The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-20
WORK in FOREIGN FIELDS
This Will be the Keynote of the
Great Meeting.
MCKINLEY SENDS A MESSAGE or CHEER
Meeting Of Officers. Services at Churches.
Magnificent Song Service at the Open
ing Of The Convention in
Nj cha6ics Pavilion.
Nj cha6ics Pavilion.
(By the Associated Press.)


San Francisco. July 18.--The fifth in
ternational Convention Of the Epworth
League was opened today under the most
suspicious conditions. The weather was
ideal, and the attendance eQualled the
most sanguine expectations.
The scene at the Mechanics Pavilion,
where the principal exercises of the day
were held, was one not soon to be forgot
ten. Great volumes of music from human
throats and the accompaniment of the
Stanford organ inspired feeling of
reverential admiration and homage.
The great army of invasion of thirty
thousand men and women in the rank
and file has been provided for in man.
ner most gratifying to all. The entire
city is taking an active interest in Sc
cring the sccess of the gathering.
The first services in connection with the
Convention were held this morning in the
First congregational the Central Meth
odist and the Howard Street churches, in
each of which communion was celebrated
BY noon the vast interior of
the Mechanics Pavilion, capable of
containing over $1,000 people, was
filled with a mass of humanity, which
moved slowly and good naturally along
the aisles, stopping at frequent interval
to examine and partake of California
fruit. Almost everything had been pro-
vded without cost for the visitors.
Tie pavilion is ordinarily big, barn
like structure. but for the present occa-
sion il has been transformed into q
spacious and comfortable auditorium,
lavishly decorated with flags, evergreens
and flowers and rooted with the national
colors. Banners of the Nation, of Canada
and OF the League are everywhere in
evidence.
a meeting Of officers of the league was
welcomed shortly after noon and consid-
cradle time devoted to a discussion of
work in foreign fields. All the speakers
dwelt on the Importance OF spreading the
faith in the new possessions of the Uni
ted States. While this conference was
in progress a Christian Chinese, with his
five children, all wearing the Epworth
League badge attracted much attention
When the convention proper was called
to order at 2:30 O'clock by Rev. Thomas
Fllben, OF Pacific Grove, not a vacant
space was to be seen from the grand or
gan to the farthest gallery of chairs.
After service of song led by Robert
Husband and participated in by the chorus
OF two thousand, General Secretary, Rev.
Jos. #. Berry. read a number of congratu-
latory messages from prominent men
throughout the Union. President McKn-
ley said:
II have much pleasure in sending to the
Int ina al rrfl,
assembled at San Francisco, most hearty
congratulations upon the good work the
great body of Christian men and women,
which it represents has accomplished In
the rast and my earnest wish that even
greater success will crown the future eff
forts CT the league"
Vice President Roosevelt worded his
message as follows
'Heartiest greetings and may good luck
attend the Epworth League in its efforts
for social and civic righteousness
Other comniuncat inns were from Gov
errors McMilin. of Tennessee; Shaw, of
Iowa; Durbn. of Indiana; Yates, of ILL
nos; Bliss. of Michigan; Dsckery, of
Missouri: Stanley. OF Kansas, and Van
SAINT. of Minnesota. All were received
with cheers, these from the President and
Vice Pre- sident arousing the audience to
great enthusiasm.
Governor Henry T. Gage, of California
then welcomed the delegates to the State
i'm an address which was received with
the Chautauqua salute. Mayor Phelan
spoke, delivering an eloquent greeting in
behalf OF the city.
Bishop John W. Hamilton. of California,
and Rev. ]. c. Simmons, of Woodland,
California, also delivered addresses.
IL, a fc11
On behalf of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. l. w. Joyce, d. LII. D., Minneap-
oils: on behalf of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South the Rev. H. NJ Dubose, d.
d.. Nashville, Tenn: on behalf of the
Methodist Episcopal Church Of Canada,
the Rev. James Henderson, ID. D., Toronto,
Canada.
The concluding address Of the afternoon
was made by Rev. A. Carter, of Atlanta,
on behalf Of the Colored Methodist church.
The evening exercises at the Mechanics
Pavilion were presided over by Rollo
Watt The first address was by Rev.
Charles Bayard Mitchell who spoke on
"The Young Peoples Movement in the
Nineteenth Century"
r. b. Hutchinson, of Napa, California,
spoke on ''Methodism in the Twentieth
Century
At the Alhambra Theatre tonight
Rev. A. G. Crews. of Toronto. Canada.
presided. The young peoples movement
was discussed by Rev. Alonzo Monk. of
Knoxville, Tenn, and Rev. M. S. Hughes,
of Kansas City.
Rev. T. N. Ivey, of Raleigh N. c., was
chairman of the Metropolitan Temple
meeting. Addresses were delivered by
Rev w. c. Willard. of Yonkers. N. ";
Rev. John Fl. Coleman. of Glen Falls,
N Y, and Prof Collins Denny, of Nash
vile. Tenn.
suggestion has been made that