The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-02-11
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Delivered Before the v. u. c. a Of
this City On Menday, February Sth,
by II. Daveupert, Presidenf.

this City en- Msnday, February sth,
by Il. Dareupert, President.
Dear Brethren Of the 7. II. c. 4. Of
UhbeliHg:
Whilst there has not in the past year
occurred any remarkable events in our
history, our progress has on the whole
| been satisfactory and exhibits a healthy
growth and continued interest. That
spirit Of kindness which should charac-
terize the actions Of those bearing our
name and profession has been manifest,
and not the least evidence Of different
! feeling has been exhibited, even amid
the discussion Of those questions about
which men naturally differ. Let rs al
ways so initiate the spirit Of our Master
or this as well as on other matters.
often unjustly deemed Of greater i'm
I pOrtauce.
Oar business meetings have been held
with regularity, though the attendance
has been smaller than il should have
been.
/ No regular devotional meetings have
/ been held al the rooms during the year
There has been proposed land the propo-
sition will soon come before you for sc-
tiou) an amendment TO the Censtitu-
/ tion, providing for an executive COM
mittee 10 transact the details Of the reg
ular business, which routine, although
necessary, does not appear to interest
the mass Of our members. The arrange
ment would afford much time that it is
thought could be more proftably en-
pioyed in devotional exercises. / trust
il may be your pleasure to adopt the
amendment.
The increase in the enrolment of
members is twenty one. 4 change in
regard 10 the election Of members, re-
curing the initiation fee 20 accompany
the proposal for membership, has had
the effect to curtail the number of
names proposed, but has not materially
decreased the number Of active and pay
ing members.
Your committee on Devotional EIer-
cises has been active, and much good
has resulted from its lsbors. Under its
invitation, in the early part Of the year,
the valuable services OF Harry More
house were secured. By the simple,
earnest and faithful preaching of that
youthful evangelist, our association, as
well as the various congregations of the
.
produced does not appear 10 have been
sensational or transitory, bat the Spirit
OF God was with the preaching of the
word. Several Of our prominent minis.
ters have referred 70 its good effects in
their own experience.
new committee was formed, 10 visit
the prison and almshouse, 10 provide
for the destitute aud TO have direction
of street preaching. Under its direc-
tiOn the county jail has been visited
every Sunday, and when the weather
wosld admit, Sunday street services
were held IN various parts of the city.
The utmost decO!Gm was observed by
tie crowds that attended these services,
and many listened with apparent inter
est who never attend the services in a
church building.
All of the Protestant ministers of the
city were invited 10 take part IN these
services, and without exception they
responded promptly and heartily.
The limited experience in this work
has given abundant encouragement to
make il a permanent feature in our
mode Of effort. The committee very
justly complain that the members Of
the Association did not give that en-
coursgemenI which their presence in
larger numbers would have afforded.
To make street services less restrained.
we should have good singing, earnest
short prayers, and the presence and
sympathy Of many friends and work.
ers.
The library has been repleuished in
the last year al a cost Of about one hun
dred dollars, in addition 10 the amount
expended for tracts and periodicals.
II is matter Of congrstu!ltioB TO OBJ
serve the increased interest manifested
by the members in the selection Of books
Of higher standard than formerly. A
brief experiment of introducing secular
newspapers was made, but without the
success the friends of the movement
anticipated.
4 full delegation was sent to repre-
sent you az the International Conyeu-
tisn, which met at Detroit, in June.
The delegates reported that the pro
ceedings were marked with unusual in
terest. The state of our Associational
work in the States aud British provinces
gives great cause for encouragement.
Imperfect statistics show al increase of
nearly double the number Of AsSocia-
tions in the United States the past year
with a membership Of more than sew
~ thousand.
The legislation Of tie Convention was
wise and discreet Questions which
promised TO sgitste the deliberations
were most happily disposed of. The
religious exercises Of the convention
were impressive and most all the dele
gates seemed animated with zeal 70 en-
ter on the great respoasi bilities of the
work, and 70 join heartily in the iRvo-
cation TO the great Head Of the church
for assistance to properly discharge
them.
Immediately preceding the sitting of
the State Association of Ohio, last fall,
. resolution was passed providing for
the appointment Of . committee from
this Association 70 visit the Ohio Asso-
citation, and 10 eRdeayor 70 arrange su
alliance between the State Associations
of Ohio and West Virgins. The CON-
nittee, owing 70 the limited time, were
moi fully instructed, AID, though the
proposition was most cordially received
BY the Ohio Association, yet certain
notifications were proposed which your
committee did not feel authorized TO
accept. The idea is . good one and
should receive the full attention Of this
Association, being practically the only
one IN our State. The advantages are