Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-19
An Hmnresstx. Acene.

The Petersburg "Post''o Of Tuesday thus
describes the closing ceremonies OF the
Young Mems Christian Association Of
Virginia Sunday night last
And now came one Of the most impress
sive scenes OF these interesting exercises.
1t was one that, no doubt. will live long IN
the minds OF every person present, and
whenever remembrance wakes her DuSy
train the breast will swell as it recalls this
sight. AS soon as the last words OF the
first verse of tile hymn died away. Rev.
MI. Hall arose and said that as they would
soon separate to follow different paths OF
life, he wished that before the convention
adjourned al the members Of the PETERS,
burg Association and all the delegates
would come forward and form a circle
around the platform and join hands While
they sang again, 'Shall we gather at tile
river 7" Everyone thus invited arose
promptly and moved toward the beautiful
altar, forming an oblong circle, one-iialf OF
which stood in rear of The pulpit, Gne
other around the platform i'll the front, all
with hands joined. In the centre stood
the manly and martial figure OF zen.
Geo. d. johnson, q hero and d Christian.
Clasping his left hand was the great army
chaplain, DR.. j. VIM. Jones, his fine coun-
UClduCC UO0lhllS Will CAaOtlOh3 10 WV '
denced by the nervous twitctlingS about
the mouth and the smiles If satisfied love
that his features indicated. Rev. L. K.
Cree clasped Gen. Johuson's right hand,
and in the act seemed to pledge The len-W-
ed application OF his great abilities TO the
St. engthening of the cause. Next was
Mr.. Thomas d. Re- nson, the president OF
the convention, tall, spare and dignlfied,
commanding the respect Of all who looked
upon hisis, and practically setting sucn a
glorious example of work for the Master
even in the days of his youth. On his left
Was the courtly figure Of Col. William z.
Munford, the Nestor of the Richmond
Association. Capt. T. G. Morton, of the
by him stood that grand minister OF
Christ, DR.. c. FL. Read, VINO doomed up
nobly in this goodly company. Rev. Z. I.
Eaton and Rev. William j. Smith, OF Roa-
noke College, were also in the pulpit,
Further down the circle stood our honor
ed townsman, Hon. Charles f. Collier, and
none stood up more bravely lor his Master
than he.
sOther prominent citizens, among whom
were to be seen MI. P. S. Seabury, Capt.
S. w. Jones, James B. Blanks, r. M.
Doble, B. b. Vaughan, DR.. j. Edward
Moyler, j. Gray M~cCandlish, A L.. Lulns>
den, r. w. Collier, G. FL. Warwick, j.
George Wilkinson, Capt. Geo. j.. Rogers
and many others, were here.
after the circle was formed, and while
all were standing with hands joined, the
beautiful hymn ''Shall we gather at the
river!" was commenced by DE-. Hall. The
emotions Of many were at first too strong
for utterance, a,-u the rich, full voice OF
DR.. Hall could be distinctly heard. The
eyes f some ran over with tears, and the
voice refused TO give u%tterance. Presently
came the chorus, and then as the glad re-
frain Yes, we will gather at the river
arose, it seemed that nope and joy found
utte:ance, and the voices Of all again
swelled the chorus to volumes that rang
sweetlY through the large building.
Then, commencing On the left Of this
altar, each member of the Association
tilyd past the president. stationed in the
pulpit, and took an afTectionate leave OF
him and the distinguished gentlemen neal
him. Dr.. Read offered q prayer, and then
all the members, still standing with joined
hands, repeated the Lords prayer.
MIR. Ransom came forward and dis
solved the Convention, the long>metre
doxology was sung, and the congregation
dismissed with a blessing by Mr.. Eaton