The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-09
Iron THE INDEPENDENT PREss.1
Young Mems Christian AasooIse,o,.

aooFe named association would be of ser
vice amongst us.
The suggestion seems to meet with favor
and that it may be brought into more oen.
eral notice, allow Inc through your columns
to say few words on the nature and nur.
poses of the proposed society.
1t is we'll known that these associations
are widely extended throughout this coun.
try and in parts Of Europe they exist in
all the large cities and in many of the
towns and villages. A convention of dele.
gates from all the associations in the United
States aud Canada meets annually : il mat
last year at Montreal, it will NEE; this vear .
at Richmond this is a large and infuen.
t'ai body' composed Of tue most prominent
young men in tho country.
The otjectscontcmplated by these associa-
tons arc various; will state a few of them .
F.rst, they are designed to cultivate the
social element Of Our nature. Man was mad.
for society ii, not mere convenience that
induces him everywhere to combine for tho
accomplishment Of his ends it is nm in,
st'nct, necessity of his nature. Man ;s .
gregarIous being. hence, whatever evils NAV
result from mingling with his fellows. far
greater miscllicfs flow from reserve and ;so.
lat'on. Now, these societies draw ont anJ
cherish mans social principles, by brino;no
together in n familiar relation persons yieo
would not otherwise meet, except casually
and 'ntrequcntIv. Aud as our Thoughts and
feelings take complexion from the objects
presented to the mind, We are benefited
simply by the fact Of meeting for eotoJ
and noble end. The free and harmonous
Intercourse OF such an occasion cannot fail
to De both pleasant and profitable.
Another useful purpose accomplished by
these associations is this when stranocr
comes to the place, his acquaintance is
sought by committee appointed for the
purpose, he Is Mt once introduced amono
v'rtuous companions, he is under no temnt.
alton to seek society in tie haunts of vice
every assistance is rendered him in procu'
nng place OF business, and suitable board
ing house, and facilities are afforded for at-
tending whatever church he may prefer.
In the next place, these institutions are
designed to inform the mind intellectual
advantages are combined with social. Pub
lie meetings are held, at which ESSAYS arc
read, addresses a" delivered, and other lite.
rary exercises IRE engaged in. Members Of
the society, anal gentlemen from abroad are
ialti under contribution to furnish these in
tellcctual pleasures. The delivery of lec-
ture Oh some literary or moral subject, say
once month, would be of great benefit to
the community, and would SHED fresh lustre
on the "Attica of Carolina" We need a
higher degree of mental culture; letters
should be the charm and solace of every
treeman's leisure; literature should he al-
lowed to break the dull continuity of daily
toll. and to draw off for season the me.
chan'c from his shop, the merchant from his
ledger, the farmer from his fields, the phy
s'cinn from his saddle-bags and his scalpel.
and the lawyer from the irksome round of
professional drudgery in obedience 10 her
call, they should gather around her feet,
behold her snrpassing beauty, listen to her
enhancing words, bask i'll her bewitching
smiles, and yield themselves to the purest
and lottiest influence, which, aside from re-
ligion, strives to adorn earth and to elevate
man.
But we not only need wider cultivation
OF literature, we also need closer union
among its votaries many III this village
rursne these studies with ;ssiduous dcliyht.
tut it IS solitary enjoyment every mans
light is hid under busl,el there is no
diffusion of its rays.
This association will afford the OCCASION,
of meeting and of fellowship, and that in a
relation, which will communicate pleasure
to themselves and wholesome influence to
otl,era.
A reading room and library in connex-e
i'm cvtf ha
value as a source Of p,epta' in9n-77lr:7... .er.
But the hsa.tss D. v:&.:,c> =: =: :lror =, ..,s
iSsoias'ions; obey ...r.,. ,,,,,.. .. .eiirious
tatuFS: Sermons are preached before them
their requests and other religious meets
hgs are held, coextepsive with the associa-
fon, and equally segardless of denomina-
tional differences. Here we meet not as
members Of sect, but ms christians, upon
|the broad foundation of evangelical religion,
lin one common fellowship and urge an uni
ted resistance to irreligion and vice, an uni
lted effort in behalf Of virtue and pietv, An
iunited petition at tho throne of our common
Father.
SucI, is rapid sketch of these sinstitu-
tons it seems to me that they present
great and diversified advantages. They are
social in their character that the genial cl-
cments of our nature may Lc developed;
but they, are not only social, lest the inter
course Should degenerate into mere connivi-
ality. They are intellectual, that the mind
may be elevated and improved but they
are not simply intellectual, lest the unedu-
Gated should feel themselves excludeds Thew
are religious, in order ttat mans better ma;
ture may lind scope for exercise ;sbut they
are not entirely religious, lest some should
be debarred, whom it is warmly desired to
interest and 10 benefit, -
They are called young nfen'sassociations,
because the. young n,enA5e expected to- be
the active members. s!fhosa under forty
years are regular MEMBERSHIPS above that
age are hoporary members; so that in fact
no ageb bsyoad .I.at 6f oh;Itboo,i is excluded.
They ave scalled christian. associations,
befssss their general 1tsndehsy coinoides
with the inasence Of isellatsa and not be-
eauss every member isy6SpifA 70 be pso.
fsssor Of religice no ssea'steSt is applied :.
all who ARE nioIl and uprightin their dc:
llnPffr1onf oeo [ksSS,,nkaok a., so:o 4