Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-01-16
DISCOURSE
B,ors the Young Mems Christian Association Of Rieh
,S0nd, 90 The Ethics Of Christianity.
ny wN a. RtyEs rSo

B.fors n, Young Mems Christian Ar'ocation Of Reh
monS, he Efhic, Of Chriaianty.
prwN. &C. RNEs, rse.
GESrLE,EN,-ln accepting the invitation with which
YOU honorcd deliver the Introductory Lecture OF
YOUR course tor the present winter, moved by All
humble desire, aud what seemed Ia duty, cas-,
in ny mite, however small the advancement Of the
high and holy objects OF your Association without consul
ting either my strength my leisure in both Of which
deeply sensible Of NV deficiencies To numerous
calls Il make public addresses with which INV iclloN
citizens in different quarters OF the country have honored
me, have excused myself these grounds but when
yours came felt that there any in which
honest zeal could atone for the ability and
which word in season.. with whatever little preparation
spoken. NIGH be productive of g~oi that of At,
Association just starting into eAistcuce with unobir.
Svc benevOcncc equal to the purity and moral excel.
vncc of its aims. There is but little danger lack of
abe and gifted orators in the field at politics OF public
I Improvements. OF agricultural exhibitions, while
50 wide popular attention continues be directed
them and all of them have prizes of one sort or an
other dispose but enterprise Christian phi.
Anthropy, pursuing the noselcss of it, way
anid the quiet scenes OF social and domestic life and iul
filling its mission of doing good in the absence all
public excitements seemed to invoke by special claim
the services OF rolieers in field where Though the har.
vest truly is plenteous, the laborers few"
The primary object OF your Association gentlemen
a. learn from your prospectus, ~ ITO bring young
under religious aud moral influences, seek them out
on their arrival IN your City, aud TO invite them
social communion with your members, furnish them
both attractive cdifying place resort in your
Reading and YOUR Library. and TO surround them
With those happy and Christening ties of vrtuous lriend
ship which supply, tar possible the place of the do
nestle hTeside. aud have been found IN, best
preservaiiveS of youth from dissipation and vice IL
ht conjunction with this the primary design of Your
ginizaticn the general aim OF your Association uu
destand i by every species OF good works by example
and by preccpt promote the influence of Christiau
sympathy and religious principle tie hearts and con
duct OF in AL the relations of life For thcs, noble
and lofty purposes YOU bring into efficient aud united
acuon the energies oI YOUTH OF vigorous manhood and
Of Christian brotherhood embracing within your Associ
alton, side 10y side members of every religious denomia.
ton and employing in YOUR work all the FRESHNESS, and
vivacty OF the human faculties up the limit of middle
age. more powerful and praiseworthy instrumeuSly
fog good i impossible conceive; aud l. gentlemen
having passed the age for active memb, rSip in YOUR
communion, but not trust for hearty sympathy your
enterprise, 20 bid God speed ia their yr-
tuous abors TO the Young Mems Christian Association of
Richmond
OF all the agencies which tine inventive bcneacence of
the has put IN motion, none, must say appear me
hopco OF the highest utility the Young Mems Chris.
tiAn Associations which, taxing their origin only
short years ago, have already rapidly multiplied in
country which eyoys the blessings OF civil and religious
liberty. Youthful energy, gentlemen is in itself great
power 10 whatsoever object directed But when
impelied by the strongest and the stcadest OF an
principles oi human action, OF religious dl;y
and directed to the highest OF all objects human pur
suit, "pvcc earth and good will men, aud when
IT. efforts combined and Sysematised by orgauiza
unn and concert, there i nothing humanity possible
which accomplish You yourselves have recent.
iy exhibited, and nohly exhibited striking evidence OF
the salutay efficiency OF such power moment OF the
deepest public CONSERVATION and distress When lately
the angel OF death Nas lowering sister Cities
with awful ami relentless doom which has no parallel
ia the ans Of suffering humanity and when the very in
tey the public sympathy dl-lrned il of the power of
useful action, your Association promptly forward
lead the work OF public charity, ad in few short hours
los its Organization aud benevolent ACTIVITY raised su
-luta fund for tine relief tar any relief was within
The compass OF human means OF our afflicted towcitizens
This good deed, Ecutemeu OF the rsuit~ vi your
Christian associations and however your deicacy mi ght
wish 70 keep 1t from public notice be forgotten
n aiN just historical estimate OF the merits OF institutions
Of which J. one.
