Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-07-13


and Canada Are Pressut-DetroitB Bids
All Hearty weicome- Ola ONicers Re-
elected Years Progress Reviewed.
Fifteen thousand Christian Endeavor-
ers attending the eighteenth annual In
ternational convention at Detroit march
ed into Tent Endeavor on the opening
night singing hymns and waving the flags
symbolical of their order. O6icials of the
society announced from the speakers
stand that this meeting established new
record for Christian Endeavor conven-
ton, both in numbers and enthusiasm.
Fringed about the thousands who were
seated within the canvas auditorium were
other thousands who tiptoed and pressed
over and against their neighbors in their
anxiety to see and to hear. From the
moment the great audience rose and sang
the first inspiring song to the last dying
strain of the orchestra that played our
ing the reception following the set pro-
gram, through the thousands of people
ran an indescribable exultinS food Of re-
ligious sentiment.
At shutdown long wavering lines OF
young folks from various directions Cross
ed the green 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 en-
frances on each side and down the six
broad sawdust covered aisles, until the
great tents capacity of 10000 was filled,
after which a crowd Of outsiders obtain
ed sight and hearing through a dropping
Of the tent walls at each side.
The Christian Endeavor red and white
was suspended in hundreds Of broad
streamers from the lofty roofs of the
caves. Flags of all nations, draped with
the Stars and Stripes, hung overhead at
intervals. The coat of arms of the States
were attached to the tent poles. The
Christian Endeavor monogram shone
from large red and white electric globes
over the resonator, suspended above the
speakers platform. Higher up the union
jack and the Stars and Stripes intermin-
gled.
Great Choir Furnishes Music.
A thousand whte-capped young men
and maids composed the choir on the big
stage, the front Of which was occupied
by the officers and clergy.
Promptly at 1880 o'clock arose the
swelling strains of 1.-The Son of God Goes
Forth to War;" followed by There Shall
BE Showers of Blessing" Onward,
Christian Soldiers" etc., in all of which
the great crowd enthusiastically joined.
Devotional exercises were led by Rev.
j. G. Butler Of Washington.
The welcome of the local committee
was extended by William H. Strong, its
chairman. Mr.. Strong dwelt upon the
beauties Of Detroit and greeted the dele
gates not only on behalf Of the local
Christian Endeavor societies, but alss on
behalf Of the young peoples religious So
cieties, allied to special denominations,
which had elaborated in all efforts of
the general committee. Rev. Charles B.
Newman eloquently welcomed tire con-
vention in behalf of Detroit pastors. May
or MayberBy also welcomed the En-
deavors.
Greeting from Foreign Lands.
Next on the program came responses
in behalf of Endeavorers from foreign
lands. AS Rev. William Patterson of To-
rontp came forward to speak for Canada
some one struck up God Save the
Queen" The Canadians on the platform
took up the strain and in moment the
huge tent was reverberating 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 DR.. Patterson's address.
Rev. DR.. HI. j. Tressider, secretary of
the London council of Christian Endea-
vor, answered the greetings in behalf of
Great Britain. Perish the mad dream"
said he, that conflict should ever come
between our two countries. 1t is the
work and the duty Of the Christian En-
deavorers to make impossible such an
idea" lsAs -
For Australia response was made by
RewAJoseph Walker of Queensland; for
China, by Rev. Elwood G.. Tewksbury, a
missionary in the vicinity of Pekin; for
Turkey, by Rev. Lyndon s. Crawford,
for many xears a missionary in that coun-
try; for japan, by Rev. Otis Carey; for
Mexico, by Rev. C. Scott Williams, and
for the United States by Rev. Arthur ].
Smith of Georgia.
Trustees Review the Year
At the meeting of the trustees the bust
ness before the United Society was quick
ly TRANSACTED. Treasurer Shaw's report
showed expenditures during the fiscal
year Of S9,67S, and 1852 now in the treas
ury. The report Of George b. Graf of
Boston, agent of the publishing depart
ment, under whose direction the Chris
tian Endeavor World is published, show
ed cash on hand at the beginning Of the
fiscal year, June 1, 1898, 81, 10; receipts
during the year, $67,950; expenditures,
6,62S; cash on hand, S2,439. The
Western Office of the publishing depart
ment, located at Chicago, reported expen-
ditures of So, 563, and $GG4 now in its
treasury.
The old officers of the United Society
were unanimously reelected upon recon-
mendatiOn Of the nominating committee,
as follows: President, Rev. Dr. Francis
E Clark; secretary, John Willis Baer;
treasurer. William Shaw, all of Boston.
Representatives on the board of trus-
tees OF the United Society were elected