Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-13
Two Thousand People Attend Opening sss-
sion at the Auditorium.
ATTENDANCE NcREAsEsATE EACH MEETING
Dr.. 0Onlsy of First Church Delivers Elo-
qusnt Address of Welcome
Or, HENSEN OF PROVIDENCE RESPONDS
spokane wants Next Convention and
Wants TO Make scope OF the
OrEaniERtion World
wide.

Fully 1900 people assembled at the Audi
torium yesterday morning To participate in
the opening services of the fifteenth in
ternatonal convention OF the Baptist
Young Peoples Union of America and 1900
OF these were delegates. The convention
started OF under the most ausplcious cir
cumstances. a refreshing rain tempered
the heat during the day and some une
faceuously remarked, Good Baptist
weather" and another suggested that even
Colonel Welsh had co-operated toward the
success of the convention, for, indeed, the
city extended a cordial welcome and the
banners of the organization fiuttering all
over the city told In eloquent terms to tho
visitors who had come from east and
west and north and south. that they we're
heartily welcome. The sessions will con-
tlnue throughout the week. Other dele
gates are arriving.
The formal opening exercises were pre-
ceded by short musical program, given
by the general chorus Of 800 voices under
the leadership OF Prof. ID. B. Towner of
Chicago who will have charge of the
musical services during the entire con-
vention and who expects to increase the
chorus to 400. A short praise service fol-
lowed Rev. r.. c. Lansing OF Omaha
gave a scripture reading from Isaiah
xxxv, following IL with the opening
prayer. The chorus then sang Joy 20
the World" with magnificent effect, in
which the great audience Joined.
President John II. Chapman OF Chicago
then assumed the chair and said: "Friends
and Convention Workers of the Baptist
Young Peoples Union of America: We
are glad to meet here in this beautiful
city of Omaha, We have come here TO
take possession of the wild and woolly
west. We have come TO testify to the
beauty and hospitality of the city Of
Omaha and are amazed that we have not
visited you before in the fifteen years OF
our organization. Omaha, lying on the
border land between the valley and the
mountains of the great west, is the
verltable meeting place of valley and
mountains Here, once, was the home OF
the Indian. the wandering prospector and
miner and farmer. Nearly everything has
met mere excepting otr organization ona
we are glad that we have come.
Tribute TO Distinguished Dead.
The speaker then paid a tribute TO several
Of the prominent workers OF the organiza-
ton that had died since the last meeting
Of the union at Detroit, two years ago.
and then formally declared the convention
open and ready for business
The provisional program as prepared by
the local committee was then adopted by
a unanimous vote for the government Of
the convention until the committee on
program, yet to be appointed, had pre-
pared it's report.
/ More music followed by the chorus. after
which Rev ]. w. Conley Of the First
Baptist church OF Omaha delivered the
address of welcome. He said:
christians, Delegates and Friends OF
,1afa TTr.sra
of America; am very glad
to represent an institution that
has had from its beginning 50 worthy a
representative as its president John II.
Chapman Of Chicago. II is my honor and
privilege IN welcome you in behalf OF
Omaha. South Omaha and Council Bluffs,
the Tri-cities OF the west For we have
tried and tried again 10 secure this con-
vention for Omaha. and have at last won
our reward There is a significance in the
names of these three cities; Council Bluffs
is the Council city; South Omaha. the
Magic City and our own Omaha the Gate
City OF the mighty west. The gate OF
opportunity opens to the west at our
portals with marvellous empire extending
! toward the setting sun filled with possi
, bihties and tremendous opportunities fol
the enlargement Of the kingdom OF God
We bid you welcome TO the banks OF Mis-
souri, river-the Big Muddy. But this II
, a misnomer II is not mud. but sand,
fine quality of sand, predigested sand
which II sent out over the country woult
beat any breakfast food on the market
We drink Of this water. sand and all
Do not be afraid OF II. Drink IT, It viii
Z do you good.
welcome 20 Five Million.
I'VE bid you welcome young people, a
the representatives OF 5000 churches. witt
Z a membership of 10000. Our union ha'
its origin in a splendid purpose. a well I'M
ished purpose for the cause OF the Master
It is a magnificent organization, with II
forces all united as a well equipped arm!
for the cause OF the gospel. We welcom
you because Of the breadth OF your broth
d erhood. from our own American union an
y the splendid provinces OF Canada. all o
d whom are assembled on this platform
% bringing together the two greatest nation
a Of earth under the banners OF the Unio
i Jack and the Stars and Stripes. These tw
l. flags symbolic the whole world. In tn
!. west we are accustomed TO large distances
L and thus we emphasize the command o
r going into all the world and preach tn
= gospel everywhere. The time is comm
when not only all OF America. but All tn
world, will be assembled under the banner
!. OF such organizations as this. We welcom
n you because you come with the key-wor
;; OF power. II is natural that civilizatio
u should move forward. Jesus said all powe
!. is given unto me- Let US go forth. there
fore, girded for great things for the king
y dom OF God. l welcome you IN the nam
/. OF the business interests OF Omaha.
N I'VE bid you welcome TO Nebraska sun
p, shine. 10 our warm breezes, for II Is thi
weather that makes we Nebraskans smil
J. with a smile that won't come on, hecaus
r Il is making Nebraska corn. Again I wei
~ come you, and let IS all go forth 10
c larger work and more efficient work In IN
j kingdom Of Cod
"JeEua Hath the Power"
m The chorus then sang Jesus Hath th
Power" which Is 70 be the rallylng son
Of the convention and In which the vai
J. audience joined with enthusiasm.
Rev l.. l.. Henson. ID. D.. Providsnc,