Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-06-09
Letter from Richmond, Virginia.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION on YOUNG MEN
Christian ASSOCIATIONS.


your paper for the following article, you will
greatly oblige the writer.
Some hardly know there is an Association In
Montpelier, and many who do, seem to take but
little interest In its welfare And doubt whether
their minds have ever followed the great work OF
the Associations In our own land and the British
Provinces. These Associations were calledt TO meet
in convention at Richmond Va, on Wednesday,
May 26th ls75that reports Of the different states
and provinces might be received that encoumg-
ing words might he spoken, and that the way 10
reach the different classes who know not Of saliva
ton through Christ might be considered.
The citizens OF Richmond received us warmly
and seemed anxious 10 do everything In their
power to make the delegates, who came among
them as friends feel at home. And think all the
delegates would unite in say ng that they now know
something Of what virgnan hospitality" is.
The convention was 10 have organized at eleven
o'clock ON Wednesday, but owing to disappont-
meut in special train from Washington about
one hundred delegates had not arrived, and the
organization did not take place until four o'clock,
P. NJ. when the Seventh street Christian church
was well filled with delegates
The exercises opened with singing Blest be the
tie that binds, etc
After the election Of temporary secretary,
President Taylor made few Introductory re-
marks. The convention was congratulated that
it met under such pleasant and suspicious circum-
stances Success has been with the efforts Of the
associations and churches all over the country the
past year. and the prayers Of many Christians
have been ascending that God might bless this
convention and unite our hearts in Christian love.
The convention had once before met in Rich
mond In 1857, when the work was in its infancy;
now it is In rs strength. After other remarks,
committee was chosen to nominate permanent Of
fcers. When the committee announced the
name Of Joseph Hardic Of Selma, Alabama, as
President, it was received with applause, and the
convention rose 10 its feet and sang,
Bies, be the Tie tina, binds"
The following officers were then elected Presi-
dent, Joseph Hardie Vice Presidents, 4. X.
Remington, Massachusetts, NJ X. jessup, New
York, j b Morrow. Nova Scotia l.. W. Mum
hall, Indiana, George Hague, Ontario J.. 5. Cros-
by, Michigan d c. Englis, New jersey, J. u.
o Bryan. Tennessee; u. A.Wadron Rhode Island
G. L. Wheat, Kentucky d K. Noyce, Minnesota;
W. +. Mumford, Virginia Recording Secretary,
J. v l. Graham. Assistants, H. L. Porter, T. L
Iockhar and J. W. Jones
President Hardic made some very pleasing
marks saying he would take the responsibility,
in humble dependence upon the guiding spirit Of
the Lord, and desired the prayers Of ALL that he
might be strengthened for the work lie trusted
all would put ~ down, and hft high the banner
Of Christ
In the evening there was Welcome meeting ut
the Second Baptist church. and before the writer
A.. f.tu
flowing. and had the church been twice as large
it would have been just rs iull. The church was
decorated with eyergreens and flowers, and pre-
sented, just what the motto over the pulpit eS-
pressed welcome"
In the rear OF the pulpit was another MOTTO" II
we love one another God dwelleth in u.s." Al the
left Of the pulpit the motto Peace and Love be
multiplied" On the right by love serve one
another" The welcome hymn was written for
the occasion, and sang by full choir Of over
eighty voices; words follows:
wE1coME-mYMw.
Grateful hearts and cheerful voices
Swell our sacred song tonight
Sending up to God Thanksgiving
For the scenes which gree, our sight.
Thanks give for that sweet spirit
which has hither drawn from far.
Such eoodiy hand Of pilgrims
Guided by loves gentle star
Christian friends We bid you welcome
Welcome to this sacred place;
Fof We Joy with unioli gladnsss
Herr to meet you face 70 face
Welcome to our homes We bd you;
Welcome to our social cheer,
Hearts and hands give yoa freely,
for you all are breth. IN here.
Thus shall all our hearts b. strengthened
Filed With love and holy fear;
Wisdom crown acts and counses
In these days Of converse here.
Thus the saviour shall be honorei.
IN tni- feast Of Christian love.
And these gatherings be The forctasie
OF reunion sWeet above.
After the welcome meeting came the banquet, at
the Association Hall where bountiiul supply Of
luxuries greeted the eye and taste After time
had been spent in ieasting on the good things
the ladies Of Richmond had supplied and listen
ing to music by Richmond band, the delegates
separated, pronouncing the Welcome an en- oyable
affair.
The report OF the executive committee who
have held office for the past eight year, shows
that the associations have made a rapid advance
in that time. Then there were sixty-fye associa-
tons reported-now five hundred and thirty-six.
Then ffty-two associations represented over
two hundred. Then there was one building
owned by an association, valued at 81 OOO-now
there are ity-siX buildings valued at 50, i3. 800
Then there were nine general secretaries en-
poyed-now ninety Then there were sSS5 paid
to support the work Of these secretaries in All
their duties last year 500 ili were expended in N.
work by the executive and state committees The
work has made great progress in the south, the
northwest and especially among the Germans
There are now twenty German associations. and
one Chinese
The meetings on Thursday Friday and satur-
day were well attended, and the subjects dis
cussed were Of vital interest to Associations The
speakers from all parts Of the country showed
great interest in the Association work, and words
OF encouragement came from them all
Farewell meetings were held Sunday evening
in three churches, at which many pleasant words
were sioken-words that will be long remembered
by all who heard them Major H. p LLOYD, Of
Cincinnati especially, expressed the minds OF the
convention when he said The citizens of Rich
mond had indeed opened wide their gates. re-.
eeiyed their guests into warm hearts. and left
nndone nothing necessary TO their comfYrt or
pleasure They would carry with them the mos,
pleasant memories OF Richmond hospitality, and
would offer feryent prayer that a rich blessing
might remain on the beautiful city He earnestly
appealed to all present to stand on the broad
platform OF Christian love, where there was room
for ALL and to go forth from this grand gathering
determined to work o. sing on, and pray on un-
til every hill and valley shall be vocal with the
praises Of our Redeemer.
This meeting closed the convention, and Mon.
day the delegates departed knowing each other
better, and greatly blessed by the reunion they
had enjoyed
COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT Colleqe-
Baccalaureate and Hitchcock Society OF Inquiry
address, Sunday, July 4; Hyde prize oratIons and
Kellogg prize declarations, Monday July 5; class
day, Tuesday, July g. Alumni meeting and re-
ceptioni and Grafton before the Literary Societies
Wednesday July Il Commencement Thursday
July g. The Alumni have nominated Messrs
George Rowland, 80, Rufus b. Kellogg, '5s. and
Henry d. HYDE 81, for trustees.