Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-07-11
Young Mems Christian Association


place at the Baptist Church on Sabbath
evening last, was attended by a large,
intelligent and attentive audience, who
evinced an interest in It's purpose and
prosperity which can but be an en-.
couragement to the Association to per.
feet their organization and vigorously
carry on the work that it may tiud to do
in our community.
The exercises OF the evening were in.
troduced by voluntary by the choir.
Prayer by Rev. Norman Seaver DID.
Reading of the Scriptures (psalm 1l9)
by Ben. K. Chase, President of the AS
sociation, after which another hymn was,
rendered by the choir.
Mr.. Chase stated briefly, the object of
the Association and the purpose of the
present meeting, concluding by intro
ducing DR.. E. V. N. Harwood, the Chair
man of the delegation to Montreal.
DR.. Harwood's address was OF great
interest. He remarked that he labored
under embarrassment in endeavoring to
make report Of the international con-
vention at Montreal, for while he might
give general survey Of the proceedings
and an outline Of the business, yet the
spirit and animus Of the gathering could
never be conveyed by mere words. He
gave short sketch of the origin of
Christian Associations, -- commencing
more than twenty years ago-from
small seed planted in love, which God
had caused to spring up and grow to
maturity. The first National Conven-
tion was held twelve years ago, in which
only twelve associations were represent
ed, and at the Montreal Convention there
were five hundred and forty delegates
and two hundred and forty-one organ
lied Associations reported, with men,
bership Of thirty.three thousand, the
Brooklyn, New Y ork, Association alone,
having thirty.eight hundred members.
The interest manifested in these annual
gatherings is not exceeded by any Or
ganized body unless it be that of the
American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions. The account given
of the opening address Of the President
II. Thane Miller, of Ohio, was an affect
| ing narration of the msfortunes OF q
| noble man, filed with Christian zeal and
! love. Mr.. Miller was the President OF the
Convention at Albany in 1866, where he
had the privilege of seeing the form and
the year a gradual loss of sight had
| come over him, and he stood before them
sightless, unable to distinguish those he
knew and loved so well, yet he was
grateful that kind Providence had
brought on his misfortunes by degrees,
and that the privilege had been afforded
him OF appreciating the beauties of the
natural world, and the recognition o. the
form and faces Of friends, all of which
were photographed upon his blinded
vision, yet the spirit of Christian love
and gratitude to God was left to him in
his hour of trial. Although not the, GUS
tom to re.elect the President, yet Mr..
Miller was made President of the Asso-
citation by acclamatlon, and, notwith-
standing his blindness, is an admirable
presiding officer. There was no moment
or feeling Of dullness, either in the reli-
gtous exercises or business proceedings,
such a Christian enthusiasm and spirit
permeatiDg the whole, making it in
truth and sentiment Christian gather
ing. He concluded by calling attention
to the meeting of the Vermont delegation
and the proposition to hold State Con-
ventiOn, and wished the expression oi
the people of Rutland, as to the proprety
of this association, rendering the hospi
talities OF the citizens to the delegates o.
such convention If held in our town
He wanted that such gathering should
be welcomed with Christian cordiality
and hospitality If not so received he
would rather it would convene at some
other point. The simple, unadorned mar
ration of DR.. Harwood touched the
hearts of his large audience, and was 6
model Of simplicity and pathos which
we have rarely seen exhibited on simi
lar occasion.
Israel D. Cole followed, speaking o
the objects sought to be accomplished
as defined by the Convention, and read
ing extracts from the reports of associa
tions from different parts of the coun
try. Fayette P. Brown, Albert Fl. Tut
tie and VIM. A. Burnett, the other dele
gates, briefly addressed the meeting, Civ
ing their general impressions Of th
Convention, inierspersed with Incidents
Rev. G. w. Stetson OF the Adven
, church made short but stirring an
enthusiastic address, portraying tn
| duty of all to unite without reference t
, creeds, for the reformation and elevatlo
of the young men of our town, and ure