Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-06-03
Seni-Annua Report Of the Pres
iIent Of the u. VI. &. a.

I
ident of the u. VI. &. a.
Brethren of the Y. NJ Z. Am
other six months has passed, and a re
view of what has been accomplished
through Gods help, may be Of profit
and encouragement to all.
We have made rapid strides in the
last six months. Eleven active mem.
bers have been added, and the brethren
seem to have spirit of work for the
Master. Such zeal i'll such cause is
cheering to my heart. Our brethren
have been instrumental in organizing
Associations at Harpers Ferry, Smith
field and other points, and callers have
come TO us from distance.
We had a convention at Leesburg,
in Virginia, and | am sure eternity
alone can reveal what has been done.
Surely, it was a precious season, aud
long to be remembered by all who at
tended.
Our Reading Room has been opened
regularly since January lst. Consider
able interest is taken in it by young
men, and if we could in any way in
crease our library it would be to our
profit. a great many books are stored
away in private houses in town, that
would be read with pleasure if we had
them.
We have few papers that come reg
uiarly to our room, but they are getting
less even our own town paper we tail
to find upon our table. Cannot some
thing be done to make our room attrac-
tive?
We have had three Lectures during
the post term. The first by Rev. J. +.
Cannon, of Leesburg; the second by
Hon. A. r. Boteler and third by Rus
sell Sturgess, Jr., of Boston, Mass.
These lectures were all well attended,
but did not result financially as we had
desired.
Our Prayer Meeting Committee has
been active, and have held meetings in
and around town regularly, and with
success. The last Of December 1875,
and first of January 1876, we held
meetings every day for month or
more. A great revival began and ma
nv were quickened into new life, aud
many out of Christ led into the fold.
Surely God has been with US, and to
him be all the glory.
Our public prayer meeting on Sun
day evening has increased in interest
and members, and with the new feature,
praise and promise meeting, added, we
can expect for it much success.
Our Friday night meetings have been
well attended. But am panied to re-
port falling off for the last six weeks.
Brethren, here is our strength, Prayer.
Shorn of this and we fall. Let us come
ND as often as we can. ! would ven
ture to suggest to the next Prayer
Meeting Committee, the proprle:y OF
holding cottage meeting often as con
venienl, as some are too infrm to come
out to our meetings, and we may reach
some in this way, who never get to
meetings OF any kind. / read few
weeks since, in Baltimore paper, the
report of the Prayer Meeting Commit,
tee Of Baltimore Association, they held
ninety.three prayer meetings in one
week. Surely, brethren, We are not
doing all we can.
The Committee to visit sick and poor
have been active, and have answered all
calls made upon them. 1t has been
my privilege 20 visit with this commit.
tee, on one occasion, and we are assured
. God has been working through them.
We began what is, termed Bible read
ing in our Room, a few months ago
and those who engaged in these exer
cises were pleased and / am sure profit
ed. At our last meeting but three were
present, and we have not held any since
! | like these exercises very much ano
think they would profit us if we would
only take enough interest in them.
Our brethren have been considering
the question of open air service.
think from what / have seen and heard
of them they can be conducted in sucf
way as to do good, and that is what
we are to do. If people will not come
to US, and our service, We must take the
Gospel to them.
l think we have need 20 praise Coo
for what we have been able 10 do tol
his cause. Let us take courage aud &c
forward in our Masters work. Let oul
success encourage us to come bold,
to Gods throne, and ask for more
strength-more faith; more of the mint
of Jesus; more of the spirit Of selfsacri
fee: more Of his temper, and having
these "Let us not be weary of well do
ing, knowing that in due season WI
shall reap if We faint not"
Respectfully submitted,