The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-18
Leaguers Gather to the Num-
ber Of 25O,OOO
For the Great Convention Which
Opened Today
IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Pavilion Was Found
RObed and Ready.
A Chorus of 1000 Voices Wlll
Furnish Music.

San Francisco, Cal. July 1S.-The
Epworth League convention OF 1901
was formally opened at Mechanics pa
vilion today. For the past week the
tide of travel has been toward San
Francisco until the Epworth hosts 250,
600 strong had been poured into the
city ready for the opening services.
Arrivals continued at all hours last
night and in the early hours of this
morning. but the last belated train was
in and the last tired travellers had been
given a warm welcome by the recep-
tion committee before the first number
of today's programme was called
The great pavilion was robed and
ready. The last tack had been driven
and the last bit of color had been
added in good time. The vast audi
torium, which has seats for 10000. and
additional facilities for a chorus of o.
900. which VIII give special concerts.
presented a pleasing sight The entire
auditorium was canopied by American
flags. while around the gallery rail-
ings red and white bunting was draped
gracefully with here and there shields
of America. and Great Britain with
their respective flags crossed above
them. The stage was hung with gold
colored bunting. the states color.
The throng began assembling early
for the opening ceremonies, every one
enthusiastic and happy.
From the torrid temperature Of the
east to the cool breezes of the Pacific
and a temperature of 60 was welcome
and exhilarating change to the pill
grims. If their looks and actions Of to-
day may be taken as evidence At II
O'Clock this morning three celebrations
of the Lords supper were held in the
First Presbyterian, Central Methodist
and the Howard Street Methodist
churches. These n eetings were purely
devotional in character. but were at
tended by crowds that taxed the ca
pacity of the buildings.
A missionary conference was held nt
the headquarters on Larxin street At
the same time a business meeting OF
presiding elders and league officials as
sembled at the pavilion in order to pre-
pare for the days activities.
When Chairman Filben ascended the
platform and raped for order every
seat in the building had an occupant,
while many others sought standing
room. The vast audience greeted the
chairman with the Chautauqua salute.
and then listened to the opening song
service.
Following is the programme for the
day:
Opening of the convention in Me-
chanics' pavilion. Rev. Thomas Filben
presiding. Song service, led by Rob
ert Husband; devotional exercises, led
Dy 1eSt- C1soA AAAA e,uuA es7S1 Va
come by Governor Gage. Mayor Phe-
Ian, Bishop Hamilton and Rev. J. G.
Simonds, of Woodland Responses on
behalf of the Methodist Episcopal
church by Bishop I. w. Joyce. Mime
apolis; on behalf of the Methodist
Episcopal church, south. Rev. Fl M.
Dubose, Nashville. Tenn; on behalf of
the Methodist Episcopal church of
Canada. Rev. James Henderson, To
ronto; on behalf of the Colored Meth
odist Episcopal church, A. A Carter.
Atlanta, Ga.
This evening three meetings viii be
held. at the main pavilion, at the AL
han bra theater and at Metropolitan
temple. The principal theme ct all
these meetings will be The Young
Peoples Movement in the Twentieth
Century" discussed by Rev. Charles
H Bayard Mitchell, of Minneapolis;
Rev. Alonzo Monk. Nashville. and Rev.
c. W. Willard, of Yonkers, N. Y, re-
spectively.