The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-19
THIRTY THOUSAND of THEM ARE
ATTENDING THE SAN FRAN
CISCO CONVENTION
MONSTER MEETING IS HELD
Crowded Interior of the Mechanics
Pavilion Presented an Im-
pressive Scene to the
Visitor.
REV. DIR. FILBEN PREsIDEs


annual International convention of the
Epworth league was opened today under
the most suspicious conditions The
weather was ideal and the attendance
equaled 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 for
gotten. Never in it's history has the
spacious interior of the pavilion pre-
sented a more impressive spectacle and
every unsightly inch of wall was hid by
tasteful decorations.
Great volumes of music from human
throatS and the accompaniment of the
Stanford organ inspired a feeling of rev.
erential admiration and homage. The
railroads had virtually fulfilled their
promises, and landed the last of the
Eastern delegates here in time for the
Introductory services. The great army
of 10000 men and women in the rank and
file had been provided for in a manner
most gratifying to all.
The first services in connection with the
convention were held this morning in the
First Congregational the Central Metho-
dist and the Howard Street churches, in
each of which communion was cele-
brated Bishop Joyce, president of the
league, conducted the services in the
First Congregational church.
At the Central Methodist church Rev.
John ]. Tigert, of Nashville Tenn, pre-
sided, and Rev. A c. Grove of Toronto,
Canada, led the congregation at the How
ard Street church
PAVILION CROWDED.
BY noon the vast interior of the Me-
chanics pavilion, having a capacity of
over 1900 people, was filled with mass
of humanity which moved slowly along
the aisles stopping at frequent intervals
to examine and partake of some choice
California fruit. For, with lavish hos
pitality, almost everything had been pro-
vided without cost for the visitors.
The pavilion is ordinarily a big, bare,
barn-like structure, but it has been
transformed into a spacious and COM
Portable auditorium, lavishly decorated
with flags, evergreens and flowers, and
rooted with the national colors. The
acoustics have been greatly improved and
the music of the grand organ rolls
through the building without an echo.
Banners of the nation, of Canada and Of
the league are everywhere in evidence.
A meeting of officers of the league was
held shortly after noon and considerable
time was devoted to a discussion of work
in foreign fields All the speakers DIVE t
on the Importance of spreading the
faith in the new possessions of the United
States. While this conference was in
five children, wearing the Epworth
league badge, attracted much attention.
When the convention proper was CALI
ed to order by Rev. Thomas Filben Of
Pacific Grove, not blank space was to be
seen from the grand organ to farthest gall
lery. After a service of song, led by Rob
ert Husband, and participated in by the
chorus of 2,000 voices, General Secretary
Rev. j. F. Berry read a number OF con-
al
inent Then throughout the Union.
GREETING FROM MKINLEY.
President Mckinley said:
"I have much pleasure in sending to
the International Epworth league con-
Vention assembled at San Francisco, my
hearty congratulations upon the good
work the great body of Christian mon
and women which it represents has ac-
complished in the past, and my earnest
wish that even greater success will crown
the future efforts of 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 communications were from Gov
ernOrs Mcmillan. of Tennessee; Shaw,
of Iowa; Durbin, of Indiana; Yates, of
Illinois; Bliss, of Michigan; Dockery
of Missouri; Stanley, of Kansas, and
Van SAINT, of Minnesota. All were receiv-
ed with cheers, those from Mckinley and
Roosevelt arousing the audience to much
enthusiasm.
The remarks Of Gov. Gage, Mayor Phe-
Ian, Bishop Hamilton, Bishop Joyce and
the other speakers of the day. also evok-
ed constant applause. 1t is already as
sured that the convention is destined to
be one Of the most successful in the an
nails of the Epwortn league.
The evenings exercises at the Mechan-
les pavilion were presided over by Role
Watt and ]. ]. Morris was musical di-
rector. Rev. H. Mcknight, of Los An
geles, Cal, led in prayer
The first address was by Rev. Charles
Bayard Mitchell, who spoke on THE
Young Peoples Movements in the Nine
teenth Century,"
The Young Peoples Movement in the
Twentieth Century" was discussed bv
Rev. G. W. Kirby, of Montreal Canada.
T. b. Hutchinson, of Napa, Cal, spoke
on "Methodism in the Twentieth Cen
tury."
AT the Alhambra theater tonight, Rev.
A. c. Crews of Toronto, Canada, pre-
sided, and c. w. Stanwel, was musical
director The young peoples movement
was discussed by Rev. AIonzo Monk of
Unionville, Tenn, and Rev. M. S. Hughes
of Kansas City, Mo. Rev E. e. Scott, of
Vancouver, B. c. spoke on "Methodists
in the Twentieth Century,"
Rev. 7. N Ivy, of Raleigh, was chair
man Of the Metropolitan temple meeting.
/. N. B. Lake was musical director, and
prayers were offered by Rev. A. Cobble-
dick, of Boutwell,, Ont Addresses were
delivered by Rev. c. Millar, of Yonkers;
and Prof. Collins Dennis, of Nashville
Tenn.
Tomorrow there will be morning. after.
noon and evening gatherings in each of