The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-23

L
Yonng Mems Christian Association of Richmond.
vas appropriately and pleasantly celebrated. on
tuesday night last, at the Mechanics Institute
Hall.
At an early hour the spacious hall was wei, All.
cd with members of the Association and citizeps
generally, and with maidsns fair, and happy ma.
irons.
About o'clock, the President called the meet.
ing to order and introduced DR.. Nj. D. Hogs, who
opened the exercises with an appropriate prayer.
The President then congratulated the Associa.
tion upon the success which had attended its op.
| eratioDs, and concluded by introducing Dr. w. =.
Palmer, the Corresponding Secretary, who read
an abstract OF the annual report, which he had
prepared for the occasion. The report traced the
operations Of the Association, in its prayer meet.
ings, lectures. library, reading room, literary So
ciety, attendance upon the sick, and other works
of charity and bsuevolence during the year, and
appealed TO every member to put forth renewed
efforts to accomplish all the ends of the organizs.
tion.
Rev. James A. Duncan, on being presented, ad.
dressed the audience in a humorous and happy
strain, provoking frequent bursts Uf laughter By
ailusion and iilustration, not omitting, however
those grave suggestions which were appropriate
{. the occasion. The Association was commended
as promotive of a closer union among christians o
every name, and as sffordng large opportunity
for the useful employm Of every degree of tai
enf. The Reverend gentleman recited a fable oftbe
birds, and assumed to be the cuckoo Of the story
as-igning to the speakers to follow him the more
honorable distinction of Digh,ingales.
Rev. Mr. Peterkin followed, but insisted that.i
the last speaker and the President called him 8
nightingale, Intending therein to describe hi- mu
"icat tarns, they were emphaticalIy nlockin0
birds; hit that pleased the sujiet ce exceeding
y lie spoke OF the occasion AS an ''aHniversary'
suggesting tie flight OF another year. and remind
I'D the audience OF the solemn reflections such an
went ought To Inspire 1t WAS the anniversary OF
"Assrciation," of a "Christian Asscc ciation,-
the anniversary of ASS citation of Christian,
ung men, on which several points the speaker
d@e.I with much force.
The Rev. j Lansing Burrows came next, and 10
sisted that he was 10 nightingale, aud cited In
proof that early in his ministry he was compelled
to pitch the tune, and that while singing one
verse of Common Metre hymn, he begun on
Old Hundred The speaker bore testimony of the
Association as an agent of good to the young Of
the community, aLn as the promoter Of good will
amung Chris, ians of different names aud conciu.
ded by directing attention to new fields of useful
euteav0r upon which he though the members of
the Association ought to enter.
The President, warmly secoRded by the audience.
called out Or Hoge, who, Ginning in with the spi.
rir OF the hour, talked for fifteen OF twenty mi
nutes most genialiy, dwelling chiefly upon the
idea suggested by oae OF the speakers that female
iufusnce was not sufficiently enlisted, aud chow.
ing beautifully the Aecret charms by which wor
man wiel3s her sway over human society.
The President, rising, suggested thatthe clergy
had done their part and that lay represen tive
was desirable, mentioned Jpo. NJ Patton, Jr, E.a
who la response to loud calls from all paris of be
house arose, and after remarkiDg upon the dificu
ty OF speaking without subject, and calling most
pteousiy for au issue and opponent. entered upon
a lue of remark, which for twenty or twenty five
minutes, held every ear attentive.
When this speech was ended the President an
uounced that supper was ready, and invited the
the persons present to descend to the bsnq ueting
halt
The cloth was spread in the lower hall Of the
Institute. Two tables, exte nding the entire length
of the hall, had been prepared, the reom quite
handsomely decorated, and an abundance cf good
things provided. The tables but suficed for the
accommodation of the assembled guests, aud when
all had taken their places, the Divine Blessing was
implored by the Rev. Robert Ryland. after which
each individual began upon turkey saiad, oysters.
beef tongue, ices, cakes, jellies, &C., &C. just a.
fancy dictated Ti.us agreesby aud satisfact ctoriy
employed, We lett the company about q quarter 10
ii O'Clock, the younger para of the assembly feast
ing upon soft words aud sweet smiles as we'll, aud
We hear that 81 TO the cnd good feeling aud good
| feasting prevailed
The whole affair, begun, continued and ended,
was every way delightful. The Armory Band dis
coursed sweet music at intervals between the sew.
erai speeches, adding greatly TO the pleasure Of the
evening.