The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-10


and such signs of interest and enthusiasm
were eyinced as to afford great encourage
ment.
| In the month OF January, Gen. G. D. John
son delivered an address before the Associa-
ton upon the Spiritual Status Of the Negro,
Jour duty and responsibility in the premises,
and urged that the Christian Associations
of the land ascertain and apply the means Of
improving that condition. The lecture was
well received, and steps looking to that end
were at once taken in the way of appointing
committees, &c. The committees were ac-
tive, meetings were held, Sabbath.schools
examined, churches visited, pastors inter-
viewed, results calculated, and estimates
were even about to be published, but either
from anxiety or precipitancy Of action on
our part, or from some other cause Or causes
unknown to us, the colored people failed to
regard the measure with favor, and the re-
ceipt by us of an official communication for
mally declaring their respectful but absolute
declinature of the overtures, relieved the
members of the Association, for the present
at least, of a weight Of responsibility and an
amount Of regular hard labor which they, in
their enthusiasm, perhaps never anticipated.
This is not intended to express the belief
that we arc relieved Of all responsibility in
the direction of our colored people, but for
organized effort in our capacity as Chris
tian Association, it is believed that, a. pres
ent at least, the way is not open.
The directory, which consists Of ten mem
bers, exclusive Of the President, Secretary,
and Treasurer, has been efficient, and no
meeting has ever been adjourned for want
Of a quorum.
Great difficulty has been experienced in
securing the services of the various commit
tees, and the President recommends that
the members be chosen more with reference
to their efficiency than to an equal church
representation.
RECOMMENDATION.
The President recommends the procur-
ment of an order of the Court for the legal
incorporation Of the Association, and the
securing of larger and more eligible rooms.
PRAYER MEETINGS.
| An important, and perhaps the most pro-
minent feature of the Association, is the
Sunday evening prayer-meeting, in which
the uniform, undated interest manifested
both in and out Of the organization, amounts
almost to matter of surprise. The exer-
cises have never been for single time omit
ted, and are generally well, and sometimes
largely attended. An interest has been
manifested, and religious sentiment formed
and diffused throughout the entire commu-
nifty, which has not unfrequently secured the
attendance Of persons living some distance
in the country.
The fact chat two religious meetings Of a
similar character are held on Sunday even
ing, has operated, in the opinion Of the Pres
ident, seriously against the efficiency Of both,
and whilst they have not actually conflicted,
but on the contrary the very warmest SYM
pathy has existed between them, still the
usefulness of both has been impaired. TO
remedy this, the President suggests, and the
suggestion is made solely in the highest in
terests of christianity, that the meetings be
held on alternate Sundays, or that the Chris-
tian Association, (Which as is implied by its
very name, overshadows and embraces all
other good objects and is therefore real
temperance organization, though not re-
stricted to that object alone) be allowed to
absorb and operate the prayer meetings Of
all the organizations. And further, in order
to give due prominence to the cause OF Tenn
perance, that arrangements be made and
proper notice thereof published, that at sta
ted times, even if it should be every other
Sunday evening, the meeting be held in the
Town Hall, or some other public building,
that it be open to the ladies and that Tenn
perance be made the special object of the
occasion. This is only suggestion made,
in what the President believes to be, the in
terest of the Christian and Temperance
cause.
In the prayer meeting work the Associa-
ton has not done its whole duty. The meet
ings have not had enough attention during
the sceek to insure success on Sunday. If
the leader would exert himself and implore
divine aid during the week, there is every
ways be crowded and that more direct and
substantial results would be witnessed. It
may be said that not single conversion
may be pointed to as occurring within the
rooms themselves. That is true, and it is
not presumed to attribute to these services
even all the other evidences of good that \
have seemed to result from them. But one
thing is certain, that if not on account Of,
at least cotemporaneous with these, have
been displayed remarkable signs ofimprove.
ment, both in and out Of the organization.
OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Two main objects Of the organization, says
the report, are the development and cultiva-
ton Of Christian graces and religious senti
ment among ourselves, and the bringing un-
der gospel influences Of these who have hith-
erto been out Of the reach Of the church and
of other instrumentalities calculated to eff
feet their conversion. In these we have not
ueeu WHOLLY UNSUCCESSFUL, on Cne CO0Cr airy
we have reason for encouragement and
should be thankful to God for allowing us to
put ourselves in condition to effect some
thing-to be used for some purpose in the
advancement Of His great cause.
In this view Of it, said the President, is
there any amongst us who is unable to see
any good resulting from our efforts in this
direction? In answer, let me quote, in sub
stance, what said in this connection two
or more months ago.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
As then so now, ask him to reflect mo-
ment upon the Sabbath Schools that bedeck
the confines Of our city on all sides, and
count the number OF earnest workers from
this Association engaged therein from Sun
day to Sunday. Let him take single Sab
bath afternoon to stand and watch the peo-
pie, oldand young, male and female, as lit
orally, in streams they hurry along our
streets in search Of various prayer meetings
held in different localities of the city; let
him recall the numerous other evidences of
rQtiOi0uS infopoSt hot mi