Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-12-05
letter to The Christian People Of Woed-
stock.
DEAR FRIENDS.

DEAR FRIENDS.
1T appearing that the
Young Mems Christian Association, its
object and lis work are frequently mis-
understood By the people, we have
deemed it advisable to Issue this letter
that the matter may be made plain to
your minds, for we feel assured that
rightly understanding us you can no
longer refuse your countenance, support
and hearty cooperation. The opposi-
ton of Satan and the world we expect,
but the antagonism of any christian we
feel we do not deserve.
The main object Of this Association
is the promotion ofevangelical religion
by the conversion Of sinners to Christ,
and by the cultivation Of christian SYM
pathy between members Of different
denominations. We also labor for the
general improvement of ourselves and
all young men not only spiritually but
also morally and socially. In looking
after those Of our own town we do not
disregard the claims of those further
removed.
BY personal effort in the spheres ofour
daily life we hope to accomplish much
good. Our regular monthly meetings,
bringing us into closer contact and eX-
preston Of our views, we expect to in
prove US in that charity which thinketh
no evil and Is kind. BY our prayer
meetings held every Sunday afternoon
we learn to pray IN public and to con-
duct religious meetings, thus becoming
more active and efficient members of our
churches. THIS is the meeting which
we most cordially invite our unconver-
ted friends to attend, doing all we can
to render pleasant and beneficial tho
short time spent here, The exercises
last from half to an hour, and are
conducted entirely by those volunteer
ing to do SO. BY the establishment of
Sunday-schools through the country we
hope to be blessed in doing good. Pub
lie Lectures and Readings, will
give pleasant and harmless entertain
ment to ourselves and all others. By
our Reading-Room and Library, we
place within the reach of all, good, en-
tertainins, and instructive reading.
Any other agencies in accordance with
the scriptures will be employed.as they
may seem called for IN the fttrtherance
of our plans.
The work accomplished can be briefly
stated. We maintain a Reading-Room
we'll supplied with secular magazines
and newspapers, agricultural journals,
andreligious papers. We have organiz-
ed in the country three Sunday-sehools,
superintendent by members, and under
the care of the Association. These
schools are interesting, well attended
and almost entirely self sustaining.
They have an average attendance of
so scholars, making $50 children bene-
fitted by the workings of this Associa-
ton in our county, the effects Of which
will be felt in after years. We believe
our prayer-meeting was the means of
n ,rrpl -Sr, - loJ,s ,Oo 81 n
Saviour, and we know it has been a
blessing to us as christians. The work
remaining to be done is great and inn
portant. Many in our midst are yet
unconverted, the number Of books in our
library is small, and our membership
far less than it should be.
While we desire the prayers of all
christians, we would most earnestly
request that a united effort be made to
help this good work forward. If you
cannot take an active part yourself, use
your influence with those around you,
endorse the sentiments herein express
ed, and urge on others that they do not
let their Association die out in our
midst for the lack Of assistance and
christian fellowship. Encourage them
by act, counsel, and pecuniary assis-
lance, that this good work may not be
frustrated, but may grow and increase
to the glory OF God, and the advance
ment of Christ's kingdom.
W. w. LOGAN, Prest.
W. II. NEWMAN, Secy.