The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-07-28
WESTERN DEMOCRAT.
xQQCHARLOTTE.G
For the Wfstern Democrat.
THE YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION"

One of the nobleSt institutions in this
town, is the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation. The pious ingenuity of the good
has never devised an organization better
fitted to accomplish two great and lmpor-
tant ends, viz: the social, intellectual and
moral Improvement of its own members
and the temporal and spiritual welfare OF
those connected with it, yet i'll whose be-
half this organization ex@rts its influence.
There is such variety in is plans and III
its means of usefulness, that it Is practically
the ally of nearly every good enterprise
known TO society and to the church. There
is so much symmetry in its constitution
and such is the practicable working OF Its
different DEPARTMENTS of labor, that it is
capable of becoming the auxiliary to more
objects of philanthropy and religion than
any other society of which we have any
knowledge 1t has its committees Tor
seeking out and relieving the destitute; for
making the acquaintance of young men on
their first arrival in the town, for the pur-
pose of aiding them in finding employment,
and for the purpose of surrounding them
with moral and religious influences; it fur
nishes teachers to the Sabbath Schools; it
conducts strangers to the house OF God:
and, in q word, responsive to every call OF
benevolence and Christian zeal, this society
comes forward with all the alacrity and
artlor of its youthful yigor, with the offer
of its warm heart and strong arm, feeling
honOrcd in having its services accepted,
and dclighting TO render its efficient aid.
Such are It's relations to society at large,
such its external work.
As TO its inner life, we feel assured that
had the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton no other object tl.sn the improvement
of its own members, this alone would ren
der it worthy of the sympathy and support
of every youth of genuine feelings and hon
orable principles; for such is the nature of
its organization that it calls into play and
develops the finest social qualities of our
nature, it throws young men together in
such way as to excite the kindest interest
in each other, to soften and break down
prcjudices, aud to awaken sentiments of
mutual esteem and friendship.
Unlike other associations among young
men which sometimes lead to rivalries and
discord-to tie encouragement of coarse
and vulgar manners, to the indulgence of
n taste for low and degrading pleasures,
and the formation, perhaps, of dissipated
habits,-the intercourse which results from
hiS association is all elevating, pure and
refining. 1t tends to repress whatever is
rude, selfish, and sensual, and to give de-
velopment to all that is di,interestcd, gene
rous and manly; for around all of its meet
ings, even those that are merely literary
and most unreservedIy social, there is
thrown the gentle and sweetly constrain-
ing influence of our common christianity;
and in all the genial flow of youthful spirits,
in all the collision of mind with mind, while
there is everything in the ardor, and spirit
md glow of the intercourse to make it
plain that it is young mems association,
still it is never forgotten that it Is a young
mems Christian association. w.