
exactly one of the Oldest missions in the
state.
In the tower, which rises at the north
west corner of this structure, will be
hung bell taken from an old mission
which has been for sometime past repos-
ing silently in the Park museum.