Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-01-26

0leQ fOr me-" showing ways u Oullotial
effort, he spoke Of a Sabbath-school class
among the convicts in the penitentlary
taught by Col. VIM. P. Munford, OF RichS
mond, among the scholars Of which were
some unquestionable conversions.
In this matter of the colored race, the
South must rise to the measure OF true
greatness !; she cannot afford to do less ;
she has been great in peace and IN war,
and she cannot afford to be little in this.
WHO SHALL Do IT.
The church in the past three years had
accomplished very little il this matter.
There were three causes l. Lack OF con-
cert of action ; 2. UNCONVENTIONAL preju>
dices and 3. Lack Of aggressiveness. The
Young Mems Christian Association was
distinguished for a-ggressiveness, and is the
only organization that can be relied upon
for a successful prosecution of the work.
Its advanced thinkers have talked the mat,
ter over. The movement, of which the
speaker was the agent, had been commence
ed by the International Association, at the
suggestion of southern Christians. Our
Northern brethren %sympathized with it,
and have raised the funds to prosecute it,
placing it entirely in the hands of South
ern men.
Virginia had spoken, and the speaker
now wanted Staunton, an educational Gen.
tire, recognized as the seat of refinement
and morality, to add her endorsement.
HI ron1l hnuvoJar SOW i, oduanaa thof n
was not easy work. Even those for whom
the work is undertaken resist it, but If
they would pray over it God would open a.
way. 1t was a fundamental, elemental
truth that no man makes a sacrifice for
God, that He does not reward him. Work
for me, and L will pay you. is Gods prom
Use. He asked this endorsement of the
work in Virginia, for its weight. The au-
dience might not know the influence Of
their state in the South, but he would tell
them that he knew Virginia had a moral
influence greater than any two states in the
South.
The following resolution, offered by
Capt. T. G. Morton, relative to the work,
was adopted
s'That this Association has heard with
interest and profit the stirring appeal made
by our brother from Alabama, Gen. G.. D.
Johnston, for the spiritual enlightenment
of the colored people in the South, and
that we pronounce ourselves fully in &C
cord with the spirit of his mission.
THAT a committee composed of one from
each church represented in this Associa-
ton be appointed by the President, whose
duty it shall be to inquire into the con-
dition of the colored people in our midst,
and ascertain if there be a way open for
US to labor amongst them, and, if SO, how.
and that said committee shall report the
result of their Investigation at our meet
ing"
The chairman appointed the following
gentlemen as the committee: T. c. Nor
ton, chairman, I'd Presbyterian; A. M.
Simpson, Methodist; Geo. P. Baker, Luz
theran; II. M. McIlhaney, Episcopal; J.
W. Todd, Baptist, and VIM. a. McCue,
LIST Presbyterian.
Capt. Thos. D. Ransom, n of the dele
gates to the Petersburg convention, then
gave some "reminiscences of it. The re-
sumo Of the report for Virginia was not
very fattering as regards progress Of the
Association generally. In the matter Of a
fund for a state secretary only one Asso-
ciation had contributed, and that gave $50
This money was sent on by the StauntoD
Association, but was the result of the Lbs
crafty of few individuals in it, There
are now 500 more Associations in the
United S, ates than there were twelve years
ago. Capt. Ransom stated that it was said
at the Petersburg convention that $4,000
men of Lees army were converted by ass
sociations in the army similar to the
Young Mems Christian Associations.
The consideration of a resolution for
sharing the expense of a state secretary
was postponed till anoth er meeting, and
the meeting adjourned.