The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-06
THOUSANDS MEET IN DETROIT.
CHBISTIAN ENDEAVOREnS' GREAT
ANNUAL GATHERING.


When the Exercises DeGan-A TeIe-
gram Was Rend From Presidenc
McIkinIcS-EngIIsh and American
CoIors Intcrtwincd-pev. Arthur j.
smith of savannah Responded for
the United states.
Detroit July 5.-The afternoon of the
opening day OF the eighteenth annual in
ternatonal convention of Christian En-
deavor was showery. but toward evening
the sun broke through the clouds, and the
travel from all parts of the city TO The
Christian Endeavor grounds began.
At sundown, long, waverng lines OF
young people from various directions,
wended across the green fields about the
white tented city. all oonverging toward
Teut Endeavor, beneath whose broad,
spreading canvas, The welcoming rally
was held The crowds poured in through
the four entrances on every side, and down
the six broad sawdust covered aisies, un-
til the great tents capacity of 10000 was
filed: after that a crowd Of outsiders OBJ
tanned sglt ana hearing through the drop
ping of the tent walls at either side
The Christian Endeavor red aud whits
was suspended in hundreds of broad
| streamers from the lofty roof TO the caves.
Flags Of all nations draped with tho
stars and Stripes, hung overhead at In
| tervas. The coat of arms OF the states
were attached to the tent poles. The
Christian Endcavor monogram shone from
large red and white electric globes over
the resonator suspended above the speak
er's platform, while higher up the Union
Jack and Stars and stripes intermingled.
A thousand white-capped young men and
maids composed the choir on the big stage.
the front Of which was occupied by the
officers and clergy.
The Exercises BeGun.
Promptly at 1880 the comparative silence
was broken by the swelling strains OF
"The Son Of God Goes Forth to War;
followed by There Shall BE Showers OF
blessings" and Coward, Christian Sol
diers,n in which all Of the great crowd en4
Enthusiastically Joined.
Devotional exercises were led by the Rev.
J. G. Butler of Washington.
| The welcome of the focal committee was
extended by William II. Strong, its chair
man.
Rev. Charles Il, Newman eloquently
troit pastors Mayor May on behalf
of the city Of Detroit, cordially welcomed
the Endeavorcrs. In conclusion he said
what marvel Of growth has been
yours Founded and led by one an whose
features there dwelis not even the premo-
milton to increasing years, his eye un-
dimmod and his natural strength una
bated he journeys at the head Of his nu-
mcrous and triumphant family toward tho
Holy Land. Late may come the day when
| his helpful presence must be exchanged
| for q sad but ever delightful memory This
! Endeavor is more than an institution, be-
cause it uplifts and saves. Institutions do
not save; Righteousness alone exalts na-
| tons.'
From the President.
There was enthusiastic applause when
Secretary Baer read the following telegram
| from the President Of the United States:
| To Rev. ID. Francis Clark Detroit. Mich:
| On the occasion of the eighteenth inter-
national convention Of your society, de-
| sire to express my cordial interest In its
work, my best wishes TO those assembled
| with you in convention, and my earnest
hope for the continuance and increase of
| the great results which the efforts of the
! Christian Endeavor Society have achieved.
| (Signed) William Mckinley.
| Next on the programme came responses
| in behalf of endeayors from foreign lands.
| As Rev VIM. Patterson came forward to
speak for Canada, some one struck up
| God Save the Queen" The Canadian on
the platform took up the strain and in a
moment the huge tent was reverberatne
! with the swelling chorus Of the British
| anthem. The friendly relations between
| Canada and the United States particular
| ly with reference TO religious matters.
| formed the burden of DR.. Patterson's ad-
dress
Make Conflict Impossible.
Rev. Or. II. J. Tresider, secretary OF
| the London council of Christian Endeavor,
| answered 10 the greetings in behalf of
| Great Britain.
| Perish the mad dream" said he, that
a conflict should ever come between our
! two countries 1t Is the work and the
| duty Of the Christian Endeayorers to make
| impossible such an idea"
For Australia, response was made by
| Rev. Joseph Walker Of Queensland; for
| China by Rev. Ewood G. TewKsbury. a
| missionary IN the vicinity Of Pekin for
Turkey by Rev. Lyndon S. Crawford, for
| many years a missionary in that country:
for Japan, by Rev. Otis Carey; for Mex
| leo, by Rev. G. Scott Williams, and for
the United States, by Rev. Arthur ].
| Smith of Georgia.
| At the close of the big meeting the
| crowd througed to the platform TO be pre-
sented to the Mayor and the officers OF
| the United Society. This closed the first
| day of what promises TO be one of the
most notable gatherings In the history OF