The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-07-14
CONVENTION CLOSED
Christian Endeavorers' Eight.
zenith Meeting a Success.
LARGEST ATTENDANCE ON RECORD
Thirty Thousand Persons Simulta-
neOusIy Present Mt the Meetings.
Closing Addresses by DIR. Chap
man and Bishop Vincent.

DETROIT, July 1.-THE eighteenth
international convention of Christian
EndeavOr closed last night amid scenes
of impressive solemnity attending the
utterance of "the last word" by the pres
ident and secretary in each of the great
tents respectively, following responses
from each state and country represented
and last exhortations from NJ. E. Bishop
Vincent of Kansas and Evangelist Chap
man of New York.
AT all previous meetings the audiences
assembled quietly, but last evening fol
some time before the calling to order of
the two great gatherings Tents Endeavor
and WillistOn were babels of sounds and
scenes. The state, provincial and for
eign delegations were grouped in desig-
mated punches divided about equally be-
tween the two tents. Each had its own
particular rally cry, and each delega-
ton took pleasure in making it known to
the extent of its lung power. The dele
cations which were not shouting were
singing. Music Conductor Foster finally
made himself heard without the aid of
megaphone, and all the voices were
turned into the inspiring volumes of
Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty" with
much improved effect.
The following statement as to at
tendance, ETC., was given out by Secre-
tary Baer:
without doubt the attendance at this
convention has very much exceeded that
of any other Christian Endeavor cOnven-
ton ever held in the matter of those
present at the various meetings. This
estimate takes into account the great
convention at. Boston in 1895. That is to
say, out of the $4,000 Endeavorers
registered, which is the estimate of the
reception committee and includes mem
bers, there have been more who attended
meetings than at any previous time. The
estimate of attendance at meetings gives
total of 29S,500. There were $4,000 En-
deavorers in attendance, including De-
troit delegates"
Thirty thousand persons simultaneous
ly attended strictly Christian Endeavor
meetings. These figures do not include
the 66 noon evapgelistic meetings, which
had total attendance of $4,000 and 100
professed conversions.
The chairman of each state and pro-
vincial delegation and those from abroad
were called to the platform and testified
each for his people and their aspirations
as indOrsers. Then they sang together,
waved flags and gave other evidences Of
enthusiasm.
During a recess in these responses
each member of the 1899 committee was
called out They were told that the
1899 convention had never been equaled
as to programme, speakers, presence of
good and large attendance at meetings.
Secretary Baer stated that although the
attendance at Detroit was $4,000 as
against $4,000 at Boston that the meet
ings in Detroit were attended by larger
numbers than were those at Boston. . |
Chairman w. II. Strong of the local
committee responded appropriately to
the compliments rendered before the two
mighty audiences and attributed the sue
cess of the convention chiefly to indivi-
dual faithfulness.
Great Britain's leading representa-
tives, MeSsrs. Tressdder and Mursell of
London and Pollock of Glasgow, stood
together and sang Britain For Christ"
Then all sang stanzas of "God Save the
Queen" and america" DR.. J. Wilbur
Chapman preached the concluding SER
mon in Tent Endeavor The closing ad-
dress in Tent WillistOn was made by
Bishop John H. Vincent of the NJ. E.
church.