The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-30
Christian work.

Christian Work.
| MEETING IN AID OF THE YOUNG MEMS CHRIS
TAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF MAJOJ
STILES. REV. J. WILLIAM JONES, MAJOR W
+. C. GREGORY, AND OTHERs-SuBsTANTIAI
AID.
There was only a fair attendance ut Cen
| tenary church last night at the adjourned
| mass-meeting OF the citizens OF Richmond
| for the encouragement and aid Of the
| Young Mems Christian Association.
The meeting was called to order by ]. D
K. Sleight, president OF the Association,
and was opened by singing and prayer by
Rev. DR.. Read.
Mr.. sleight then read paper giving in
brief the history OF the Young Mems Chris
tian Association, its objects, its workings,
! and what it had accomplished. The Asso.
citation was organized in December.
Esq, as its first president. Du.
the broadcst philanthropy in the camps,
hospitals, prisons, and in the field. Sermons
were preached, prayer-meetings held, toe
sick visited, the dying consoled, and prison.
ers comforted. AT the evacuation the library
and endowment fund of the Association
were destroyed. They have now an average
Of fifty visitors, and some five hundred
volumes are monthly taken out Of its
| library. Prayer-meetings have been weekly
held at the Jail, penitentiary, almshouse,
and other destitute places.
Mr.. Sleight then briefly stated what was
designed to accomplish in future, and read
short constitution and bylaws. lie stated
that they intended, il possible, to go back
to the original purposes for which the AS.
sociation was formed, and that as this was
not meeting Of the Association, but OF the
citizens of Richmond, he would prefer that
citizen should preside, and called for
| nominations.
Rev. J. William Jones nominated Major
Robert Stiles, and he was unanimously
chosen. -
After singing the hymn comhseh cling
sWhat friend we have in Jesus" Major
| Stiles addressed the meeting in a mastery
argument in favor OF the objects for which
the meeting was called. He criticised tie
management Of the Association in some par
ticulars. He said that all Of its difficulties
| were perfectly remedial. Itwas the almost
universal opinion that il the Association
had to live as it had lived it bad better die.
He painted a beautiful picture OF what
Christian men should do for Christianity, not
only on Sunday but all through the week.
He said it was the duty OF all Christian men
to go out in the world and to work; to en-
courage, to counsel, and to aid those who
were in the paths Of temptation, and closed
with an eloquent yet very practical appeal
in behalf OF the objects for which the As
sociation was formed and for hearty and
substantial aid and encouragement for it.
Rev. J. William Jones gave an account
OF the great results Of the good work which
had flowed from the Young Mems Christian
Associations at the University OF Virginia,
at Washington and Lee, at the Military IN
stitute, and other places. Mr.. Jones said
he would have to diiIer with Mr.. Stiles IN
some things he had said. He did not be-
lieye that the Association had been dead
even for the past few years. He knew OF
their good work during the war, and also
Of the efficient missionary work they had
been doing in this city since that time. lie
considered that it was pleasant for Christians
OF all denominations to meet when they
were not to engage in fierce disputes over
questions upon which they differed, but TO
Master. 1t is the duty OF the Association
to GO about doing good to carry the Cos
pci to those who would not come to it. We
want attractive rooms, good library, and
something to draw the young men from the
paths of temptation, and, above all, warm
Christian hearts to go after these young
men and show them earnest, practical sym
pathy.
Major William T. G. Gregory stated that
having come TO Richmond short time
since to make his home, and being young
man, he Joined the Association, and he
thought he had done q very proper thlag
but when he heard a portion OF the re-
marks OF the chairman he began to imagine
he had been taken in, and he was glad to
hear the gentleman who followed. but
there was great truth in the remarks OF both
sneakers. lie proceeded at length in his
usually graceful and eloquent manner TO
areue in behalf of the Association, and for
better Christian feeling and work.
4 letter was read from Peter V. Daniel,
ESQ, rcgretting his inability to be present,
and expressing as great an interest IN inc
Association as when honored with the posi-.
ton OF its first president. The letter cioscd
with the offer to he one OF twenty citizenS
to give $50, or one Of forty TO give go, Tor
the instant relief from its embarrassment OF
the Association.
Rev. DR.. Read followed in a brief speech,
and offered 10 be one OF the forty to give
SO.
Mr.. John P. Branch said he would not
make Il snecch, but would be one OF twenty
to give $50, so did Colonel W. 2. Munford,
and Colonel Thomas j. Evans gave S25.
Subscriptions continued, and almost money
enough was raised to meet the present
wants Of the Association.
The meeting closed with the usual deYo-
tional exercises.
Although the meeting was not very large
X attended, it embraced leading represen-
tatives of every Christian denomination IN
the city, and was very interesting one.