Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-01-15
PRAYER MEET INGS.

EVANGELICAL PRAYER MEET INGS
CLOSE OF THE WEEK OF PRAYER-IN-
! TEREsTING ERvICEs-vARIoUs AD-
DRESSES BY THE CLERGY AND LAITY.
&c, &C.. &c.
In our last issue, the prayer meetings,
suggested by the Evangelical Alliance and
held under the direction of the Young
Mems Christian Association of the city
were alluded to. They continued through
out the week, and on Sunday night, not
withstanding the inclemency of the wealth
er-being held the last three nights in the
Presbyterian church.
The meeting Friday night was conducted
by Maj. J. W. Newton A. Y. Lee,
I Col. Mcclure and W. A. McCue led in
prayer, and remarks were made by Rev.
W. Richardson, Maj Elder and J. A. Wad-
dell, in reference to the value Of Missions
Saturday night, Geo. M. Harrison
presided C. W. Hunter. T. B. Coleman
and J. A. Waddell led in prayer. and VIM.
A McCue and Judge sheffey made ad-
conservation in order to a general revival
| of true religion.
CLOSING SERVICE
The remarkable and interesting series
of religious services was concluded and
crowned Saturday night by an impressive
service. in which REV. DR.. BARNAs
SEARS presided. Services having been
suspended in all the Protestant Churches
in the city with reference to this occasion,
there assembled in the spacious auditori-
UNI of the Presbyterian Church very
large and evidently highly interested
congregation. The presence on that
bitter cold night, of a large num-
Der Of gray headed men and ven-
erabfe women, as well as the overflow
ing crowd Of the young and strong, was a
most encouraging expression of the inter-
est felt in the Association Of Young Men
under whose auspices the services were
held 1t should stimulate them to untir-
ing diligence in the noble work they have
undertaken; for surely they must know
that they have the prayers and hearty SYM
pathy of the best people Of the community
accompanying them.
DIR. SEARS ADDRESS.
After Introductory exercises of singing,
prayer and reading the Scriptures, DR..
Sears addressed the congregation on the
capabilities Of young men and the dangers
to which, as class, they are particularly
exposed. The long experience of DR.. Sears
in the instructio and management Of
young men, his opportunities for extended
observation, his evident sympathy with
the young, and the calm and comprehen-
sive equipoise of judgment known to dis
tinguish his mind, gave to his simple but
eloquent remarks a peculiar impressive
ness. Could the Association do a better
thing for itself and the young men of the
country than to obtain from the Doctor
the substance, if not the very words Of his
address, with view to it's publication?
Such counsels, so admirably expressed,
would certainly have great influence with
many of the young men who are to be the
leaders of thought in our country, and
who are peculiarly liable to be seduced
by the false but glittering philosophy
and science, so-called, of this age. Who
that heard it, can forget the solemn
and striking exhibition of the pernicious
influence on the manners and character OF
Greece and Rome, in Germany, in Eng
jand, III France, and elsewhere, of the ma
terialistic and epicurean sentiments SO
boldly and attractively advocated, not
only by prominent public men but through
the columns of the almost ubiquitous
newspapers!
OTHER ADDRESSES.
At the conclusion of DR.. Sears address,
brief remarks were made by other gentle
men. Rev. Mr.. Baker called attention to
the peculiar influence of the private men,
bers of the Churches in developing and
sustaining interest in this series of meet
ings as we'll as in the other great religious
movements Of late years. DR.. Manley
sought to stimulate the association by re-
Winding them Of the far-reaching power of
a single well-directed effort, illustrating
his exhortation by reference to the chain
of facts connected with the conversion OF
Baxter, Doddridge, Wilberforce, Chalmers
and Leigh Richmond. Mr.. Chas. Grafton
expressed the delight he had experienced
in attending the meetings; and Mr.. I. D..
Ransom, President of the Association, in
sisted with singular Righteousness on the
Importance of personal connection and
the spirit Of earnest work by every member
of the association in order to accomplish
the object before them. After the prayer
by A. M. Simpson, ESQ.,, and singing: the
congregation was dismissed by Rev. Mr..
Hullihen, of the Episcopal Church.