The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-28
THE EPWORTH CONVENTION.
Probably the Largesi and Best of the
Leagues History.
Northwestern Christian Advocate.

Northwestern Christian Advocate.
The general Methodist Epworth conven-
ton, held in Indianapolis last week, prob
ably was the largest and best one in the Sc
ries since the league was founded The city
was verify full. pressed down, shaken to-
gether and fairly running over with bright
young men and women. The railway sta
tons were damned full The streets were
almost choked by the hosts. Hotels were
overlooking. Dining rooms that usually hold
all their guests at one and the same time
made ready their tables once, twice. thrice
and four times. while hungry leaguers wait
ed their famished turns. Churches, public
halls and tents were filled even to the back
seats, while buzzing, sweltering, disap-
pointed others filled the Hobbies, sympathiz-
ing with each other because there was no
more room inside. 1t was curious to hear
the wise and unwise estimates of the exact
numbers of thousands of leaguers who be-
sieged Indianapolis. Some were sure that
10000 were there Some who had counted
crowds before" declared confidently that
the whole assembly amounted to at least
1900" and there are not hundred more or
less than that exacs number" Others would
not listen TO an estimate of less than 10000.
while many seemed to have private ddvices
which showed $4,000. One enthusiastic ex-
tempore mathematician Jumped the whole
thing at 5000" at which point we ceased
to listen. lest figures. might. after all, and
on such an occasion, '3ie, and thereby put
the old saying 10 shame.
Everything was excellently prearranged.
Committees had done their work very eff,
GENTLY. Indianapolis opened her heart and
homes. Hospitality of the old-time sort
abounded. The chief trouble and annoyance
was unavoidable, in that no power in the
world can preserve quiet in an audience
which is unable to hear the speakers. No
human beings will pretend to hear and keep
their tongues still so long as they are un-
able to follow the trend of an orators ut
terance. We doubt that dumb people can
walk around the fringe of an audience and
fail to disturb other people who might have
chance to hear If the outskirts kept good
order.
Our accounts of the convention may give
some correct impression of the great meet
ings which took place thrice each day. 1t
would require book to include a really
worthy setting forth of the good things
which were said and done. Thursday, Fri
day, Saturday and Sunday were verify filled
by meetings, sermons, conversations, lee
lures. testimonies, recitation singing,
cheering, doxologieS and every other man.
ner of expressing the convictions of enthusi-
astic people. 1t will be noted that the reso-
lutionS are earnest, direct and rather de-
termined. Perhaps nothing else so we'll sums
up the trend and sum total of the long Sc
ries OF meetings. We are sure that no re-
llglous convention ever had finer series of
speakers, preachers and paper writer's. The
convention will be remembered for its ex-
celent oratory. Strong men uttered their
strongest conclusions and poured into the
hearts of young men and women thousands
of thoughts that breathe and words which
will burn for lifetime.
Best of all, spiritual power was a con-
staht theme, and we are sure that increased
spiritual power is among the best and last
ing fruits of the gathering. Generals ap
point reviews in order to see the marching
hosts and to measure their enthusiasm and
real readiness for service. One of the best
results when armies march past the review
ing officers is the stimulus given every SOL
fhrOnyh Wis of &c fhrn oip md
cheering comrades. We are sure that the
mutual sight of each other had in turn by
all those glowing thousands Of leaguers will
suggest to each and all that the Epworth
League Is a host from which the league
itself and the including church have right
to expect great things in the future.