The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-02-25
wheeling Young Mems Chris
tim Association. A


tian Association.
The following is the brief history Of
the Young Mems Christian Association
of this city, which was prepared BY
Rev. r. V. Dodge, and read at the
Eighth Anniversary Of the Association
celebrated at the First Presbyterian
Church, last night:
In complying with the request to pre-.
pare brief statement of the early his
tory Of this Association, the writer can
not refrain from expressing his emotion:
of pleasure, and heartfelt gratitude &c
Almighty God, as he tenders his earnest
congratulations on this, the keighth
anniversary of its existence.
Well may an "Ebenezer," "a stone ol
help" be erected tonight, to commem'
crate the loving care of Him, who hith'
erto has helped you, with the full as
surance of the continuance OF that care
in your onward progress, as with re-
newed diligence you prosecute your Ia
bors of love.
Memory takes us back to the time
when in the Pastors study in the Sec
ond Presbyterian Church of this city
the little company Of young men then
composing this Association were aceus'
toned to assemble to peruse together
the word of God, and engage III such
simple exercises as were deemed appr0-
pirate to the vet infantile condition OF
the body.
This Association presents 4 remark,
able instance, we think, where Gods
blessing is sure to rest upon all humble
attempts to do good, and promote HIS
glory in the world, withoutresorting to
anything like public parade, or show
The fate of many companies and organl:
cations, even of similar nature, is well
known; where, after a great din and
noise has been made, the trumpet loud
ly blown, 4 grand convocation called,
and n mass meeting assembled, a long
string of resolutions passed, hundreds
subscribing their names, large num-
Der of officers chosen, a pOnderous con-
stitution adopted, with long preamble
and numerous articles and bylaws, and
even a liberal subscription of money,
all perhaps paid in,-yet, have they
fallen, as it were by their own weight,
and in a short time have breathed their
last, and are no more, and, why is this
Nav not the reason be, that there was
too much of human derisng-in. them.
They were not based on an humble re-
lance upon the power and grace OF God.
1t should be remembered in all such en-
terprises that it is mot by might nor
by power, but by my Spirit. saith the
Lord"
We have no desire to speak in a
boastful way, but may we not simply
state il as fact seen in the very in
stance before us, that humility in the
start of an enterprise, especially one
partaking Of the name of Christian, is
far more likely to warrantisuccess than
all the parade of mere numbers or
worldly influence that may be brought
into play.
The history of this Association is
briefly as follows: The Rev. X. V.
Dodge, pastor at that time of the
Second Presbyterian Church, in this
city, being desirous of enlisting the
Young men attending upon his ministry
in some active and useful labors. con-
ceived the idea that by forming them
into a Bible class, and in connection
with their study of the sacred word,
having some exercises of q more gem
eral character, the object might be
effected, and so concluded to try the eI-
pertinent. Accordingly an invitation
was given for all young men favor,
able to the pan to come together and
form themselves into an Association,
with tile above mentioned objects in
view. This was responded to immedi-
ately by quite. number, and on the
9th of February, 1859, was organized
".The X. ~ &. 4, Of the Second PresbVc,.
ridn Church Of The CHyJ Uheehng."
Twenty-three names were, enrolled, q
list of which is still preserved in the
archives of the Society, and the first
officers elected were. 81 s....t's slsrj
Presidcnt-David c. Hervey.
Vice President--C. {. Tobin., ms.
Secretary and Treasurer-William Is.
Simpson. .,..s .,...,f..s.J
MI. Hervcy soon after removed TO
Steubenville, where he now resides, and
Mr. Tobin acted as President. until his
removal from the city, which took
place some months after. ...,iIag.-. :
1t may be interesting to observe that
of the original treaty-three only serea
now remain OH the roll as active riiem-
bers. Three have fallen before the great
DESTROYER, several lave withdrawn and
the rest are scattered far and wide, the
residence Of .many of them unknown,
and perhaps some of them also are no
more on earth. The terrible civil war
that so lately swept sirrocco-like over
our land, carried some of these youths
away. and one, we know, fell ON Che
battlefield; the same may have been
the fate of others. The three with
whose decease We are acquainted are
Messrs II. Fl. Hopkins, James Wright,
and VIM. d. Quarter, Jr, Peace to their
memory! % .......
The Constitution adopted at the time
of the organization was of the simples
form, consisting of few articles and
Ly-laws. The preamble contained
these words: "Being desiroas Of adopt
iva efficient means for ertending our know.-
edge ofthe Bible aud doing gopf TO o'u td--
loT-men ,lacs the sabscribers," &c, short
but how comprehensive. The knowi.
edge of Gods word, and the practical
daties of Christian faith are thus pre-
sented. Two grand and noble objects
to be placed before the minds and
hearts Of young men, and corresponding
to the Psalmist's. expression, "Wheye:
With shall d souns mhn cleahse'his way
By taking thereto according to thy
word,"L ,,c,+ .'o4o {J Jf.-.ruNa,f.,
n carrying on. these objects the fol
lowing programme was adopted, fur
nishing topics Of business ut aIl.rsg
meetings, and suitable plans of action
in intercourse with the world: - I
I.H"Tke careful study and analysis ot
the Scripfres.3 A lesson was suggested
at previous meeting, and the members
spent at least an hour in listening to ex'
plantations by the Teacher, or them
selves making comments and Remarks,
This is o most profitable exercise, lead.
ing to close familiarity with the sacred
text, and improving the conversational
powers. Many q pleasant honr was
thus passed, not unattended, we trust,
with great spiritual benefit, and; the
suggestion will be pardoned, if this is
not tho habit of the Association at the
present time, whether it would not be
wise to resume it.. Gods word is the
rule of faith and practice. 1t lies at the
foundation of all good, either in thought
or action, and the more familiarity with