The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-12


returned from the great fifth interna-
tional convention of the Epworth
league recently in san Francisco. gave
some Of his impressions of the gather
ing last night before Epworth leaguers
from all parts Of the city, who gathered
in the Elm Park church.
The doctor took for his text Nehe-
miah. 6:i: come. now, therefore, and
let us take counsel together" He said
that it is wise tor persons agreed in
spirit and heart to take counsel one
with another and make plans for the
carrying out of their plans and under
takings. Conventions. he said. are ab-
solutely necessary TO the life of such
a vast organization as the Epworth
league, with its millions of members
in every land where Methodism has
gained a footing.
He said that he could give no ade-
quate idea of the enormity of the con-
vention in mere words. There were
10000 leaguers enrolled and as many
more outsiders were carried into san
Francisco by the great railroads which
made special rates for the convention.
There We're so many delegates in fact,
that they could not present their ere
dentials.
A MAGNIFICENT WELCOME.
The welcome accorded the visitors
by the citizens of san Francisco was a
magnificent one, the doctor said. The
streets and buildings we're beautifully
decorated and, to his mind, the cleo
trical display at night was far more
splendid than the one at the PAN
American exposition.
The nasty exhibits for which the city
is noted, he said, were kept carefully
under cover and the town, accordingly,
seemed. to he a little bit too good to
he true. according to the doctors idea.
The royalty of the welcome and the
earnestness of the citizens in impress
ing upon the visitors the reasons why
they should stay after the convention,
DR.. Giffin believed. were largely prompt
ed by business reasons.
He described in detail the wonderful
enthusiasm on the opening day. when
an address of welcome was made by
Mayor Phelan and kilograms read from
President Mckinley and the governors
of nine states. Each state delegation
had a separate and distinct yell of its
own, the doctor said, and ho startled
some members of the Congregati by
repeating the yell Of his party. 1t was
a weird sort of thing beginning with
"Hobble-Gobble. Razzle- Dazzle" and
ending in staCCato-lke "Rah, Rah,
Rah."
In referring to the immense throngs
of delegates who journcyed such a
great distance to attend the Conven-
ton. DIR. Giffn said: There must have
been some wonderful spiritual power
throbbinG in the souls of those leaguers
who journeyed thousands of miles in
the tOrturins heat of summer to attend
| this religious gathering"
In referring to the wonderful intenS-
tity of the convention, the doctor said;
THE convention was on fire with en-
| thusiasm. 4 steady tide of spiritual
| life ran through every session. There
was as much difference between the
| sessions of the convention and some
| Epworth league meetings | have at
| tended as there is between desert
and a plot Of irrigated land. There
was no spiritual lazinoss, but all were
alert and up and doing. 1t was a
| heaven-touched multitude, gathered
! together for high and holy purpose
SUGGESTIONS JOTTED DOWN.
Nearly every delegate had a note
book in his or her hand and a harvest
of suggestions was jotted down. The
delegates looked like an army come
to get fresh marching orders. One
would be inclined to look for enthusi-
aSm among a gathering Of younG
Methodists, but such enthusiasm as
! tNsns IiSf .t JNTat, t,,il
not be described.
IF there was intensity in the audi
ence there was more of it in the speak.
ers. l never heard so many splendid
addresses in my life. Each speaker
was what we used to call in the west
"A red hot talker.' Every man had a
purpose and came there to the gath.
cred throng of Christian workers or
that aim" The doctor referred in q
general way TO the influence of the
| convention.
Its influence, ! am sure said he
will he good and lasting. There are
some people who don't believe any,
thing does any good unless they car
see the good right off. These people
delight in calling themselves practical
call them phlcgmatic dun and cold
The convention just ended impaired
valuable information to thousands o,
Christian workers and cultivated ir
them a greater capacity for rGh'
Christian living 1t afforded thou
sands of young people the ability &
properly understand the greatness o
opportunity,
The convention took 10000 separate
members and temporarily fused then
into one. ] say that it is a good hin,