Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-02-12
STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENC

smithsonian on Tuesday evening last, the 9th
inst In order to give the reports Of the on
cars We have been obliged to defer the bro
csedngs to this late hour.
The services were opened with prayer BY
Rev John Berg, Of Baltimore; after which
the retiring president, z Richards, ESQ de-
Iiyered ais valedistory address. This was fsl.
lowed by the reports Of the librarian, treasu-
rer, and corresponding secretary, and the
Introduction of the president elect, o. O
Wight, Esq.
From these reports we learn that the a,,o.
citation has, among other things, established
Sunday school in destitute part of the city.
which 10 attended by nearly one hundred %
pills; also, weekly Bible class for young men
at their rooms, which is well attended. Daring
the last year, l48 names have been added IN
the list Of members, making in all sbou, AGO
During the past year, 433 books have been
added TO the library, making in all lab !:
there are also 1853 unbound magazines. &c.
and 224 pamphlets, making q total of g $50
books, &c, now in the library. In the pas,
year 1896 names have been registered in the
visitors books, showing an increase of 1924
over the preceding year. The receipts of the
year amount to SSOo 81, made up of dues, do
nations, DC The expenses for the same time
were 1855 72-thus leaving the association in.
debted to the treasurer for a small sum. which
will soon be paid.
conferation has been formed by the asso.
Citations Of the United States and the Prov.
inees There are now S43 sssociat in omar.
alton throughout Christendom.
After few appropriate remarks BY tho
President elect, the orator of the enca.;nn
Rev. Jas. A. Duncan Of this city was ;n,ro'
duced snd delivered an address worthy him.
sen ana 'ne occasion. an ABSTRACT of which We
-, Mr. ~. duncan commenced by remarkins that
the icea must ,,,recede the act. The flea
which preceded the formation Of the Young
men Nar.stian Association evidently was
1nsteS usefulness. The founders caught the
sPic OF christianity, and the Bible planted
% their hearts and minds the impulse that
preceded this organization. This is a guaran.
tee Of success. But the ide.. of the Associa
ton should be the idea Of each member. I
therefore propose to you as a motto both for
the Association and its member Individually
Mage yourself us.fa and you ,oiH SIC.
To be useful is to rightly answer the de.
msnds made on us by the laws Of God and
our own social happiness. Usefulness does
not oeperd on place or rank, but is the duty
oil all, and real life opens q field alrsad =
white unto the harvest
Look over the field Of life; have the wants
OF all men been met? Arc all tears viued
away Do hearts no longer blesI? Does
wee no longer lead her victims forth TO thu
sacrifice Is there naught else to do bu,
rest? No; human happiness is still in isop
sfdy, and society still needs men of honest,
generous sentiments and useful labors.
though, In this land, we arc exempt from
many evils common in other countries, there
Is still room for the most active benefcence
Our very privileges and immunities imrose
great response oilities upon us. In the enthu-
sIasn AID daring Of American Ike, there is a
great arena for usefulness. Men of practica al
Wisdom are the only ones capable Of giving
me conservatism necessary to our prosperity;
shsy guide the ship of State in the true chan.
Del, when without them the hurricane of party
strlie would hurry her Oh to the breakers and
leave her a shipwrsck
Ibis is the age for the practical man; use
ful, honest labor, in any department, is a, a
premium; distinction and power are the gifts
labor bestows OF ats devotees. Every one
should aim to be useful in every day life. il
can be done without the loss of any of the
moments devoted TO business Every man
cannot be Howard; but every man whether
IN the workshop, coanting-room, or Office, can
oe advancing the public good without inter
fering at all with his daily avocations. The
man IN steady, honest employ, is not an inert
material, but an active, positive force The
very existence Of honesty, integrity, and in
dustry does good.
One of the chief hinderances to usefulness
In this age is the haste used in despatchin9
every Find OF business, whether for ourselves
or otners This Is an age Of hurry, 40 matter
II the house is half built, you are in q hurry;
no matter II the cars do run of, you are in a
hurry, and so is the news that every BODY ia in
hurry to read. The printer reads the hur
lleoIy Hrltten letter In a hurry, and so prints
wrong In hurry, and hurries the newsboy
no nfr -
hurry sent IN the wrong direction Onr youpg
men hurry through their education, N hurry
INC business, anu In their hurry to make a
fortune, lose sight of truth, forget duty and
become worthless A thoughtful man, though
eengnted With the progress Of the age, cannot
IalI 10 notice that this haste Is injurious to
many valuable interests Of society.
be spoke Of the growing disposition to COM
pine enoIt IN almost every department, and
mGSs1' me tendency should be guarded and
guided. He did not think with some. that il
sasors OF want Of individual independence :;
Ou' 'nat II might be made the most resistless
source In the triumph Of truth. In thi. field
inenoshlps are formed, and moral and intel
Iectual strength concentrated Here can piety.
igy, ana resolution Of character be felt in
all Its vigor.
10 De useful, we must be sternly true An
,.onl man Is burden few like to have
A sneoSeuculS. NomuSt Also
De uhgent, We must not waste time talent.
money or opportunity; all have the means to
augment their own usefulness; instruction is
90. cor hntd to college walls, but can be gath
ereo from all sources it is not needful to use.
IeIness that you be a genius, nor is it a proof
OF daliness that you are not; though not
gnted With splendid talents, you may still
cast your mite into the treasury of human hap.
pinsss. Genius may fascinate, but fascination
Is not usefulness. Great talent must be an
piled to good purpose, or il will advance
wrong; II cannot be inactive. Talent occu-
PIES Its night position and its highest elevation
when identified with the best interests of man
but the possession Of great talent involves a
fearful responsibility. The parable of the
talents Is often reversed; he who has ten tai.
snis more often misapplies or covers them than
ne who has but one
when say, be useful and you will sue
eeed,' | do sot say that only the useful will
reach the gathering places Of transient honor,
out do soy, that none but the useful will
reach an envisble fame He is not successful
Nno merely heaps up treasure III the sordid
passion for wealth be the germ, the tree will
aufl aw1 - -...s = :. 60