Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-07-08
6. E. CONVENTION
OPENSIN BALTIMORE
5000 Delegates Attend 22d Interna-
tiOnal Session.
ROOSEVELT SENT GREETINGS

Baltimore. July 6.-The formal open
ing of the 22d international Christian
EndeavOr convention took place In
Armory Hall. with about 5000 delegates
present and nearly all of the $4,000
seats in the vast auditorium occupied.
The hall had been ornately decorated
for the occasion. and the scene pre-
sented was one Of extraordinary pic
turesqueness and animation.
In the absence OF President Francis
E. Clarke, who is detained at home by
illness. Rev. Howard b. Grose. OF New
York, presided and opened the pro-
ceedings with brief and appropriate r3-
marks.
Treasurer Shaw, of the United So
ciety. read the following letter:
Oyster Bay. July 4. 1905.
Rev. Francis E. Clark. DID,. President,
United Society Of Christian En-
deavor:
am very sorry that 1t has been
found impossible for me to accept your
invitation TO address the Christian
Endeavor convention. But. will you
you permit me to send through you q
word of greeting to those assembled,
and to heartily wish them continued
success in the work in which they are
engaged?
The work of your society during the
quarter OF century of its existence
has been far-reaching In its effect for
good. To make better citizens, to lift
up the standard of American manhood
and wOmanhood. is to do the greatest
service to the country. The stability
of this government depends upon the
individual character of its citizenship.
No more important work can be done,
important to the cause OF Christianity
as well as to our national life and
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
After the singing of the doxology by
the great audience. and a prayer by
Rev. DIR. Floyd Thompson. of Philadel-
phia, there were devotional exercises,
including a brief memorial service foI
the late Secretary of State John Hay,
conducted by Rev. DR.. F. d. Power, OF
Washington. and the Christian En-
deavor rally song was sung by the
chorus as a welcome to the visitors.
Governor Edwin Warfield. of Mary
land. delivered an address of welcome
that was enthusiastically applauded.
In the absence of Dr. Clark, Rev
Dr. Smith Baker, pastor Of the Mother
Society Church." Williston Congrega-
tional church OF Portland. Me-, re-
sponded to the address of welcome In
behalf of the delegates.
This was followed by the anthem
1.-THE Heavens are Telling" by Haydn,
rendered by the convention chorus with
splendid effect. and conducted by r. A
Harris. of Baltimore
A proposal. originating outside the
officers of the United Society has been
made looking to the establishment OF
a memorial fund 'in grateful remem-
brance of what Christian Endeavor has
already done for the world. to aid II
to accomplish still more in the future
for Christ and the church. and espe-
cially in loving honor of DR.. Francis
E. Clark. the founder of this worlds
movement for the religious training OF
the young"
The suggestion Is that the fund be
known as the quartercentury memor.
ial fund. and that II be made up OF
contributions to average 25 cents Zone
cent for each year of the life OF the
society. reckoning from next year,
from each member of the organization.
AS the membership is in the neighbor.
hood of 100000. a fund of about 81.
100000 would be realized. II is sug
gested that the best plan for the in.
vestment of such fund would be the
erection of a building. part of which
would be rented for the purpose of
supplying income. and part used as In
ternational Christian Endeavor head
quarters