The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-06
CONVENTION OPENED.


Gathering OF the Organization.
DETROIT, Mich, July 5.-The after
noon of the preliminary day of the elgh-
teenth annual international convention
OF Christian Endeavor was showery,
but toward evening the sun broke
through the clouds and the travel from
all parts of the city to the Christian En-
deavor grounds began. At sundown
long wavering lines of young people
from various directions wended across
the greer fields about the white-tented
city, all converging toward Tent En-
deavor, beneath whose broad spreading
canvas the welcoming rally was held.
The crowds poured In through the four
entrances on either side and down the
six sawdust covered aisles until
the great tents capacity of 10000 was
filled; after that the crowd Of outsid-
ers obtained sigh: and hearing through
dropping OF the tent walls at either
side.
The Christian Endeavor red and
white was suspended In hundreas OF
broad streamers from the iotty Iooi ~
the caves Flags of all nations, draped
Win tbe stars and Stripes, hung over
head at Intervals. The coats OF arms
of the states were attached to the tent
poles The Christian EndeaVor mono
gram shone from large red and white
electric globes over the resonator sus-
nended above the speakers platform
EIgher nm the Union Jack and the
stars and Stripes intermingled. A thou-
sand whlte-capped young men ana
women composed the choir on the DIE
stage. the front OF which was occupied
by the officern and clergy.
Promptly at 1880 the comparative 81
lence was broken by the swellins
strains OF 1.-THE Son Of God Goes torth
to War" followed by There shall De
Showers Of Blessing. onward. Chtis-
tlnn Soldiers" etc, in all OF when the
great crowd enthusiastically poineu.
Devotional exercises were lea Dy the
Rev /. q. Butler OF Washington.
The welcome OF the local committee
was extended by VIM. H. Strong It's
chairman. Mr.. Strong dwelt upon the
beauties of Detroit and greeted the del.
egates not only on behalf Of the local
Christian Endeavor societies, but also
ON behalf OF the young peoples relig-
lous societies, allied TO special demon.
nations, which had collnborated In all
efforts of the general committee.
Rev. Charles b. Newman elOquently
welcomed the convention in behalf OF
Detroit pastors, closing with these
words: "You are thrice welcome. May
we yDroye az worthy hosts as you are
worthy guSgts, Qnd when you nave
closed your convention and are ready
to depart may you hnve it.as truly TO
say that you were welcome as we say
II now at the beginning"
Mayor Maybury welcomed the En-
deavorers on behalf Of the city,
After Mayor Maybury's address OF
welcome Secretary Baer read the fol-
lowing from the President Of the United
States:
"Rey. DR.. Francis E. Clark. Detroit,
Mich:
"On the occasion OF the eighteenth
international convention OF your so
ciety l desire to express my cordial In
terest IN lis work. my best wishes to
those assembled with you In conven-
tlon and by earnest hope for the con-
tinunncs and Increase Of the great re-
suits which the efforts of the Christian
Endeavor Society have achieved.
(Slgned) "wM. MCKINLEY"
Next on the programme came re-
sponses in behalf OF Endeavorers from
foreign lands. AS Rev. VIM. Patter-
son. OF Toronto, came forward to speak
for Canada someone struck up GOD
Save the Queen"
The Canadians on the platform took
up the strain, and in n moment the
huge tent was reverbernting with the
swelling chorus OF the British anthem.
The friendly relations between Canada
and the United States, particularly
with reference to religious matters.
formed the burden of Mr. Patterson's
address.
Rev. DIR. II. j. TresIdder. secretary OF
the London council OF Christian En-
deavor, answered the greeting In behalf
OF Great Britain.
Perish the mad dream" said he,
"thnt conflict should ever come be-
tween our two countries. 1t is the
work and the duty OF the Christian En-
deavorers to make impossible such an
idea"
For Australia response was made by
Rev. Joseph Walker. of Queensland;
for China, by Rev. ElwOod G. Tewks-
bury, n missionary In the vicinity Of
Pekln; for Turkey. by Rev, Lyndon S.
Crawford for many years n mission
ary in that country; for Japan. Rev.
Otis Carr; for Mexico, Rev. c. Scott
Williams, and for the United States,
by Rev. Arthur ]. Smith, Of Georgia.
At the close OF the big meeting the
crowd thronged TO the platform to be
presented to the mayor and the officers
OF the United Society. This closed the
first day OF what promises to be one Of
the most notable gatherings In the his
tory Of the Orgn nlZntlOn,