Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-06-10
T. p. A. CONVENTION.
lIeqates Arrive in Richmond on
sc Every Train.

va, June lo.-Wltn SIN
hundred delegates and visitors in the
citv and others coming in on special
trains from all parts OF the country,
the twenty-third annual convention
of the Travellers Protective Associa-
tion was started on lis way Monday
night with a monster lay service in
the Second Baptist Church, the adj
dress being delivered by George H.
Armstrong, of Philadelphia.
Long before the hour set for the
opening of the services last night,
delegates. visitors. local friends and
members of the church congregation
began 10 arrive and by 8 o'clock prac-
tically all of the pews were filled.
Chairs and benches were pressed into
service and rapidly filed. Before the
services opened many people had been
turned away and for half an hour af-
forwards disappointed ones were de-
MED admission for lack of space with
in the church.
The services were conducted al
most entirely by laymen, a number
of whom were in the pulpit. James
F. Ragland presided and conducted
the services, and pronouncing the in
vocation. GLOW Firm Foundation"
sung by more than thousand voices,
filed the church auditorium with its
music, after which Thomas Poin-
dexter conducted scriptural reading.
"The Sign of The Crossing" the
subject of Mr.. Armstrong; address,
was also the title of a solo composed
for the occasion by j. w. Cridlin, of
Post A, and sung by Haddon S. Wat
kins. Rev. J. j. Gravatt, chaplain OF
Post A, offered prayer after an IN
production by James D. Crump. Mr..
Armstrong delivered his address. Inc
value of character and the import
ance of giving thought to the safety OF
the soul were the main points brought
out by the speaker, VINO illustrated
his ideas with frequent stories OF
personal experience. Environments
he said, may explain much, but 1t Will
excuse nc man the failure 10 build a
pure and lofty character. Just as the
lily springs from the muck Of swamps,
So many fine characters have been
developed out of BAG environment
through faith and devotion to right
principles. Mr.. Armstrong spoke as
man to man in conversational tones,
driving home his chief lessons with
the proper gestures and the right in
Elections. He delivered no grafton, but
his appeal to men to "stop, look and
listen" and to heed the voice of the
inner conscience which is given as
guide to every man, made deep i'm
preston upon his auditors.
The jefferson Hotel, the headquar-
tens of the convention, was thronged
with delegates and their wives last
night. Two special trains from the
west were met by committees and the
arrival of these delegates at the no.
tel greatly increased the crowd, al
though many went straight to their
quarters in the other hotels. The ac-
commodations offered at all the hos
telries seemed to please the visitors
and many expressions of approval
were heard on all hands. The ind
cations are that the early predic-
tions of more than a thousand dele
rates and visitors being in attend
ance will be fulfilled. There were six
hundred or more in the city last
night and not more than half the ac-
credited delegates had arrived The
late corners, most of whom are en-
pected this morning, and their families
will greatly swell the number, SO that
when the first session is held this
morning after the parade at least
eight hundred delegates are expect
ID to be present.
A feature of the parade will be
an imitation sample case, made OF
corrugated pasteboard and filled with
samples of goods made in Richmond.
These cases will be delivered to all en-
ccpt Richmond delegates and covered
with the hotel labels and "Made in
Richmond" label.