National Republican., 1874-05-07
ANNIVERSARY OFY. M. C. A,
Il GENEROUS oYATIoN RENDERED
BIZ TIE FAsHINGTOE PUBLIC.

| BI TIE HASHINGTON PUBLIC.
iNTERFs TING ADORE sIs BY HON. WIN.
sTiCKNEY, H. X. PORTER, OF PITTS
BURG; II. THANE MILLER, OF CINCIN-
MATT, AND REV. t. DEWITT TALMADGE,
OF BRooKLYN-THE DEBT OF THE Asso-
CIATIoN WIPED oUT-MoNEY PROVIDED
FOR ANOTHER YEARS WORK.
There was large concourse of persons present
at Lincoln hall last night, representing especially
the several religious denominations OF the city
who sympathiIe with and aid the Young Mems
Christian Association in It's annual labors OF love
in this community.
The occasion was the twenty-nrst anniversary
OF the organisation OF the association, It having
struggled through this term Of probation marked
by its infancy and youth, now enters rpon the
first year of its manhood, under auspices aid %
be In many respects most hattering.
Financially 1t is suffering less embarrassment
than during any previous year, there being de-
felt for the past year Of but si1435. This is duo
to the fact that it has connected with It larger
number Of the substantial and energetic repre-
sentative business men and citizens Of Washing
ton who are giving 1t their support and eoun-
tenance in all of its undertakings.
Tho management is much moro competent and
modern, as its plans Of operation for good are
more extensive and less sectarian than In former
years. ... s, -....-.-. -..--.-.-
The Stage last night was handsomely decorated
with national emblems. while natural flowers, In
rustic stands and hanging baskets, all in full
bloom, not only lent their beauty to the scene,
but nlled the hal with most grateful perfume
On either side tae stage, in floral designs, were
'1s53lST4," the date Of the organization and pres
ent stage Of the association.
The seats in the hall proving inadequate to ac-
commodate the audience, large number of Ia
4 dies and gentlemen were crowded upon the plat
FORM in the and ut the sides of the speakers
| stand.
Hon. William stickney. one-of the vice presI-
dents OF the association, presided, and was sur
rounded by representatives of the clergy OF the
various religious denominations Of the District.
| THE EXERCISES OF THE EVENING
were begun by q song selected for the occasion.
after which Rev. J. II. Cuthbert, D. D., pastor of
tho Thirteenth Baptist church, read the Scrip
turcs, and Rev. S. S. Mitchell, of the New York
avenue Presbyterian church, offered o fervent
prayer.
A long list of new members were then proposed
and elected.
After the audience had sang an anniversary
hymn
| HON. WILLIAM sTIcKSEY ADDRESSED
the audience in the place Of the president, F. H.
| Smith. now absent on o mission to the Indians.
| He said the association entered upon its manhood
with cheerful prospects and anticipation. II had
| served its probation through many disappoint-
ments and troubles, but, like noble ship, 1t had
weathercd the trials of this storm Of twenty-one
years, and sought to solve tho problem how to
save young men from the evils Of intemperance,
| scnsuality, gambling, and every other form OF
evil, and elevate the youth OF the community to
true manhood, and thus elevate the moral senti-
ment of the community. The association had
much to recognize in the way Of aid it had received
from benevolent public, but the demand had not
been met with the liberality which the occasion
| and opportunities demanded.
The association was an outgrowth Of the hu-
mane principle inculcated by the Saviour of "love
| to man" Many of its best efforts were unseen
| and performed in the secrecy of the prison and
sick room, but much was of public nature in fit
ting young men for society by providing for them
pure literature, free reading rooms and constant
devotional exercises for those inclLed to use
them, 4 <I-- -.ts - .'
In conclusion, he introduced
BK PORTER, OF PIrTsBURs,
who said 1t was pleasure to speak to so great
body OF sympathetic friends Of the association.
