The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-08
While Jupiter Pluvius Drenched Ev-
erything I'm sight and Made n Din
on the Roofs Of the Tents.
FEATURES OF THE MEETINGS
SPEAKERS VOICES DROWNED IN
THE NOISE MADE BY TIE RAIN.
Sea of Umbrellas on Floor and Stage
QuayIe Unable 20 Attend.

DETROIT, Mich, July THE mooted
question of the number of people brought
into Detroit by the Christian Endeavor con-
vention cropped out at the outset OF to-
nights meeting in Tent Endeavor, when
Secretary Baer took occasion to publicly
criticise Detroit newspapers for saying
that the influx of delegates from other
States was not nearly as great as had been
anticipated in the local committees esti-
mates. Mr.. Baer said he had no statement
yet to make about the attendance as COM
pared with other years. He promised TO
make one later but he called on all En-
deavorers present TO rise. A large majority
OF those present stood up. which Mr.. Baer
assumed TO be proof Of his view of the at
tendance question. The newspaper esti-
mate of total visitors is 1900 in round num-
bers. Mr.. Baer denied that anybody con-
nected with the Christian Endeavor COM
mittees had ever told Detroit people that
IT,; had reason to expect $1,000 Endeavor-
ers. At all events. the secretary insisted
that the Christian Endeavor tents had
never before been so crowded and over
flooded at every one of the main meetings
showers Of Blessings" and There's Sun
shine in My Soul To-day were the favorits
hymns sung by the Endeavorers this MORN
ing en- route to the quiet hour" in Tent
Endeavor. However abundant the spiritual
showers may have been, the physical rains
We're certainly copious enough to drench
everything in sight, and the utter fncapa-
bilty Of the Endeavor tents to exclude rain
was fully demonstrated. Rev. DIR. J. Will
bur Chapman. leader of the '"quiet hour"
and III. G.. Smythe. the New York gospel
singer, stood on the speakers platform.
hats on. directing the proceedings, shield
ing themselves with umbrellas from the
streams of water that dribbled through the
big sheet iron resonater overhead Tent
Endeavor was broad and long expanse OF
shining umbrellas Scarcely anybody found
a dry spot to sit upon. and, II rained inside
the tent almost as hard. and in places hard
er, than out of doors. The long decorative
bands Of white and red sagged with their
weight OF moisture. The audience appeared
large enough to fill the tent, but II was
mostly umbrellas. For long time the muf-
fed roar Of falling rain on the roof pre-
cluded hope Of speaking or audible prayer.
so the people sang instead led by four
brass wind instruments. sticking out from
under more umbrellas on the stage. After a
time there was short. partial cessation OF
the downpour and then the quiet hours
was carried out amid surroundings which
made the title a misnomer
OPEN PARLIAMENTS.
Hundreds OF young people braved the ele-
ments and appeared at the grounds for the
two main 10 o'clock gatherings, but post
ponement, for the time being at least was
inevitable. Soon after 10 o'clock, however.
the rain ceased, the tent seats became par
tally dried out and the programme was
proceeded with. with both the main tents
comfortably filled. To-day speaking was not
wholly from the platforms The humblest
delegate In the audiences had their chances
as against the pulpit orators on the stage.
They promptly improved. all opportunities
given by the open parliaments to shout out
their experiences in religious work and the
plans for future efforts toward regeneration
Of the world.
Tent Endeavor was the scene OF a "prac-
teal school Of methods" addresses alternate
Ing with open parliaments in bringing out
consensuses Of experiments and past ana
prospective achievements. The topics and
leaders were as follows: New Ideas for
the Prayer Meeting Committee" WILLIAMS
T. Sweet, Denver, COL; New Views for the
Lookout Committee" w. II. Ball, Phsladei-
phia, Pa; open parliament. conducted by
w. c. Perkins, Baltimore; Novel Socials.s
Rev. E. Leefier. Dayton; open parliament,
conducted by John A. Carr. Baltimore:
Fresh Missionary Meetings." H N Lath-
rop, Boston; open parliment, New Plans
conducted by III. II. Grotthouse. Dallas. Tex:
Some New Committees" S. J. Duncan
Clark. Toronto. Ont.
The theme for the meeting in Tent Willis
ton was Best Things" practical school
Of methods. at which Treasurer william
Shaw. OF Boston, presided. Ten OF the
best things that can be DONE by the
various society committees were described
in brief talks by Rev. Otis Smith, OF Bay
City. Mich; Rev. 7. A Hannah, OF Steu-
benville, o.: Rev. Z. w. Clippinger, OF
Warrensburg, Mo-; Rev. A. C. Miller. OF
Plymouth. o.: c. V. Vickey, of BARLEY.
Neb.; Miss Jennie Mason, Of Indianapolis.
and Rev. DIR. J. S. Cowan, OF Boston An
address on THE Best Consecrated Con-
secration Meeting was given by Rev.
A. c. Kempton. of GAINESVILLE. wis.
A. G.. LeffingweIl. OF Appleton. Wis.
conducted a short open parliament
on The Best Thing Society Ever
Did," calling forth responses from many
delegates from widely separated parts Of
the country. The meeting closed with On
address by Rev. ]. IL. o. Smith. OF Chicago.
on the subject. Don't be Satisfied with
Second Best"
NOON AND AFTERNOON MEETINGS.
Largely attended evangelistic services
were held during the noon hour at factories.
public squares and wharves throughout the
city
The afternoon was given up to confer
ences in the larger churches Bible study
conferences were conducted by Prof. w. q.
Moorehead. OF xenis. o.. and by Prof. IL l.
wsllett. Of Chicago. at Westminster Pres