The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-09
DAYLIGHT PRAYER MEETINGS
Opened the First Days Session of the
Christian EndeavOrers.


SAN FRANCISCO, July S.-With the day
light this morning began the prayer meet
ings 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 convention. The leaders
for the meetings. all of which were large
ly attended, were Guy w. Campbell, of San
Jose; Rev. c. d. Mcdonald, of Grafton, N.
D.. j. H. Mansfield New Haven, Conn;
B. F. Wilcox, Spokane, Wash; Rev. A. c.
Smithers, Los Angeles; II. j.. Fries, Ia
coma, Wash; H. A. Gle Salem, Ore. A.
d. Harmon, Bethany, Neb., and Rev. r.
NJ. Craig, Santa F'e, N. M Long before the
hour appointed for the opening of the con-
vention every seat in the vast pavilion
which accommodated over ten thousand
people. was occupied, women predominant
ing, and from the stage the sight was never
to be forgotten. Seldom has an audience
equal in numbers and appearance been as
sembled within the walls of a building in
California, Promptly at $3.50 the great gath
ering was called to order by Rev. e. r.
Wilke, of this city, and after a musical
welcome by the choir brief devotional
ercises were conducted by Rev. Philip
King. of Benton, Tex. Then the welcome
of the committee of 97 was delivered by
Rolla V. Watt Mr.. Watt said:
This morning our dreams are realized,
our hopes are fulfilled, our prayers are
answered; for we witness the assembling
OF an international Christian Endeavor con-
yention for the first time on the shores of
the mighty Pacific. God bless you We are
glad you are here; we welcome thrice well
come We welcome you first and above all
for the sake of our Master, whose banner
of love is over all and whose servants you
Will draw all men unto himself and Just as
we represent Him in our thoughts, our
words our deeds, in our daily lives, some
will see Him. He holds in His hands the
solution of all our problems social. politi-
cal and spiritual. 1t is part of Christian
EndeaYor to take those proHered gifts ana
o1er them TO mankind. We welcome you,
therefore, because you are seeking to pre-
sent the Savior of mankind to the world
so the world can be made better We can
not offer you the historic setting of Boston
Common. nor the beauties of national
capital, are too young for SUCH things,
but are proud of our city set on more
hills than Rome boosted and of our State,
with its varied and unequaled attractions.
While you are in our city trust you WIN
seek out the bright spots rather than the
dark ones, ascertain for yourselves what
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 so doing, remem-
Der that only few years ago on this lit
tie peninsula Yerba Buena was chriStened
San Francisco. 1t was then scarcely a ham,
let and was not incorporated into a town
until three years thereafter. And let me
remind you that when at New York, Mont
real ana Boston ana w ASHlUBlOH. we III
vited you to California our invitation was
broader than the city and this morning on
your souvenir badges, pledges and your
arch and banner. 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 burning heat Of a July
sun-'California, g. "
After the applause which followed the re-
marks of Mr.. Watt had subsidized the well
come Of the Golden Gate pastors given
by Rev. John Hemphill, who said in part
Several centuries ago monk of Picardy
named Peter the Hermit, went up and
down Europe preaching a fiery crusade
against those who held the sepulcher
wherein the Savior OF the world laid
and he inspired the people wherever he
went with his own wild, weird enthusiasm.
Deus Vult burst from ten thousand times
ten thousand lips and the armies of Chris
tendon precipitated themselves on the Holy
Land with the awful war cry God Wills
IL echoing from rank to rank Now Francis
T.. Clark, the Peter the Hermit of the
nineteenth century. has for several years
been going up and down our own land and
other lands preaching a far holier crusade.
kindling the fires of Christian zeal and love
on the affairs of young hearts, and now,
with a few battalions of his mighty army
he has invaded California and we have sur
the pastors of the golden West, we bid you
thrice welcome and We invoke such Show
ers Of blessings upon you that In the COM
Ing years the San Francisco convention viii
be referred 10 as the pentecostal conven-
ton"
DIR. Hemphills address was eloalently de-
livered and evoked much enthusiasm. Lieuu
tenant Governor Jcter then assembled the
| platform and in brief but well expressed