Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-12-10

The first anniversary meeting Of the
Young Mems Christian Ass ssaeia.ion WAS
ae,d last evening ct the Fifth stree, Il. l..
church. TIE attendance Vas somewhat
limited. the church being only partly ailed.
Hon. John l.. Davies presided. After an
opening prayer By the Rev. J. d. Mason.
and singing by the congregatios, J. s. Con-
ner, President Of the Association, read the
following report, which Was followed BY the
report Of the Treasurer
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.
The Young Mems Christian Association,
Of Davenport, Iowa, was organized IN De
cernber 1866. It's early life was one oi
isebleness and was the object oi much
solicitude and care. Even now. a'tef an
existancc OF nearly year, II can scaIceiy DC
regarded as having reached that point where
Il nav no longer be considered an exper
mo.t.
forafey months two rooms were rent
cd IA IL Claire Row, which were plainly
bn, comfortably furnished. The attendance
of ,he class OF persons we sought to benefit
and the response to an appeal Tor pecunlsry
aid. encouraged US 70 extend our operations
AMI assume larger responsibilities.
The rooms at present occupied in Metro
politan Block were leased IN May las. Tor
term of years, and by the lberaity Of the
citizens have been fitted up in style that is
at the same time comfortable and attractive.
Newspapers secular and religious reviews,
magazines and books, have been placed on
the tables in such number and variety as To
render the rooms a .easant and profitable
place of resort
One of the chief attractions at the rooms
lie the gymnasium. which has been titted up
ia crediab!c manner, and 10 largely At
tended and enjoyed by the members and
friends OF the Association. New attractions
can be added to this department., from time
10 time, us the means OF the Association
will warrant
Very little has been done in
the lecture department, as the OF
icers OF this Association have en-
deavored to avoid even the appearance Of
conflict with the Library Associaiiation, a
society which deserves we'll at the hands OF
the cllizens tor its labors in this respect.
We hope, however, during the season To
furnish lectures Of high order Of merit,
and ut an admission fee which will bring
them will bring them within the reach OF
those persons tor whose especial benefit We
abor.
! Perhaps the most important step taken by
| the Association during the year, was that
OF engaging the services OF the Rev. Mr.
! Deckmann, gentleman eminenily qualified
and adapted for the work. as Chaplain aud
| Superintendent OF City Missions. In this
| department Of labor = very wide field
presents itself. The city has been divided
into districts, and then sub divided. as
siguinglto each volunteer one block, or il lac
| prefers i. as many blocks as he can convc-
nienily canvass during the month-visiting Z
every fan lily, distributing tracts, inviting
| the children to Sabbath School and the pa
rents to the House of God, reporting eases
| OF desttu,ion to the Superintendent who
visits every case so reported and extends
relief, AS lar as the means placed at his dis
posal will allow.
| The claims on this department Of our
| work are far beyond our present ability 70
meet, and It depends entiIely on the liberal
| ity OF the citzeGs how much OF suffering
| We shall be able TO relieve. The Reliel
Fund is kept entirely separate from the or
dinary resources and expenditures OF The
| Association. Every dollar contributed fol
| the relief Of the destitute is religiously de
voted to that object without any deductions
| whatever and IN every case, application:
| Tor assistance are carefully investigated by
the hey. Mr.. Deck mann before any appro
| pria,ioa is made. We earnestly appeal to
those whom God has blessed with means t.
MAKE This Association one OF the Chan
| nels of their tenevo.cnce.
| Oiher departments ol Christian labor vii
| be entered upon in due time.
Boarding houses will be selected whe n
young men. especially strangers, Of limitcs
| means can find suitable accommodation ant
| where they will be surrounded by Christian
Influences.
Tn. Employment Committee will Away
do what they can 10 find employment 70
such as need it. 1t merchants and other
In need of assistance would confer with III
Chaplain st the rooms, it might be gresil,
To their own advantage. Christian charac,e
pre- supposes commercial integrity.
\ new Constitution and Sianding Rule
were adopted in September At the las
regular meeting Of the Association, held oi
the ID inst, these we're ordered 10 b. prln,e-
and Will soon be in tine hands of the me IN
beIs.
Thus far a ,drge amount cf the active Ia
Dor Las volvcd upon those who are press
.d with important business affairs. wit.
h )useh hold duties aud with the claims OF III
various activities ofthc Christian church.
The Young men OF our churches have no
yet fully come up TO the wofk. On then
meinly this enterprise must rest There /
q sl mpathy between those ri ike eAperl
,nce and years which renders their preseac
and their labor especially yaiu .ble in ser
vice like this. Thus while beneiitiine Other
they will plant the seeds which in uue tim
will bring rich harvest Of experierc. y
vel as blessing to .heir own souls.