Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-05-30

the cause of christianity; and its future ca
reer we have reason to believe, will, under .
the blessing Of God, be productive OF vet !
greater things for the religion Of Christ and 7
the glory of his Gross.
The following is the
RRroRT or rnR PRESIDENT
FOURTH ANNUAL REpoRT or rnE lREsipsNr
THE YouN0 MEN's CHRISTIAN Association
OF CENTRAL paEsByTERlAN CuuRcn.
MADE MAY IL, 1862.
Gentlemen Of The ioumg mems Christian A'o'
ton:
The seventh article Of your Constitu-
tion specifies us one Of the duties cf your rte.l
dent, that he shall present at the annual meeting
of the Association, written report Of its doinfs
and progress during the year. Ii is for lhr
purpose of reading this my report, that anu
before you this evening.
The report on this occasion will necessarily lie
very brief The year that is gone has been
crowded with events OF great and stirring intfl.
est that il has passed without our being cou-
scious OF its progress such year. we have
never seen before, and God grant, that neither
we OF our children may ever see such an one
again.
Yet, in these days Of heroism and deeds ut
daring in the fields Of battle, where the world
l
Fathers of the Revolution have been thrown II
the shade by the noble sons Of those glorious
sres: when the clash OF arms, the grOans OF the
wounded, and the shtieks OF the dying, iil our
ears and the sacrifice Of human life is rated "A
most christian virtue when our minds are
absorbed and constantly On the stretch with eNch
days particulars and details of the last great
fight il is refreshing to turn aside to the cOn-l-
leratiou Of the loings Of an Association whose
U akt t.rff m "a pNp Nas uf ID.
ments of a more true and elevated heroism, TAO.
raj power and conservation
We are here to commemorate the Fourth An
niversaty OF cur AssC claii1n. The yenr just
past, opened as you well reeolleci, amid clouds
I aud darkness. with scarcely CLEAN of light or
: hope to cheer US ou onward course Our
business was prostratid, aud many to whom We
had heretofore looked for pecuuiary aid III our
undertakings of beneyoience, were rendered IN
able to lend the helping hand before so freely
offered Our minds were filed with doubts AMI
fears for our country, We knew not what u day
might bring forth. and our only hope was in the
justice Of cur cause, and our consolation Vas
our faith that the truth was mighty aud wru 4
prevail. The whole year has been Que OF great
distraction mud excitement Rnl it will not be
wondered ut If in the tremendous current ot
events passing around Us, We have been carried
aside from oar usual even aud uulislurhed
course, and have not been able TO accomplish as
much as We would have lone unlec other and
more favorable circumstances.
Yet Am happy TO be abie to say 10 you tbn'
amid all these distracung sud discOuragng ec-
currenees, our Association has been enabled to
maintain its ground, and in all its departments
of usefulness an unhagging interest has been
preserved. Especially is this true in regard To
its three Mission Sabbath Schools, where the
prospect for good results were never better than
they are at the present moment; throughout the
whole year the attendance OF scholars has beeu
increasingly large. And what is perhaps murt
to be wondered at, We have not wanted teacher;
for oil who came. This fact should be one o.
great encouragement to us, and shows concu
l siyey, not only that there has been no retro
a grade movement. hut may be considered decid
ed advance.
E Our present year opens with much more ia
( vorabe auspices. We have found that our hop
in the justice of our cause, and our faith in th
God OF truth was not mispacel The str0nI
arm of Rebellion has been broken, and thos
wicked men, who one year ago so proudly Vaunt
y ed their intention TO destroy our glorious Govern
= ment mud trample upon our beloved and revere
0 Constitution, have been themselves covered wit
q shame and confusion OF face, and through n
=, ages will be q kissing and byeWord for th
I nations of the earth. The power of truth hl
II been vndcAted. God has prospered the RICH
e and we may hope for speedy return OF peao
e and prosperity to our country
Ia And 10 this hour of gladness and hope, We d
Il not forget those of our number who have left u
! but who are still Of us We have been separi
X ted by the sacred call of our country. The
e have gone TO sustain the imperilel dag OF .,
Ie glorious Union, and TO holl 1t up 10 all its gol
geous beauty far above the polluting touch
= iaitorous hands. We are represented in Il
victorious columns Of the inyincibe Mcclellan
=, in the onward march Of the intrepid and sag
~ eious Banks; in the grand and glorious army
or The West under the noble HalleGk in the Fir
nt Delaware that, under the veteran Gen. Wo,
led the advance Oh Norfolk in the Third Del
" ware, that 30 lately left the Borders of our oN
IL hitherto peaceful State ready for prompt Al
efficient duty when called to the field and
- are also represented in our Victory-crOwnei n
'' gallant navy, which bulwark of iron guar
~, the life Of our Republic. We remember the
~ wv brave ones to night, and we would watt thu
III our kindly wishes, and our fervent prayers
a., their personal safety and for tue success OF tn
~ ~ Holy cause.
,u- Let us then take courage and gird up our lo
PSI for the labor Of the year; the clouds and dal
- ness have been dispersed by the bright shihi
~ of the favor Of God upon our exeriona as Il d
=. tiOn, to preserve TO the world home for
,''s, outcast, aud refuge for the oppressed Sh
"a, we not show our gratitude for these great a
'''' inestimabe blessings, by increased exertions
pfOnulRhtt 10 All hTOuuN US, Aut uUCulue
DDS peace and good will to all men? If we are t
on, to ourselves and to our obligations, the succ
= OF the past years Of our life as an Associate
eht is sure earnest OF what we may expect
cap hope for in the future, IL remains for US 10
aa' whether we will by Gods help fulfill those oil
as cations and receive his reward, shrink Fl
= our luties and merit the punishment Of INV
eei' thy servants.
At the last annual meeting you were inform
>, of the completion and dedication of the Cha
lree at Eighth and Monroe streets, and that Sch
for had been organized there. under the Super
lion tendence of Mr. Joseph W., Day. This sch
re. has been constantly increasing III numbers, u
fuluess aud interest, until it has become
in largest of the three Schools now under
charge of your Association, having now on
,oes roll some l60 scholars aud ~ teachers
success s proof of the good judgment of y
Of committee, who selected the location and ereC
the building. The final report Of that conn
hes tee was made at the first stated meeting Of
ling past year, held on the evening of the l1i
June.
Gentlemen of the Association, allow IN
ms congratulate you upon the successful acc
eing PlishmeIt OF this enterprise. work the b
10 eft and influence of which will be felt long a
the our bodies have mouldered into dust. Her
one bright spot to look upon in after.life