The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-16

THE anniversary Meeting-Ad
dresses by Rev. Bishop simP-
son, Rev. Rufus w. clarh'
D. o., o. l.. MOODY,
ESQ.,, and Others.

---.---.--A,.,oo.-,~-~~,-~-~~~~-
Isst evening the Academy Of Music was filed
70 oyerRoyinp, not outstanding the inclemency
of the weather. The occasion was the twelfth
anniyetsary OF the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation of this city. After the preliminary
exercises and prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Cheshire,
the Pre- sident OF the Society, Mr.. Peter b.
Eimons, addressed the audience as follows:-
Address of p. h. sImOns, Esq.
Brethren, and Friends of the Young Mems
Christian Assocation:-We meet together to-
night under circumstances OF unusual gratih-
cation. After several years Of extensive labor
we have been enaoled, oy the blessing OF God,
TO raise our Association TO position of greater
usefulness; and although this has been attended
with unusual expenditures ofmoney, we come TO-
gether tonight TO celebrate our twelfth anniver-
sary with sufficient moneys pledged to pay off all
our indebtedness. We desire publicly to express
our grateful Acknowledgements to our Secretary
for the faithful administration OF his duties,
especially In interesting the young men, and
bringing them under religious influences; and to
our Treasurer for his devoted fidelity in the
management OF our financial affairs. Nor would
we forget our board OF managers, and the active
members OF our Association who have so nobly
labored to place our Association in ITS present
position, which is SO desirable, and, we trust,
which is to insure to us a great success in the
future. These dear friends are the silent
workers. Their names are not mblazoned in
the puDllc prlnt, lney 40 MOI come before tue
public, but earnestly and faithfully they labor
on, looking only for that reward which comes
from God. Like the rivulets on the mountains
top, which seem to have 30 little power, when
united they form little torrents, watering the
EARTH and give seed to the sower and bread to
the eater, and then mingling with the great
avenues towards which they carry the rich trea-
sures OF the earth to bless the inhabitants thereof
and then finding the way to that beautiful
emblem of eternity, the mighty ocean. just so
has. 1t been and ever will be with these silent
workers. They labor on, unknown to the
world, faithfully and earnestly doing Gods
work, and it will only be in the eternal world
that the value of their lives will be known.
But, dear friends, the world needs such
earnest, faithful workers to look after the young
men, the young and inexperienced; tor is not
the hope of our country In the rising genera.
ton? Teach the child and the youth virtue,
and we win have Virtuous statesmen. We will
have powerful rulers. l must not linger. We
have with us brethren from abroad, some
OF whom are to address us, and it is my
auty this evening to welcome them. And,
dear brethren, we did not come to greet you
thie evening with the cold formahty of the
world, but invoking that Blessed Spirit which
kindred hearts love, we extend TO you the
right hand of fellowship, and bid you thrice
welcome-welcome to this city, welcome to our
midst, welcome to this joyous occasion. And
as your speakers will address us this evening,
we will ask Gods blessing upon them AID upon
the associations which they represent. trusting
that your meeting tonight may be a foretaste
of that great assembly which shall gather
around our Redeemer's throne in Heaven, when
Ohrist's blood-washed workers shall come from
tie North and the South, from the East and
the West, to cast their crowns az the foot of the
Cross and cry out, Not unto us, not unto Us,
but unto Thy name, be all the glory"
Report of the Secretary.
- After the singing of hymn, Rev, W. B. Cur
hse, Corresponding Secretary OF the Assoca-
tion, read brief abstract OF the annual report,
referring TO the large number of young men in
this city who have the street, the cheerless
boarding house, and the gllded halls to frequent;
but homes they have none. In order to remedy
the sad results flowing from such state of
affairs, the Association had provided spacious
reading-rOoms, parloTs, and musical iDstru-
ments, where all young men were welcomed.
The Association now numbers fifteen hundred
members, and applications are pending for
admission from four hundred young men,
who will be elected at the next monthly
meeting. 1t Is hoped that from eXer.
tions now being made, the number of volumes
in the library will be doubled. Glasses in elo-
Cuton, rhetoric, music, and foreign languages
existed and had stated periods for meeting. A
large number of young men had joined the
Prayer-meetings and Bible Glass, and been
brought to knowledge of the truth. com
mittee was labering among the newsboys and
eOotblacks, and it was hoped that permanent
home would soon be provided for these long
neglected classes. Young men, principally dis
charged soldiers, had been provided with work
and comfortable homes. The amount received
during the year was $ll, $3.50, and the amount
on hand was $l009'49.
The Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D. D., of Albany
New York, then addressed the audience St
ellows:--
Address of Rev. DIR. Clark.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Associa
6on:-I have no doubt express the feelings o
all, when say that we have been very deeply
interested and very much encouraged in listen
ing to the Report of the Philadelphia YounG
Mems Christian Association. l 40 not know o
an association more full of life, more full of ne
and attractive things, than this Association o
Philadelphia. And while reference has been
made to the worthy Secretary and Trea
Surer for their faithful labors, | am no
sure but what much of the prosperity o
your Association may be attributed to tn
zeal and devotion of your honored President
Peter B. Simons, and Judging from the apostoli
zeal which he has manifested, l have beel
thinking he must be a descendant of Sain
Peter, and II his name is not Simon Peter, IT
Peter Smons, which is very near 1t. am gla
to see another new feature here. | understan
this musical society, consisting OF young ladies
have joined the Young Mems Christian Associ6
tion. believe in that. l know we want thei
inhuenCe-their refining influence as well q
Sher music. As they we're singing about tn
angels 1t reminded me OF a question that wa
put to me some time ago. / was asked how
happened that all the angels spoke OF in th
Bible are all men-no women among them?
thought moment and then remarked that
though 1t must be that there are already S
many female angels on the earth, that it wi
not necessary tor them 10 go to heaven.
/ am very happy, therefore, to address
prosperous an association of young men, il
cludmg young ladies; and was thinking, viii
sitting here, OF The significance of the name.
is an association of young men-meu in Il
Vigor of life-men at period when the ment
and physical faculties are in vigorous eXercls
1t is period OF strength and power; and when
hear that fifteen hundred are connected Wi
your Association from the Christian Churches
this citv l reCOpnIZe in this army those that a