Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-19


cause represented on this night.
The hymn, Jesus, Lover OF my soul. was
sung by the choir and congregation.
George r. Hill, esq, President Of the Asso-
citation, then read the following report
1T has been said that these annivcrsarl es
are but ''mie-stones by the way" resting
places, at which we linger for momeut, ele-
vations on the swift journey, from which we
turn our eyes backward Oh the past, and for
ward on the future.
In the exceeding mercy OF gracious God
we have come in our Journey to another mile
stone by the way; and as this is the hrst an
nlversarv which we have celebrated as IN asso-
citation for humber of years, | thought 1t
would be both appropriate and interesting to
gather up some of the names OF those who
were early associated in the work, and refresh
our memories by rcciting the several parts. they
took in its organization, and the positions
which they occupied.
The Young Mems Christian Association OF
Alexandria was organized at Il meeting COM
posed of several members 1.-THE record says,
Of the Evangelical Churches of this city, held
in the basement Of the Second Presbyterian
Church, on the 18th january, 4. u. 1853.
This meeting was called to order by +. +. Wit
mcr. upon whose nomination &. II. Lee was
elected temporary chairman; Sylvester Scoot,
secretary. The committee appointed to draft
the original constitution consisted OF two mem-
bers from each Of the evangelical churches OF
the city as follows: First Presbyterian, Sylvester
Scott, i. f. Wilmer Second Presbyterian,
DIR. W. W. Williamson, Douglas 5. Gregory !;
NJ. j.. Church (South), John I. Audley, Geo.
". Davis: NJ. f. Church. John Mccormick,
jr., DIR. j. f. Chase Christ Church, Chas.
H. Ice. b. Russell Barhce; st. Pa,lPs Church,
john W. Green James Entwisle, jr,; NJ. T.
Church. j. e. 'Ialia!erro, 7. 4. Stoutenburg
Baptist, LP Baync. Il. Euglish to which was
subsequently added the namc OF 1hoS. VI.
Mccormick
Under the constitution thus framed, the
first officers OF the association were as follows:
President Lawrence p. Bayne; Vice Presl-
dents, {. H. lee, j. i. ArdIey, Jas. Mchen-
zie !: Corresponding Secretary, Geo. *. Wilmer;
Recording Secretary, /. NJ. Mccormick; Ire
surer j. Mccormick. .jr. Librarian, e. Wal.
lace IIooff ln addition to those above named
We find among the original twenty-five who
signed the constitution, and who appear to
have taken an active part. III the early ille OF
the association. the following named persons:
A. J. Fleming, 4. B. Slaymaker, j. p Mil
burn. f. Snowden ir. H. i. Wood, j. ".
Lockwood, Lewis Mckenzie. VIM. Wright, A.
d. Harmon. G. d. FOwlc, Geo. Washington,
and W. H. Fowle
Since the day OF which these events were
the Witnesses nineteen years Of exis-
tcncc Tor the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton of Alexandria have successfully passed,
and the record Of them has been made up
forever 1t is net my purpose to traverse these
long years, although many lessons Of profit and
encouragement could doubtless be gathered
from their history, but rather to look at once,
and very briefly to the present condition and
status OF the association.
We number to day uixty-Six active and four
associate members: out OF all these, however:
we can rely upon. but about twenty OF them
for active work. With these and the OCCASION
al HELM uf the Semi-dlonCs we are enabled by the
blessing of God to carry on the following work:
\ daily prayer meeting in the hall ofthe Asso-
citation. on King street, at + clock a Sunday
afternoon prayer meeting alternately in the va
rious churches of the city at + o clock prayer
meeting ut Fishtowu, in the former bar
room of Colcman,s restaurant, on Mon
day evening at 7::;O devotional meeting
ut the Aims house Sunday afternoon at 80;
a devotional meeting AT the jail Thursday after
noon at 30 night school each evening in
the week. except Saturday at 80, at the cor
ncr of Royal and Duke Streets Tor the cduca
ton Of the working boys OF the city.
The regular though somewhat limited, dis
tributon Of tracts, the relief Of the poor, sick
and needy, us far as CIRCUMSTANCES will allow,
during the appropriate season. Bethel serI zee
on the wharf, and open air services on the
more public streets. These may be properly
considered the regular undertakings OF the AS
ISOLATION, in addition to which are labors, the
province of special committees appointed for
the purpose and discharged from time to time
throughout the year.
As our annual meeting is 50 near at hand
when these several fields OF usefulness will be
particularly reported upon for the information
of the citizers-and especially as there are
gentlemen of ability present, to follow me IN
addresses | will not venture to make any re-
marks upon these suggestive objects.
We have thus very hastily sketched the
work of the Association, in order to give time
to speak for minute or two. Of the present,
and pressing needs Of the organization. LIST.
We need an increase of membership, especially
of active members. We want corps of active
christian young men to help US. We would
like to district the city, for a thorough, sysie-
matte plan of tract distribution If our pres
ent faithful agent Bro Cross, who is doubtless
in the congregation here to tell his experience
as he has handed his little message Of truth to
2277 persons in the last three days, believe
we would secure an abundant corps Of
volunteers We want another large com
nittee to visit readthc Bible, to pray with,
and reve the INDECENT sick, such particularly,
as may be classed among those who are
"without God and without hope in the world
ard indeed IL may be added without human aid
or support of any kind whatever Persons who
have no special claims upon any ofthe churches
whose circumstances forbid their appearance in
the public congregation, if inclined to go, and
whose tendency with the weight of each days in
creasing woe and misery is downward to rum
We need young men for the special work. in
addition to our regular enterprises. Christian
Young men of Alexandria, will you, not unite
with us in our effort for God and humanity?
Added to them is one other need which take
take time to speak of viz the need of a building
New York city erected for its Young Mems
Christian Association magnificent structure
costing S5OO,0OO, Chicago, one costing S3(0Ooo,
WaShington city one costing $500, 600 San Fran
cisco, one costing S20O0OO our sister city, Bal
timore, has already subscribed Sl50,0D of the
sum Of 5000, 00O, with which they are to erect
similar building. Shall not Alexandria have
an appropriate building according to her size
and population? We do not expect building of