In this connection the mind Is led irre,i.iibly to
comparison between such associations yours, ami
those morc fashionable ones, which borrowed rom the
luxurious capitals OF tar old world, are taking root in
SOME of our larger cities under the denomination OF
Clubs or Cus Houses. Which Of these Clubs, this
Ga. Other side ul the Atlantic, have ever bc thought
tu,--ig ia the midst of their riotOus living of visit.
E tle clothing the naked, feeding the hungry and
destitute No. gentlemen while yours i the luxury
90 u'E good luxury twice blessed, him that gyctI
and Liam that receyet theirs Is the luxury Of cosby and
.-atc viauds. uIury!beginniug and ending in them
selves 90 the qualification OF the lower part their own
uate-, aud often dsqualyng them ior those higher du
ties which belong 10 the moral constitution OF mall
While your Association has been exercising its guardian
in the preservation OF human LIE have recently
OF these modern clubs true TO what the Poet say,
81 Clubs of another kind, typical OF strife the scene
OF mortal quarrel which, the bloody aDitrainen the
duel, hsI Wr nigh led 10 the destruction OF human
these forms o youthful association il best fitted to advance
the Ot social and Intellectual refinement as vol A.
the vital interests Of private aud public happiness For
one gentlemen, who has q litile oi human life
and whom DAYS observation has convinced more and
that the family all aul the amenities female So
cety-re he true crsrs az man, hope may be plrloed
ior utterns Tie wish that spurious aud degenerate modern
Invention calculated 10 temp him away from these best
nurseries and schools Of virtue, chyar, and usefulness
all never tser root 100 the primitive and uu-oph,tcitci
soil n Virginia Manner
...r. eel. q .sY..-
objects % yog Association which m the first article OF your
Constitution althoustiveiy declared to be he pro
motion OF Evangelical frsiO the cultivation of CAusiu
sympathy, dud tine improvement Of the mental aud spirit
ua condition OF young mem: would not be Lcconin,
iu m", nDr wouli il be appropriate this occasion To
speak oi religion In iis SOLEMN bearing, the infinite s
sues of another world. But this / NAV say tia, no one
who reflects with the least degree Of seriousness the un-
tu,e and condition Of mat. tail recognize 10 a. h-
/ ciiri aud highest coucernmeut \ being gifted
Ell with such large and wonderful capacities-
Thro n.c and death 10 dart his piercing eve
With thoughts beyond the limit Of his frame
. or 10 borrow the language % inspiration itself whom
God hathnade little lower than the auges and crowned
with glory aud worship such Being have been
intended 70 fret Bis busy hour on this traory stage and
then, like the beasts that perish, sink into anuhaon for
ever No there is divinity within" that tell, w. to
such Being must bee reserved final and higher state in
which Sill he taken Oftlc use of thee. mobile
aui precious talents and Dee who is entrusted with them
will ne rewarded according the manner u which be-
has employed them.
Else wherefore
lu mortal b0som- tai- uuqucuChcd hope
That breaius from DAY to day suJllaer things
And muCi- pOs.r--iou.
And yet with these lofty capabilities ofhuman nature are
combined 20 much Of weakness iuHrud'y aud corruption
the consequences OF opO.tacy, that man Is evci
found prone n the OF probation in which D.,
Is pIcrl here and requires 90 the bcniu.n auhort,
OF th,' gracious Revelation which brought , aud iu
mortality TO life, with thc solemn sanctions Of the hna
judgment, a. couatcrvml this dcgcucracy.
Lctyiu. % the Sacred Desk the Office Of unfolding
these mDmeutOu- truths, propose, gentlemen. 10 the o
seryaDn. shall submit 90 YOU, % speak only 0f the
lutry aud important influence Of the religious prime
p.cs which t - the object Of your Assertion 10 pfo
mote, the couuuct Oi the affairs OF this world Ii Il
not uncommon error, even Boo these day- o. consider
Christianity principle shut up, for the most pant
BOO our own breasts, consisting mauy IN certain melt,
acts Of worship aud peutsncc and having but little 6,
DO with the practical concerns OF this ilc II wa. one ID
the chei grounds OF the attacks directed against DO i th
earlier age represent system Of gloomy and n.
ceuc aJstncuou from toe bu-iucts Oh Gle WOId al,
those WHO would uHrrow the pirrr, of s influence now
by excluding II from the domain Of d4ly ari active Uf,
but return however uncod-ciOuy 90 them-eiye. 20 th