The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-02-11

TheAssoeiation of Ohio is strong and
well organized. They have men OF
large experience in the work, who are
willing to visit our State and assist rs
in planting Associations, without which
assistance the work will be impractica-
bic for years 10 come. Certainly State
lines and local prejudices should not in
terfere with the alliance. l suggest
that committee to have the subject in
charge be early appointed, so that, by
correspondence and otherwise, the de-
tails may be understood at least before
the matter comes up for decision.
The question has been discussed, not
oaly IN our meetings, but 70 a great ex-
tent IN the private intercourse OF the
members, What is our immediate
work in Wheelingr Our city differs
in its characteristics from the large cit
les with the work Of whose associations
we are more familiar, because of their
prominence and Importance, and many
Of the agencies in them are not expedi-
teut with Us. The strange young men
coming 70 our town are comparatively
few, and they are approached easily by
The various church congregations. The
Sunday School mission work offers but
q limited, if any field, not already oc-
cupied by that department of religions
work. Our deserving poor are relieved
by the private charities, extended
through churches or by purely benevo-
lent associations. Our city library,
supported probably by . majority of
our members, affords in the way Of light
reading, on very reasonable terms,
all the inducements we could offer.
The number Of active, working Chris
tisn young men in our churches is un-
fortunately very limited, and the de-
mands made upon them are such as to
engross NEST Of the time that can be de-
voted TO religious duties. This view Of
the case has had the effect of making
oar work appear limited and to call in
question the necessity OF an organizs-
ton at all. II has been suggested that
greater work can be done in the cul-
tiYation of higher spiritual attsinments
in 6ur members, so that we can sue
oessfslly work, in our associated ca
pacity, with young men out of the
church, and work for the conversion Of
their souls.
We may be asked, "Why cannot such
work be accomplished, even better in
the Church than out Of il r. We an
swer, "Our work shall not be ia vain,
if We succeed, 10 some degree, in unit
ing in one body the various members
OF the branches OF the Church, and
thoroughly exhibiting aHd promoting
that fellowship which should mark the
work of professed followers of Christ
There are many young men who ara
not easily reached By the influence Of
the Church, who are not unwilling 70
come int our Association. II affords
bridge between the chasm that separates
the world from the Church. Let us
afford safe and quick transit; let the
light on the bridge show very plainly
the determination; let Us not under
rate the extent and importance Of our
labor. The harvest is plenty, the Ia
borsrs are few"
] do not dissPprove may cordially
liSe) many of the features introduced
into the Association; such as reading
rooms, amussmeDts, etc, but value
them as incidental and matters subse-
quent. / believe the immediate want
ef this Association is the pouring out
of the Holy Spirit upon the members,
aDsinting them for the work, which
shall be shown them 10 do.
Nay God bless you, my dear friends
Let rs enter the work Of the coming
year with the spirit of prayer and de-
votien TO duty. Let our examples be
as light so shining that Others seeing
our good works may glory our Father
which is in Heaven.