He had only to remind them that the great feasts
OF the Israeites inculcated the idea that there Is
that in our nature which demands the gathering
of ourselves together to look over what has been
done. These feasts were all occasions of joy-of
great rejoicing. The thought prominent in his
mind was that this assocatBn was not alone, but
only an integral part Of the 900 similar associa-
tIons planted all over the land in cities, towns,
hamlets and villages.
He took to them q message Of greeting from
section where their influence had been felt and
their good deeds rehearsed. His were not. how
ever, the words of stranger, for their good deeds
came as an inspiration to all alike, whether from
near or afar The thought Of gratitude which
comes from every heart must be one of worship
when their successes came, notwithstanding the
financial and business embarrassments OF the
year. They had marks Of Gods favor resting
upon them plain to the sight of tho observing.
His message was, "We rejoice, beholding your
joy and the stesdfastness of your faith In Christ
It is simply
4 COMRADES CRY TO RALLY
from one stationed OF another post on the same
grand line. Nobility imposes obligations and
there is time now for Christian knighthood and
devotion, for tried loyalty, never exceeded by any
service yet done or any call yet answered. There
are foes to meet and opposition to overcome re-
quirlng great vigilance as has ever been called
out of true sentinel. 1t is our duty to be awake
now that Christ calls for helpers. They needed
gentleness and vigilance, rather than foolhardi-
ness, and these, coupled with endurance, would
be the complete panoply for this warfare. Christ
was made perfect only through endurance.
He urged upon them by the latent power that
is in them to give the association the fellowship
of their services. 1t was not what they gave, but
what they shared that was called for-share the
work, tho contest and the honors. Let the abund-
ance of the gifts already received bo your incen-
tive to increased exertions In the future.
a. .THANE MILLER, OF CINCINNATI,
was then introduced, and sang with fine effect
"One More Years Work for Jesus" the audience
joining in tho chorus; after which he addressed
them in q mCst felicltous style, and said to the
association: You have in store for you in the fu-
ture good, solid, hard work, and this is what I
thank God for. Your president asked, "Haye
you come up to the measure of your duty?" l say
frankly don't think you have, there is q measure
yet to be reached after and attained. You in
Washington are an example to US in some re-
spects, Laughter and applause and we want to
copy you in these respects and revolutioniIe you
In others. Your building here has stimulated as
sociations in other places, including that in Oin-
cinnati, and we owe our building to the women,
God bless them: IApplause.l
The fact of your having fsaiingroom Is one Of
the most effective means Of grace you have; un-
ostentatious and yet powerful to bring sinners to
Christ. Thank God for tho association reading.
rooms. The speaker told some remarkable In
stances of conversions in the reading rooms of his
home association, and said 1t was the unostenta-
tIous work on which the associations thrive and
by which men are saved. He said he had some
times met imposters in the association, but It was
so in every good cause. He told an amusing Incl
dent of q man who had tried TO borrow $50 from
him in Cincinnati on promise OF postmaster
ship from General Grant and testimonials Of
character from two Congressman; but he could
not blamo his friends, General Grant and the
Congressman.
In conclusion, the speaker asked the audience
for g 500 to meet the portion Of the expenses OF
the coming year not otherwise provided for and
| to pay the deficit Of e4l4 for the past year. Re-
sponses were received from the audience and
over the amount readily obtained, many Of the
leading citizens responding in large amounts.
The collection being concluded, -...-
| REV. DEWITT TALMADGE, OF BROOKLYN,
was introduced, and said he rejoiced to step on
that broad platform OF Christian brotherhood,
| where the lion and the lamb lie down together,
and you can't tell which is the lion, The old war
OF denominations was settled, and they have more
respect for m Indian warrior than for an ecclesi-
astIc who brags over his scalps Of ecclesiastical
polity, He was raised to believe that one evan
gelical denomination was as good as another. It
was good for turtle to stick his head out Of his
shell occasionally, i did him good, and was com
nr!Hestsry X 2tsss sqSt,:i Sc believed In one
lGod. one baptism, one faltl. one dololory