The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-23

| ~ meeting of the Young Mems Christian
Association was held in the beautiful ncm
lecture room of the Episcopal Church. There
was quite 4 crowd present and the exercises
were of the most interesting character. AT.
ter singing by the choir. and an earnest
prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Hullihcn, Dr. Il. S.
Hamilton, President Of the Association. in a
few brief remarks explained that the cxcrci-
ses would be similar to those held regularly
at the rooms aud would consist of reading a
chapter from the Bible. singing. and remarks
from members of the Association aud others.
He then read the 10Th chapter OF Romans
and proceeded to make some statements in
reference to the Association ami its work
Jugs. lie said that it was now in Il flourish
ing condition, and whilst there had been no
great aumber OF acccssions TO its membership
still there was au earnest feeling manifested
in its success which to say the least was very
encouraging. The aim and mission of the
association WAS 20 exercise christian iniln-
ence outside CT the Immediate domain OF the
church, but so farfrom there being any conflict
mental and auxiliary 10 The latter There
was work enough Tor totli and that work was
being accomplished with harmony that
would entire to the more extended circnla-
ton of the great truths OF christianity. and
to more immediate operation OF their be-
ncfcent influences. Between the minister
and the lay there was a gulf which should
not be bridged IL it could be, and which could
not be IL it was so desired they were sepa-
rate and distinct and each had its appointed
task.
After singing, Col. Skinner gave some in-
I teresting statistics with reference TO the in
ternational Christian Associations, and more
particularly those in the United States, and
closed his. remarks with an appeal to the cit
liens to assist the Association in building upits
library and thereby contribute to its influence
and usefulness. The annual subscription
price was only three dollars, and for this
small SIM access cohld be obtained TO oyer
two hundred volumes OF entertaining and in
structivc literature AZ & simple matter of
economy it should commend itself to every
household in the city, for there is scarcely a
reading family that does not spend many
times the amount i'll books during the year.
Col. Skinner was followed by DR.. Sears,
who in his usually clear and coacisc manner
dealt some telling blows at the theories of
the so-calcd scientists and the matcrialistic
arguments that are advanced TO prove the
absence OF IN all wise creator. He compli-
mented the Association on its work and the
great good it was accomplishing in the COM
munity, and commended i: to the cordial sup
port of The citizens generally aud more es-
peciallv OF all christian denominations.
The Rev. W. F.. Baker said that he could
heartily endorse the statement OF Col. Skin
ner with reference TO the economy Of sub
able to purchase all the books he desired and
had found that the small sum invested as IL
contribution to the library fund had been
most profitable. He spoke encouraginsiy of
the work o! the Association and its claim to
the heartiest enGorsation of all.
Rev. McDuff Simpson then made Il few re-
marks in which several apt illustrations were
introduced TO prove the power OF assimila-
ton in moulding character and defining
habits. He was followed by Capt. Thomas
D. Ransom. OK president OF the association,
who said that the citizens and particularly
the ladies had been most generous in their
efforts to promote the growth and extend
the influence OF the Association, and ii it
did not continue TO prosper the members
must lay the blame at their own door. When
ever called upon, the ladies turned out to q
man, and to their labors were to be attribu.
ted, in no small degree, the success already
attained. Whilst President Of the body, it
had been his good fortune to form friendships
which but for that agency he doubtless never
would have enjoyed, and to those friendships
he was indebted for some of the happiest
hours rs we'll as some Of the better influ-
ences OF his life. The weekly meetings
at the rooms had tended 20 dissipatc all Sec
tarianisms, and led to q more intimate
knowledge of many admirable characters.
Col. Hartman next addressed the meeting
upon the propriety Of obtaining more suita-
Bile rooms, and DR.. Hamilton closed the re-
marks by an allusion to the many agencies
that had operated against the society during
he heated term. and to its success in tiding
over them. and spoke Of the earnestness OF
the mem bers and the encouraging indications
of prosperous future.
After singing, the meeting was dismissed
with benediction by the Rev. Mr.. Baker.
We regret our inability to give at more
length the remarks Of gentlemen who spoke,
which were, without exception, most enter
tanning and interesting. The music, under
the direction of DR.. Brown, was exceedingly
fine and the last hymn. ''Secret prayer one
OF the most beautiful and excellently render
ed. we have ever listened to.
The annual meeting OF the Association is
held in May, at which time the various re-
ports relative to the working, membership
&c. will be made.
- 60
FIRE IN HARRISONBCRG.- last Thurs
day night whilst the democratic procession
was parading the streets Of Harrisonburg.
some malicious sconndrel set fire to the sta
bles attached to the Revere House, and be-
fore the flames could be extinguishetl several
valuable stables were consumed, and only
by the most heroic and extraordinary eXcr
tions were the two hotels saved. No horses
were burned but several bugsies and Wa
gons, together with hay, corn, &C., were
consumed. Intense excitement prevailed
during the prevalence OF the fire as ii was
rl,mored that the incendiary was negro,
| and that the deed had been actmtcd by
chagrin az the democratic demonstration.
| We understand also, that whilst the fire was
| raging and threatening to destroy the whole
| business part OF the town, several negro wo-
men were clapping their hands for Joy at
| the apprchended destruction. n this be
true, we can only say that the people OF
Harlisonburg displayed too much forbear-
ancc, and that the l.rovocation justified q
summary course in dealing with the hiaboli-
! cal fanatics.