The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-25

Fitchburg, Oct. 24.-The annual con-
vention of the Young Mems Christian
Association of Massachusetts, and
Rhode Island opened this afternoon,
and the promise is good for an excep-
tionally good session. While the au-
diences were not as large as at the
Fall River conference last year, over
100 delegates had registered last night
and many more are expected today.
The headquarters of the convention
are in the Fitchburg Y. M. G. A., which
is admirably adapted for the purpose.
Its several rooms, which all open into
the central room, are arranged for the
convenience of the delegates. The
credential committee, of which Gem
eral Secretary C. c. Miles of the Wor-
cester association is a member, has its
stand here, where each delegate regis
tiers and is assigned to lodgings
The opening services were held in
Christ Church, which is next door to
the Y. M. C. A. Most of the sessions
will be held in the First Baptist
Church, which is less than six blocks
away on the other side of the street.
The convention opened at 2.45 o'clock.
The features of the day were the quiet
i hour service conducted by DR.. Tom
lxins of Philadelphia, the address by
Dr. A. A. Berle of Boston, at the ban
quet and the evening addresses by DR..
Shaw of New York.
The purely devotional quiet hour
service seemed to impress deeply those
who attended. DIR. Tomkins spoke
earnestly and impressively of the
magnificent power and influences
which come with entire conservation
and self-surrender. His presence and
the tones of his voice impart a rever-
entail feeling and the spiritual power
of his meetings is most marked.
DIR. Berle struck a responsive chord
in demanding that the gospel be
preached as fact, and not as theory.
DR.. Shaw spoke great truth when
he lamented the absence of the pas
sion for souls IN the Christians OF
today
Among the Worcester people present
were General Secretary c. G. Miles,
Assistant Secretary w. B. Norris,
Boys Secretary o. E. Bourne, Henry
Brannon, who was member OF the
nominating committee in the afternoon
business meeting; W. H. Dean, W. G.
Hall, president of the Worcester Poly
technic Institute association, and sew
eral other Tech students.
The convention opened at 2.45 O'Clock,
with a purpose meeting led by Henry
the state executive committee. The
attendance was not large, as many Of
the delegates did not arrive until later.
| Mr.. Moore gave an earnest talk on
the need of personal conservation. He
pointed out what the purpose of an as
ISOLATION man should be to influence
others for good.
At $3.50 o'clock the convention was
| organized. DIR. James Ross, president
| Of tIn association
elected president. The other officers
elected were: Vice presidents, F. L.
| Fish Of Taunton, Henry White Of Cam
bridge. w. r. Davis Of Bristol, r. l.,
/ w. S. Ward Of Athol, J. H. Balch, Jr.,
Of Newburyport, F. E. Fits of Somer-
Vile; temporary secretaries, g. w.
! Penniman of Clinton and ]. Percy
Roberts of Boston; temporary bust
ness committee, George Fl. Shaw of
Middleboro and Harry e. Hodsman of
Haverhille.
After the elections, DR.. Ross took the
! chair and made a short and appropri-
ate speech. He expressed his wish
that the Fitchburg convention might
| be the most successful ever held, and
said that, with the hearty co-opera-
ton of the delegates he thought it
| could be made such.
At o'clock a quiet hour service was
! conducted by Rev. DR.. Floyd w. Tom
kins of Philadelphia.
J At 5.15 o'clock an informal reception
was held in the First Baptist Church.
At o'clock a banquet was given by
/ the Womens Auxiliary in the vestry.
1t was a very pleasant affair." The ta-
| bles were tastefully arranged, and the
| viands from the turkey to the ice
cream were heartily relished by the
hungry delegates
| A large and efficient corps Of walters
were in attendance, and left no ones
wants be unsatisfied. The Y NJ. c. A.
Orchestra played at intervals, adding
much to the enjoyment of the occasion.
Two selections were also given by the
Mendelssohn Quartet.
DR.. James Ross presided at the af-
ternoon's speaking. He said Fitchburg
was a city well adapted to convention
purposes, and always willing to receive
them. He introduced Mayor Charles A
Rabbit, who welcomed the convention
in behalf of the city. He said that
Fitchburg had had five or six conven-
tons during the last few months,
which had proved of much good to the
city.
He thought the Y. NJ. C. A. would do
the same. 1.-THE Y. NJ. c. A. he said,
"enlarges, ennobles and broadens all
life. 1t develops all good powers and
influences The character of nation
cannot stand still any more than the
people in it. The last half of the 18th
century saw the rise of the commercial
spirit, which is only another name for
lust of wealth. Now the church and
home and school are combined in such
organizations as yours. which is fur
nishing to the world manly men to
combat commercialism and other
wrong tendencies. 1 point with pride
to our Y. NJ c. A. and our Total Alb
stinence Society. Long life to your no.
BILE Efforts
DR.. Ross introduced as the next
speaker, Rev. w. o. Conrad, pastor OF
the Rollstone Congregational Church,
as representing the clergy Of Fitch
| burg. He said in part:
q am one of the Oldest ministers in
this city in point of service. That
might indicate that ministers here do
not stay a great while" Mr.. Conrad
said he had been in Fitchburg for five
years. He said that the harmony now
existing between the denominations of
the city had been brought out in part
! by the Y. NJ. c. A.
He continued. I'VE believe in the
saliva tim of Young men. salvation for