The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-02-25

lnUueuce anu eueCts tuau the party VI
gay assembly, which now seem to be the
only mode Of bringing the two sexes to-
gcther, i'm the formation Of mutual ac-
auaintance, and which savors too much
of conformity to the world.
Bnt to leave this suggestion for what
| il is worth, and return TO our proper
theme, it is well to remark that happy
effect of such acquaintance in Chris
tian association is, that young persons
meeting there will be apt to carry out
in their continued intercourse, the
spirit of religion, at least of good NOR
ais, which cannot fail of being observed
at such meetings. Two young men who
have been spending two or three hours
of the evening, in the study of Gods
word, duties of devotion, and matters
of that character, will not be found, (it
is safely presumed) going together into
any of the haults OF sin that unhap-
PLY exist too largely among us, espe-
cially in our commercial centres.
III. To render serriee TO young men ~
our city. That is, to visit them especial
| " if they are strangers. to invite them
to church, and to the meetings of the So
ciety, to introduce them thus int o good
company, and shield them, if possible,
from the snares of the tempter. How
| laudable such efforts are, and if put
forth with energy, how many young
stranger, coming from the country or
some distant place, away from home. and
its sacred influences, and exposed to the
arts of the designing and wicked, might
he preserved, his innocence maintained,
and he be improved both mentally and
spiritually. This is one of the brightest
and noblest features of the Y. VI. {. 4.
Constant care should be taken to culti-
vate this blessed spirit, and the meln-
bers of such an institution should ever
bear in mind that they are not only to
regard their own welfare, and the inter
ests of one another, but that they should
extend the hand of friendship. and
Christian watchfulness over the young
and unwary ores who throng onr marts
and places of business. And as Wheel
ing promises 10 be most important
centre of this character in the new and
hourishing State of West Virginia, the
members of this Association should ever
be on the alert to watch the incoming of
these youthful strangers and throw over
AHN VI - p"'N
and religious influence. -.
". "To do good, and receirG good. This
is expressive of the general design and
purposes of the Association: it is the
sum and substance of its objects and
efforts. 1t will be observed that n true
conception was had Of the best method
in which to receive good, viz: By doing
good. Doing good is sure to effect
good to self, according to the Bible prinei-
pie, "The liberal soul shall he made fat,
and he that watereth shall he watercd
also himself"
Now, to effect these objects, several
committees were formed Of the follow
ing description, viz:
Ist. Committee on Irritation. The dn
ty imposed on this committee was to at
tend especially to the introduction of
new members by first seeking out young
men, ascertaining their character and
qualifications, and II found suitable, to
propose them to the Association for
election.
2nd. On tie LiJrdry.-This was a
main feature at the very start-a Ii
brary of strictly moral and religious
reading was deemed eminently desira-
Bile, in order tolsupercede the light and
pernicious reading in which young
men are apt to indulge, and particular
" the object was by this means to fur
nish suitable reading for the sabbath
that its hours might be kept sacred
from the use of secular and injurious
literature. This has been we'll sustain
ed. and the present library will show o
coodly number Of volumes, selected
most wisely and judiciously TO that
end. .-r,,, .'- s .u l --y.-.g- foo
Sd. COMMITTEE on Lectnres.--The duty
here entrusted was TO invite lecturers,
at home and from abroad, to appear
occasionally before the Association and
the public and discuss subjects of
literary and neral character. A num-
Der have responded, and both euter-
taiument and instruction have been
furnished. . ,.. g.E.-. r. q
4th. Committee on "sayeets for dieu@iOH.'
This was for hespecial Improvement of
the members themselves, who thus
learned to express their views in yari-
ETY. of topics. 1t was not intended to
turn the Association into a Debating
Society" but simply to get the members
TO think for themselves, and then state
i'm as clear and lucid n manner as pos;
sible the result of such thought. -.'
5th. Committee on "By Tdws.p sAs
any Improvement appeared desirable or
necessary in the conduct of its affairs,
this committe were authorized by the
Association TO make such suggestions,
and report such by-id'os as We're deemed
advisable for adoption. ''' r.-
9th. COMMITTEE on "Hdgs and Means"
This was most important one. The
whole subject of finance was entrusted
to them, and oil can see how under the
faithful and efficient services OF him,
who for so long time acted as Secre-
tary and Treasurer, but is DOW yonr
lronored President, the finances of the
society have been kept always in q pros
porous condition. - .gs5....
On these several committees, al the
members were distributed, and as new
ones came in they were individually
assigned q position on some one, for
which they seemed, particularly rsdapt-
ed. Tins was carried out the design
to make the Association an active,
working body, in which no ihier shall
be- found bat that every 6Yfe 'render
vOOi 9eryfrf. - A..'''
Another fact here deserves notice:
OF thss original twenty-three members
composing the Association, five were
members of the Church at the time of
its organization. and ofthe others, as far
as 10 ascertained seven have ,siHce pro.
fessed their faith in Christ, and we are
not wong, We think, in. ascribing the
serious impressions of some of these TO
the blessing Of God in this instruneD-
tality. They who put themselves I'M
der the Influence Of Christian agencies
and the means Of grace may fully
reckon on the Divine blessing, accord
ing to the scriptured statement, ..'Thef
shall We know, II we follow on, 10
know the Iord.s .r,.1 %. .'.ai s'-.e 2
Thus organized the little band went
forward, with varied fortunes, some
times encou ragged, sometimes depressed:
faint yet pursuing At last, find
ing themselves to have attained de-
gree Of permaneney- and stability, war
ranting eulargedefort they determined
to dropItheir pecnliar church name, and
on the 2lth Of October, 1860, assumed
the one now borne, shortly after which,
they removed To the rnon now occupiel