The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-04
THE ALLIANCE CONVENTION
FORMAL OPENING OF THE CLOSING
SESSIONS At NHlCK.


NYAcK. Sept. 3.-Far up on the declivity OF
one OF the Hudson's mightiest hills. In their
auditorium, which has been built at an
elevation OF nearly six hundred feet above
the river. DR.. A. b. Simpson and the
followers Of his Christian and Mission
AIRY Alliance formally opened their last con-
vention OF the season to-day. at which It
10 hoped to add to the gum o: S134. 600 already
collected as missionary offerings by DIR. Simp-
son in his tour through the country this sum
mer. To-day was announced as the first field
day, and while the attendance at the morning
meeting WAS not as large as 1t has been at tho
opening Of the two former conventions. the
pleasant afternoon brought people in crowds
to the strange gathering on the mountain side
at South Nyack. Despite the difference in sur
roundinRs. tho convention here IL marked
by many OF the characteristics which have
made DR.. simpsons yearly meetings In New
York such remarkable gatherings. Already
DR.. simpsons missionary uttersnces are be-
ginning to show their effect on those who have
gathered here to hear him nd his ASSISTANTS,
and the doctor has had to admonish them to
walt until the grand windup before opening
their purse strings too wide. in order probably
that their offerings at that time may slim ulate
liberality in the more I'm pecunious OF his lis
teners.
With respect to its surroundings and in
vention differs largely from the usual religious
gathering OF it's kind. For two years the al
lance. under DR.. slmp sons lead has been
gradually building upon the side Of
what is called the South Mountain. until
now 1t is dotted with the different
buildings. A big auditorium. erected
two years ago. accommod ates over three
hundred visitors. and Ia the most conspicuous
enc OF the lot Over it while the convention
lasts waves an enormous American flag. which
from it's attitude can be seen for miles up and
down the river Besides the auditorium there
is the Berachah Home for Invalds. with ac-
cancellations for over hundred persons It Is
filled during the convention with invalid be-
levers in the efficacy Of prayers as euro
for their ills. doctrine which the Alliance and
DIR. Simpson preach. Still higher up the
mountain side is a tent-shaped wooden struct-
ure called the Tabernacle. where daily the in
mates Of the Auditorium and Home gather
with visitors from Nyack and New York who
come to attend the services held by DIR. Simp-
son through the week. The Tabernacle is
without adornment Of any kind. The slope Of
the hillside furnishes natural elevation for
the seats. and also does away with tho nsces-
Sity OF rear wall for the edhce. 1t is
open at the sides and implanted. and with
out even q roof OF shingles, 1t stands
out from the mountain side in real keep
ing with the sylvan solitude surrounding it.
The climb up to this and the other buildings 10
almost a precipitous one. unless the zlg-zg
road is followed. and then this would seem
enough to- discourage any but a religious
enthusiast.
Neither the heat nor the apparent iuaccessi-
bility OF the tabernacle kept many Of DR.. simp-
sons followers from attending one or more Of
the meetings which opened the convention
to-day. From early morning people toiled
up the slopes and the conventions bussss
with visiting carriages. formed a con-
tinuous eavalcade up and down the road.
Reveral hundred people had arrived in
This manner when the O'Clock prayer meet
ing began and the number hourly increased
until at the missionary meeting in the after
noon the tabernacle was crowded while people
stood In curiosity about its unwalled sides.
Inside the rafters we're decorated with few
flags Of the countries penetrated by the mis-
sion. and over the platform on red and blue ban
ners. were such mottoss as The Gospel for the
whole world" Every place that your feet
have tread upon. that l have given to YOU"
Directly in front on huge banner were the
words Jesus only. the battle cry Of the ALI
Rnce and its followers. which now DR.. Simpson
asserts numbers 100000.
choir Of between thirty and forty voices oc-
cupied the platform at nearly all the meetings.
IT IL the same choir that has moved DR..
Simpsons audiences at Old Orchard. Me-. and
at the meetings at Carnegie Hall until. under
the inspiration OF the singing and DIR. Simp-
sons utternnccs money, jewels and pledges
have fairly fallen in showers into the re-
ccptacles, DR.. Simpson always takes the choir
with him on his tours 1t is one OF his most
powerful allies in assisting him to reach
peoples pocketbooks Some criticism has
been raised recently by UNCONVENTIONAL OPP
ronents. who would like to inquire into the
Alliances disposition OF the extensive funds
Placed in their hands, and that DIR. Simpson 10
seeking to allsy any fear that the discussion
may have produced among his followers. was
evidenced in the sermon with which he opened
the first large meeting OF the convention in the
tabernacle this morning.
Or, simpson begins every meeting with the
taking up OF collection. although at these
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