Evening star., 1903-07-16
LEAGUERS IN DETROIT
FIFTEEN THOUSAND AT OPENING
OF CONVENTION TODAY.
Addresses of Welcome Delivered to
Enthusiastic Hosts by Speakers
From Many Sections.

DETROIT, Mich, July 16.-Every incom-
ing train through the night brough: in its
quota to swell the hosts of Epworth
Leaguers and hundreds more arrived on
morning trains. both regular and special.
until when the sixth international conven-
ton opened this afternoon there were, 1t
is estimated, 1900 fthe leaguers in the
city.
The convention was opened at 2::s0 o'clock
this afternoon with three great meetings,
one in Tent Ontario, at the corner of 4th
and Lafayette avenues. one in the De-
troit Opera House and one in the Central
M. E. Church.
Each meeting followed identically the
same observation-disclosures of welcome, re-
sponses and keynote address. The large
chorus, which was organized among the
local singers to furnish the music for the
convention. was divided and one-third of
under the leadership of Evangelists John
Hills, ]. NJ. Black and Charles d. TILL
man.
Weather Was Perfect.
Rev. Albert Carmen Of Toronto. Ont,
presided over the meeting at Tent Ontario,
which was well filled when he introduced
Rev. John Handley of Long Branch, N. j.,
who opened the session with devotions.
Mayor William c. Maybury welcomed the
delegates who attended this meeting, and
Rev. w. H Shier, D. D.. presiding elder
of the Detroit conference, followed with an
address of welcome on behalf of the local
Methodists. Mr.. N. W. Rowell Of Toronto
responded to the welcoming addresses, af-
ter which the keynote address was deliv-
cred by Rev D. G. Downey of Brooklyn,
N. Y. A gentle breeze kept the flags in
the tent futtering throughout the meeting
and tempered the rays of the sun that beat
down on the canvas.
Bishop Earl Cranston, D. D., LII. d..
presided ever the Central NJ E. Church
meeting as chairman, and Rev. James
Potts of this city made the welcoming ad-
dress. 1t was responded to by Rev. S. J.
Herben Of New York, and the keynote
address at this meeting was made by the
Rev. j. E. Wilson Of Jacksonville, Fla.
"Waiting and Working"
The Detroit Opera House was crowded
when Rev. H. w. Featherstun of Hatties-
burg, Miss, the chairman of the meet
ing, presented Rev. Alfred Brown of Wind
sor, Ontario, who invoked the divine bless
ing. Gov. A. I. Bliss, himself a prominent
Methodist, then welcomed the leaguers to
the city and state. Rev. George Elliott
followed with a welcome on behalf Of the
MethodistS of the city. Rev. II. NJ. Du-
bose of Nashville, Tenn, general secretary
of the Epworth League of the NJ. E. Church
South, responded to the welcomes. The
livered by Rev. William Sparkling of To-
ronto. The watchwOrds of the convention
are waiting" witnessing and working
and the speakers in their keynote addresses
followed out in general way the ideas
represented by these three watchwords.
A number of the leaguers from Illinois
and New York who arrived after midnight
last night were compelled to sleep in the
Central NJ. L. Church. When day broke
some 400 were sleeping on the cushions in
the peWs. 1t was so late when their trains
arrived that the entertainment committee
could not send them to their sleeping places
and they therefore made the best of the
situation and camped in the church.
Washington Represented.
Two special trains arrived from Chicago
this forenoon and 800 western New York
delegates came in on the steamer Eastern
States from Buffalo. Washington's dele
cation of 100 also arrived this morning.
Several more special trains are due during
this afternoon and evening. League Off
Gals predict, on the strength of the heavy
early arrivals, that the total registered at
tendance will exceed the record made two
years ago at San Francisco Canada is
already represented by several hundred