Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-02
A GREAT CONVENTION.
The loIIn" Mems Christian As
sociation Of the State Meets
in Butler.

The thirty-frst annual convention of
the Young Mems Christian Association
OF Pennsylvan... was called to order in
the local association Hall at 3 P. NJ
Thursday last by State Chairman Gil
bert NJ. McCauley of Harrisburg
Nearly every Y. VI. c. A. in the state
had at least one representative present,
and some Of the neighborhood asSocia-
tions had quite large delegations. In
all there were 81 delegates. OF these
50 were from College and - from Rail
road associations.
w. X. Jennings ESQ. of Pittsburg
was elected convention president. The
rest of the afternoon was occupied by
the reading of a paper on association
work by D. D. Hammelbaugh, dwarf
in statue but a man in ability and spirit,
Of Harrisburg, and by an address by
Rev. DR.. D. S Kennedy Of Allegheny,
whose two efforts on the Challenge of
Evangelical Chri stianity" We're features.
At six o'clock all the delegates were
surprised by the Ladies Auxiliary ban
quet.
After the feast J. NJ Galbreath, Esq
in an admirable speech welcomed the
delegates to the homes and hospitality
of Butler.
The evening was taken up by Mr.
McCauley, Jas A Bailey of Harrisburg.
Rev. c. a Barbour of Rochester n. Y.
and II. L. Maxwell of Green Castle Ind
The latter gentleman conducted all the
song services and his work was the fea-
ture of the convention. He is the best
chorus leader who has ever visited But
Ter. II. w. Gibson, secty, of the Lancas-
ter Pa, association, acted as Mr. Max
wells accompanist.
Beginning with Friday morning,
ali the sessions of the conven-
ton were held in the First Presby
terian church. The day was fully oc-
cupied with numerous papers and dis
cussions. IL the evening thousand
people crowded into the church and
heard two splendid addresses illustrat
cd with stereopticon views.
The first was by Mr.. E. l.. Shury Of
Dayton o., who told and showed what
the National Cash Register Co. of that
place did for its employees; the second
was by Walter L. Douglass, sect'y of
the Philadelphia association, a very able
speaker, who told of the Y. NJ G. AS
work among the soldiers during the late
war Sergt. Palmer, lately discharged
from the 10th, Pa Vols also spoke of
soldier experiences in Manila.
Among Saturdays speakers in the
First Presbyterian were Evangelist S.
NJ Sayford of Boston; Harry Wade
Hicks, of New York, Internationa lSec'y
Of College work, Hugh Kennedy of
Sharpsburg, Mr. Shuey, and Prof.
Mackey of Reading.
At supper time the Railroad dele
gates were banqueted in st. Pauls Re
formed church by the ladies of that con-
gregation. Before the supper W. c.
Keister of Everson Pa. read a paper on
association work, followed by discus
sion. At all railroad centres there are
conducted exclusively for
railroad men.
The College delegates also had spe
cial conference Saturday afternoon in
the Association hall and were banquet
ed by the Ladies Auxiliary. Among
the active association workers in college
circles present were Amos NJ. Bruce of
Dickinson, Chas w. Harvey of Buck
nell, S. l. Wallace of Washington and
Jefferson, Mr.. Rodgers of Grove City,
Byers of the Lincoln University for col
ored men, located in southern Pennsyl
vania, Isaac Seneca, of the Carlisle In
dian school, and Mr.. Soper of State col
lege.
Saturday evening another very large
crowd assembled in the Presbyterian
church. Thos. Thorburn, Secty. of the
Luzerne County Assn, spoke, told how
they went into small towns, interested
a small band of active young men, and
by personal interviews get a branch of
the county organization started. There
are 800 towns in Pennsylvania without
Y. NJ c. As. Telegraphic greetings
We're received from the State Associa-
ton conventions meeting in New
and Connecticut and from
Saginaw, Mich
Sunday morning nearly all the local
pulpits were occupied by delegates. In
the afternoon at 3:30 simultaneous meet
ings were held in the U. 7. church for
women, led by Mr.. Douglas and Mr..
jennings; in the Association hall for
by Evangelist Sayford, at which 1000
men were present.
Delegates spoke in the various young
peoples meetings and at seven o'clock
to great union farewell meetings were
held in the U. p and NJ. Z. churches.
Both were filled to the doors. Mr.
Maxwell sang at both meetings. At
the close of the services in the u. p.
church the delegates and local Y. NJ. c.
A. members present joining hands
formed great living chain around the
room.
The delegates farewell was held in
the Presbyterian church after the other
services A unanimous vote of thanks
and gratitude to the people of Butler
was taken, also vote of thanks to the
presiding officer, Mr.. Jennings, and at
1870 the convention closed, singing
"Blest Be The Tie That Binds"
One of the features of the convention
was the great harmony that prevailed
in conducting all business, display of
true Christian fellowship. The work
ing spirit around should bear good fruit
throughout the State. Butler can in
deed be congratulated that 800 men
ga thered here to praise God and plan
for future Christian work