The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-18
YOUNG MEN'scHR1sTfAN ASSOC IATION
!. .,.. .,se -.s;s... ANNIVERSARY. = =. I: e.

RI ,.i.at -; ANNx GEtO0&b IL *
H. -q-.s 4.'.-s y,
INTERESTING SERVICES ADDREssEs BY TIL
PRESIDENT, r. b IA iSsoN, REV. DIR. SEARS
COL. J. H. Observation-Disclosures By REvs
/ BAKER AND MANLY 4Ercs, ETC, ETC.
3 The first anniversary Of the Young Mems
Christian Association of St:tintcn, was celebra
ted at the Presbyterian church, OH Tuesday
night. Quite large assembly. were present
and the proceedings were Of the most interest.
ing and Instructive character.
After the beautiful hymn, "Crown Him.
had been sung by the staunton Masical Asso.
citation, led by DR.. Brown, ina manner which
clicitcd praise from every lip, the Rey..J. !.
Afii,er offered q iervent and earnest prayer. I'M
yookine the Divine benediction upon the socie-
ty whose Anniversary they had assembled to
celebrate, ana, eou,ue pding the noble work
to the care and protection OF tine Great Guide
and Teacher OF mankind.
| Mr.. Ransom then read a chapter from the
Bible, and the a,,dierfce Joined in singing the
hymn, ''Precious Name ;. c:sAs,. 3.4&.e. = r.
PRESIDENT RxNsoN's ADDRESS.
[. AS. President 81 the Young Mems Christian
Association, Mr.. Ransom delivered brief. adj
dress or the organization, aim and work Of the
association. He said that one year ago the or
ganization was formed with sixteen members.
These had been banded together fors the pur-
pose OF advancing the moral, social and literary
interests Of the towb; and above all the cause
of Christianity. The forces had been collected
from all .dcnominatiens,.la and now numbered
one hundred, and twenty-five, Of which any
community might ! feel proud. Primarily,
they were Christians, and the denominational
complexion was entirely secondary. In the
service were enlisted, eayalry, artillery and in
fantry, whose business it was to seek out those
by the wayside, bring them into SOCIAL COM
munior, elevate and refine the taste and teach
them that the pleasures Of literature, and the
Influences OF Christianity are abovesthe sordid
destinations (which allure the young and mex.
perienced and lead them down, down to ruin
and despair. They do not tell a young man
that he is lost; that the devil has already marked
him as his prey, but they cndeavored to make
him realize that Christianity is cheerful, and to
this end intellectual amusementswere provided
such as lectures, monthly and devotional meet
ings, whilst every evening the rooms were
thrown open to all. They try, too, to make
their own lives purer and better, land in this
way gain the respect of those whom they cs-
say to lead, and as all good deeds are reflected
back on their doors, they feel themselves: sus-
tanned and strengthened: and encouraged to
more strenuous exertions in the work to which
they are pledged. This outdoor exercise would
prove beneficial to great many spiritual inva-
lids if they would but engage in it in earnest,
and the self-consciousness Of duty performed
would buoy them OH to renewed efforts.
If the Young Mems Christian Association
has been instrumental in saving one soul, it has
been more than compensated for its labors, but
he felt that much more had been accomplished,
widening and expanding, and bring within
the circumference of its influence many who
might otherwise have never known the COM
forts of Christianity. It brings men into So
cial contact, and enables them to know each
other better and to respect each other more.
had yet to learn of one jar, or one unkind
thought, or unfriendly word.9 -: ~ .
- DIR. SEARS ADDRESS.
! At the close Of his remarks. the Presidents
introduced the Rev. Dr.. Sears, Who had been
selected to deliver the address,, 49, -:
!. The speaker began by saying flat Mr.. Ran
son had given Il first rate lay sermon, and that
he intended to follow pretty iauch~in the same
pathway. IIe desired to say a-tew words up
on self culture with refeeence to the dangers
to morals, and in opening lie laid st down as =
proposition that the will Of God ought to be
the rule Of christian lives, This rule would,
require ustto exercise the ibraadcst charity in
d.aling with our electromagnetic make no dis
tinctioll favorable to ourselves. but work as a
whole for the good of Christ This, however,
was the principle, not the rule. Every man
has n ecifics by which he regulates his own
conduct, but this formula does not apply when
we sit down to solve the life problems which
are daily brought under our notice..
Wear inseparabie from olirselves.and should
therefore begin first to regulate our own con-
work where the most good carr be accomplish
ed, and as we have more influence with our
selves than others, the first efforts should be
directed to the objects nearest. The Bible tells
us to lov, our neighbor as ourselves. 1t pre-
sumes that all love themselves. and gilaging
theirlove for Others by the standard given, this
simple sentence is laid down as the fundamen-
tai principle Of Christian duty. First
look into your own soul, attend to- your own
culture, subduc your own passions and preju-
diccs, root out the sin from--you own heart,
and when these nearer obstacles are removed
the view will be extended, the enjoyment more.
substantial. What nobter object than to see
man battling with. his own inward enemies,
conquering, the. foes that beseigc the'citadef OF
his own heart, working against the forces, that
invade his better nature and executing the trail
tors that betray the trust imposed in them? = .
A man must have inherent energy, and fix
ed, definite aim. Withoutthem lie Is as ship at
sea without compass or urliddcEs tossed hther
and thther, the sport of every beeeze, the plsy-
thing of every wave. Learn, theh,t to say mo, ~
and let it be, decisive. adj 1fnsla Many who
have never taught themselves the significance
of that little monosyllable, haze been Led ON
from one excess to another until the end came,
in. the. dungeons Of utter wretchedness.---
Young men be guarded against sensuaity::
e,,o;a+,- So con s,,al: fhe ace is sensual: the