Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
CHURCH Of CHRIST
ENDS CONVENTION
ATTENDED BY 10000
Final Session Held Last
Night in Washington
Auditorium.
DEDICATION OF EDIFICE
HIGH POINT OF MEETING
Delegates From 80 Countries and
All Parts of U. S. Were
Present.

u,
heading today for far scattered homes
to reassemble five years hence in Lei
cester. England, for their second world
gathering.
approximately 10000 delegates from
80 countries and all sections of the
United States attended the three con-
ventions of the Disciples of Christ,
bringing to c}-s last night in the
washington Auditorium one of the
most inspirational assemblies ever held
by any denomination in the National
Capital. Opening with the annual in
ternational and youth conventions, rep
resenting thousands of delegates from
the United States and Canada, the ses-
sions converged into a world conven-
ton for the last five days. Thirty five
countries were represented on the roll
call Of nations at this first world con-
vention which climaxed a year of OBJ
servance in honor of the 19o0th ami
versary of the Pentecost.
$4,000 at Dedication.
Constitution Hall, the Washington
Auditorium, and during the youth con-
vention, the Luther Place Memorial
Church, were required to accommo-
date the great congregations that at
tended the day and night sessions of the
Disciples. From spectacular viewpoint,
the eliminating feature of the conven-
tons was the sunrise dedication of the
great 81 100000 National City Christian
Church on Thomas Circle, when $4,000
people mased about the beautiful edi-
nee and lifted their voices in a swell
Ing chorus OF song and prayer.
Although resolutions bearing on Ma
tional Prohibition, world peace and
military training were adopted during
the course OF the conventions, these
played minor part in the general pur-
pose Of the great gatherings here. Far
more important to the delegates were
the discussions of Christian unity,
world missions, church education and
Kindred subjects.
OF major importance also were the
plans for an $8,0C5.000 pension reserve
fund for superanpaated preachers. This
Nationwide drive 10 which the WASH
1ngton conventioH gave impetus, will
be launched on November Is. Leaders
in the brotherhood stressed the pension
fund as necessary to revitalize the
preaching service and as constituting
q debt for past services which the
brotherhood was in honor bound to pay.
Final Session Last Night.
Despite the fact that many of the
delegates had left during the day, ap-
proximately 5000 attended the final ses-
sion last night in the Washington Audi
forum, where Jesse M. Bader of In
dianapolis, Ind, president Of the first
world convention, presided. A feature
of the closing session was the rendition
Of The Halleiujah Chorus from THE
Messiah" by the convention chorus of
800 voices, under the leadership of
Harrell Biard. Mr.. Biard, who had
conducted the nightly singing in Con-
stitution Hall, took the place of w.
e. Braithwaite, leader of the National
City Church choir, when the latter was
called away last night.
The principal speaker at the final
session was Rev. Hugh Mcclellan of
Winchester, KY, whose theme, Grown
Him Lord Of AL, !" stressed the influence
and importance of Christ in the world
of today. In this address he pictured
. humane, democratic Christ.
The broad democracy OF his begin
nings helped to shape the very form
and method of his teaching" said Mr..
Mcclellan. His message to humanity
was given in profoundly human form.
His teaching device was for the level
of the lowliest mind. Jesus discarded
the logic and distractions of the schools
and taught the people in parallels. Any
body can see from the mere forms of
jesus teaching that he loved people.
There was plenty of religion on earth
when Jesus came, but there was no hu-
manity. The first step in the redemp-
ton of humanity was Jesus revelation
that humanity was worth redeeming
The Son of Man loved humanity.
Draws ON Imagination.
"The influence of Christ is so mex
tricably interviewer in the warp and
wool of our civilization that to tear 1t
out would destroy the whole fabric"
Mr.. Mcclellan asserted. TRY in mag
nation to dissever Him from our cul-
ture and civilization. Think what art
and literature would be like without the
cleanness of Christian morals. Think
what the poor would suffer without
Christian benevolence. Picture a ma
ton of Christian homes"
Another speaker last night was a
late arrival, Rev. L. S. Prokhanoh,
president of the All-RusSian Evangelical
Christian Church. who gave a graphic
account of religious prosecutions under
the Soviet government.
THE atheists in Russia have for
hidden the teaching of religion to
youths under IL years OF age in school
building" he said.
He declared the atheists introduced
in Russia an uninterrupted week, abol-
ishing Sunday as DAY OF rest and
worship. They deprived our preachers
Oh btlGI OLCdA SdAAo, A.
result was that the members of churches
began to supply their preachers with
food, thus Strengthening the ties be-
tween the congrsg CATION and the preach
ers. When the atheists began to forbid
preachers to visit churches in their
districts, the people began to visit the
~reachers. In some PLACES to stop
preaching, missionaries were arrested
and Imprisoned" he explained, but
persisted in preaching, even in prison. "
Delayed in Germany.
The Russian prelate arrived only
Yesterday morning having been delayed
in leaving Germany, and came In time
for a RtxssiS4s. missionary meeting that
was being neld.
Mr.. Bader, the presiding officer. took
occasion last night to present to the
audience the many chairmen of local
committees responsible for the success
of the conventions and introduced also
the police and firemen who have been
in daily attendance and from whom the
delegates received kindly attention dur
ing their 10 days here.
The local committee chairmen pre-
scented were: Maj. w. w. Kirby, gen
eral chairman; Judge John II. Con-
naughton, vice chairman; Rev Earl
Taggert vice chairman; A. q. Bishop
treasurer; G. N. Williams, secretary;
MRS. Charles F. Kinchloe, Prayer Room
COMMITTEE Rev. Ira p. Harbaugh
chairman Registration Committee: Rev
Harvey Baker Smith, chairman Pulpit
Supply, Paul Moore. Publicity; N. r.