Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-05-26

DENT-ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
&C., &C., &C.,
An unusually large number of the men,
bers of the Association having met at their
rooms last Thursday night, at s O'Clock,
the meeting was called to order by Presl-
dent Ransom, and after She preliminary
devotional exercises appropriate to the &C.
casion, the President made his annual re-
port, which, as giving the history OF the
Association for the last year and affordlng
most encouraging evidences OF its pros
perity, will interest it's many friends In
Staunton and vicinity.
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Capt. Ransom, after some Introductory
remarks, said that the year past had been
marked bv an increase not only Of mem
bership but of activity and interest in the
organization, and it is most gratifying to
be able to assure you, at its close, that the
Y. M. G. A. of Staunton, which, as an
experiment, was regarded by many with
distrust if not disfavor, has gained ground
steadily in the confidence and goodwill of
the community, and may now be looked
upon as one Of the established institutions
Of this city
MATERIAL PROGRESS.
We number at present 211 members, OF
whom 1856 are active, 60 associate and -
honorary.
Two Of our members have been taken
from us by death during the year.
Seven members Of the associate class
have, during the year, connected them
selves with the church, and been trans
formed to the roll of active members.
In view of the large number of young
men not professors Of religion, who have
joined with us in this organization, and in
whose eternal welfare we should for that
reason feel especial interest, it is a grave
question whether we have done orr full
duty in this direction.
Let us take this thought upon our hearts
in the coming year, and let each resolve as
occasion offers to show these dear friends
of ours that we long to know that their
names are registered also in the Book of
Life.
X You are called
upon at this meeting to elect Directory
of fourteen members, to conduct the af-
fairs of th6s Association for the ensuing
year-to consist of a President, five vice
Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Libra
rian, and five other Directors.
Each of the five church denominations OF
the city should be represented in the Di
rectory, and equality of number Should be
aimed at rather than proportional repre-
sentation according to the strength Of the
church. But believe it to be of the first
Importance that your Directory shall be
composed without exception of active,
earnest Christian men who have the work
and the welfare of the Association at
heart, and who are willing to give it time
and thought.
You will consult the interest of the AS
ISOLATION and confer favor on myself by
selecting new President, one who has
more leisure and at the same time more
energy and activity to devote to the work.
I would recommend that you put upon the
Board some member who is identified with
the large class of railroad employees in
the city, among whom we have as yet ac-
complished but little; [ suggest, too, that
the new Board proceed without delay to
procure an order from the Judge of the
Circuit Court for the legal incorporation
of the Association with a nominal capital,
but with right to create q joint stock
company by subscription if hereafter de-
sired for building OF other purposes. This
would put us upon a more assured foot
ing, giving us the legal right to hold and
insure our property to take under be-
quest, etc.
After alludlng at length to tie First An
niversary Meeting of the Association,
which met in Nov'r the I'd, and the State
Convention, which met here IN December,
and the gratifying results of these meet
ings; also, to the Festival given by The
ladies in February and the rich results
therefrom, and recommending that when
circumstances will justify it a room should
be fitted up as Ladies' Parlor Reading
Room. Capt. r. concludes Eve have kept
up during the year Sunday afternoon
prayer-meeting for young men only, which
has generally been well attended, and
which has, we trust, borne it's fruits.
will not presume to trace results to the
operations Of this Association, feeling as
/ do that we have not done what we might.
But certain it is that within the past
twelve months there has been an unusual
degree of interest manifested throughout
our community about the things Of relig-
ion, and many more accesslons to the
md a 0f
unity between the churches and among
church people that did not exist before,
and the cause Of temperance has gained
ground and the Lodges increased in
number and in their membership Of the
reformed, in manner which shows that
the arm of tie Lord was in their work. We
are associated brethren for objects worthy
of high endeavor to systematic effort for
the promotion Of evangelical religion, to
cultivate church sympathy between the
churches and til ell members. and to afford
facilities for friendly social intercourse
and for the mental cultivation and enjoy
ment of the young men OF the town IN
which We live, let us seek to strengthen
and perpetuage this Association, and to
promote these noble objects by SEN
satlonal efforts, not arrogating to our
selves the appropriate work Of the church,
not seeking to improve on Gods own plan.
but quietly working through cur appro-
pirate agencies as the ENJOYS and servants
of the church, seeking to bring the wan
dering to her doors, trying to put wrong
doors in the right way and to help the
makers of a profession to be true to it.
and 'slet us not be weary in we'll doing, for
in due season we shall reap il we faint