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— VOLUME XC-—NO. 49. SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1901. PRICE FIVE CENTS. GREAT EPWORTH LEAGUE CONVENTION FORMALLY OPENS ITS SESSIONS WITH. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT PAVILION 5 '.I.‘,' ~i8-17¢9 [ —— LEAGUE SPECIALS HAVE ALL ARRIVED Duties of the Reception Committee Having Been Discharged Zealous Aids Are Withdrawn From Ferry ITH the arrival of the last league special train yester- dey morning the convention workers settled down earnest- ly to the performance of the tasks allotted them. By noon ell save a few stragglers hadarrived in the city and the four days’ sessions of the n were duly inaugurated. specials to arrive yesterday reached the Oakland mole at 6 a. m. They brought about 150 delegates, all be- ing from the Middle West. An hour later rty of seve nine Epworth workers came in. - At 11 o'clock the Ore- rain brought in ninety-two leaguers Sacramento and other s. They were accorded he first another the from California the usual greeting by the Oakland detail p committee and sent with loud huzzas. This party to arrive via Oak- e reception he bay and Townsend streets de- numbering in all some came in from the southern A few of these were Sorralls, who was in at that er assistants at 3 o’clock, of note being expected Miss r. rman Waste of the recep- ee called in all members of at the ferries, with the excep- of two or three, who were to remain belng of service to belated leaguers who might be destrous of information. The street railway companies generously ac- corded all persons wearing the conven- tional league reception cap free transpor- tation to all parts of the city. Police Render Good Service. The members of the reception committes at the ferries as well as at the Townsend- street depot are desirous of expressing their thanks to the police and other public officlals for courtesies extended them dur- ing the trying hours of the past three days. The police especially assisted the committees in every possible way and their efforts are highly appreclated. All persons who expect the arrival of friends from the East and who are de- sirous of hearing from them are directed to call at the registration booth at the Pavilion for information. A complete reg- ister of all the league arrivals will be is- sued probably to-morrow. Chairman Kingsbury is rushing that work with a large force of assistants. Last night near- ly 13,000 visitors from all parts of the Union had registered their names. Streets Crowded With Leaguers. The effect of the influx of leagyers into San Francisco is noticeable in the con- gested state of travel along the principal thoroughfares. Market street was crowd- ed yesterday with leaguers, all of whom announced their affiliation by wearing the Epworth badge, together with ribbons bearing the names of their respective OPENING SCENE AT MECHANICS’ PAVILION OF THE GREAT EPWORTH LEAGUE CONVENTION YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND PORTRAITS OF BISHOP JOYCE AND SECRETARY BERRY. ING WAS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE EVER HELD IN THE VAST STRUCTURE. States. Especlally in the vicinity of the Pavilion is their presence felt, and the merchants in the neighborhood are reap- ing a harvest in consequence. The events of the opening day of the great convention were the praise services at the principal churches in the morning, the missionary meeting in the art gallery of the Pavillon at 1:30 o'clock, and the formal opening in the main hall of_ the Pavilion at 2;30 o’clock. The vast edifice was crowded to the doors and a marked interest in the proceedings was manifest- [} [1 [l ] . ) 9 [) [) oo, E3 THE IMMENSE GATHER- ed. In the evening there were sessions at the Pavilion, Alhambra, Theater and Met- ropolitan Temple. Mail at the Pavilion. The accumulation of mail matter at the Pavilion is enormous. The malfl force, consisting of J. G. Daub, Frank Isaacs and J. F. Mayer, finds its hands full in de- livering mail matter. The arrivals Wed- nesday were so numerous and the demand for malil so lively in consequence that for .3 a time there was a blockade. The force was equal to the emergency, however, and all applicants were served to the sat- isfaction of those concerned. The visiting leaguers have been notified that all their mail will be held at the Pa- villon for delivery until the close of the convention. All those who except mall to reach the city after their departure are requested to leave their names and ad- dresses 5o that it may be forwarded to their homes. OPENING SESSION OF CONVENTION Delegates Are Eloquently Welcomed by Governor Henry T. Gage, Mayor J. D. Phelan and Bishop Hamilton HE Epworth League Convention formally opened its deliberations at the Pavilion at.2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The open- Ing was an auspiclous one and tha spectacle, because of its varie- gated aspects, was one which will long be remembered - by the 10,000 people who thronged the immense structure at that hour. It was a remarkable gathering, not ex- celled even by the Christian Endeavor meeting of '97, which. greeted Chairman Thomas Filben of the general committea when, at 2:30 o’clock, he arose and form- ally called the convention tg order. Be- fore him, masséd in solid phalanxes, were 9000 leaguers, representing almost every State in the Union, and among them many distinguished workers in the cause of Christ. All wore the'league badge and here and there pennants of red, white and orange fluttered merrily. Above was a canopy of the Stars and Stripes, from which hung festoons of ferns and roses, from the center of each of which massive bouquets of flowers were suspended. The gallery rails were similarly adorned, the distinguishing feature being the league shield, bearing the letters “E. L.” and two American flags, hiding the base of the roof arches. Many Ministers on Stand. The speaker’s stand was crowded with visiting ministers, all Epworth workers from all parts of the Union. These wera ranged directly beneath the grand chorus and on either side of the console. The vocalists were massed in the rear be- tween the divided organ to a-height con- siderably above the level of the zallery floor. The sounding board bore in letters of flaming crimson the inscription *“1901— Our Chief Alm Missions—1901 The ladies comprising the chorus appeared for the greater part in white gowns, and with their handkerchiefs, which were freely used in greeting the State and exec- as well as the chairmen of the general and muslc committees, a charming sight. When Chairman Filben of the general committee and W. H. Waste, chairman of the reception committee, appeared on platform in advance of Go there was a salvo of appla waving of snowy handkerchiefs, in which the entire audience joined Church Dignitaries Appear. The Governor bowed his acknowledg- ments and took his seat behind the ros- trum. A moment later Mayor Phelan ap- peared. In succession appeared Bishop I W. Joyce, president of the. Epworth League: Bishop John W. Hamilton of this city and the several ministers who were to officlate at the exercises. All were greeted with characteristic warmth by the assembled thousands. The proceedings began with the singing utive presented the nor Gage, e and wild Continued on Second Page.