The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-03-05
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton.

3sess~s. Elitors,-Will you give littic
en,cn in your columns to call the attention
NJ chri>tisns 10 this important but somewhat
nee,ec,ed institution? That the good peo'
,,le ef Richmond appreciate It's Va'ue l.
. ip,rorod Inv Tile means which Z few OF them
: A. Ieas.. are atIording 10 the Relief Commit
Too WHO. in a quiet and transformations way
are CARRYING succor to number OF distressed
Families. The large and weli-kept rooms, Thu
extensive library of choice books, and The
numerous papers; both secular and religious
also attest how much interest Is felt in ths
great objects for which the Association wa:
formed.
And vet It is true that there is a sad neg
lect Of the very means by which those ap
p,iances can be made truly effective in pro-
noting the ends for which they were pro
vided--and that Is the union 1r0yer-meeitnJ
We know that the president has eXcltcd
himself to keep it up----trying first one hour
Of the day, then another, with view 10 TIE
convenience of Christians generally, putting
uD notices and inviting individuals person.
ally--.but thus far lie has been disappointed
with very meagre attendance.
Now. we know the excuse usually gwen
nv cburch-melmbers for rcmiSsncss here u,
that the various meetings Of their own
churches require as much time is they can
snare, and that they can do more good IN
these than by engaging i'll outside efforts 10
promote the cause Of Christ. we would no'
say one word to dissuade professors of reli-
gion from attending any meetings OF their
own church, for we know very we'll how SAD
are the shortcomings Of many even there.
But we would seriously urge them 10 re-
consider the plea Of want OF time, both
for their own sakcs and the sake 0! those
whom they would reach and save.
In the first place, we hesitate not TO de
clare that most Christians greatly need the
influence OF meetings and associations he
yond the pale Of their own denominations.
Few are so constituted that they eau disre-
gard the apostolic injunction. "LoGk moi
every man on his own things, but every man
also on the things Of Others" without the
danger OF becoming cynical aud narrow
minded. All bigotry has its root in too
exclusive attention TO the wants or cXccl,en-
cies of ones own church. We cannot see
how much there is to commend in brethren
Of other dcnomnations-yca, how closely ali
true Christians resemble each other in their
views and faclHgs-unti we freely min@le
i'm social converse and unite at the mercy
seat of one common Father to plead the mcr-
its and mediation OF 4 common Saviour and
implore the influences OF that same Spirit
who dwclis in the heart of every believer.
But, in the second place, Christians need
those union meetings, also, to diSarm the
prcjudices and reach the hearts Of worldly
people, who are prone to look upon all mani
festations of zeal and efforts for the salvation
of the impenitent by the different denomina-
ti)ns rs mere evidences of sectarian rivalry.
To accomplish such Objects as those named,
would it be too much Of a tax upon any
Christians time to set apart Que hour each
day for united, earnest, and perseycring
prayer in behalf Of the other great objects
aimed at by the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION? But you are not now asked fol
even that mulch Of your time. The only days
now appointed are Monday and Thursday at
6 o'clock p. N. A. s.