Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-01
Y. N. C. A.
THETWENTY-sECON DANNIHERsARY
EXERCISES At OPERA HOUSE

The Preliminary Observation-Disclosures by the
President-Resume of What Has Been
Observation-Disclosures by Rev. Samuel
Conn and Rev. M. MEG. Dana
The twenty second anniversary services of
the st. Paul Young Mems Christian associa-
ton were largely attended at the Opera
house last evening. The audience was not.
perhaps, as great as upon former similar oc-
casions, owing undoubtedly to the immense
number attracted to the services at the Red
Rock camp meeting. Nevertheless, the as
ISOLATION cannot complain that there is
lack of interest in its proceedings as evinced
by the numerical strength of the auditory
last evening. The stage was occupied by
various members of the association, by the
Protestant ministry of the city, and by
large body of singers composed Of the vari-
GUS choirs Of the city lead by an organ and
cornet The president of the association,
Mr.. G. w. Hackett, had the proceedings in
charge, and the exercises throughout COM
manded the deep and silent attention of the
audience.
Nv PASAAAAiAAoAJ OAOASISCS COIuptlS0o d
short invocation by Rev. D. r. Breed, the
singing of the hymn, "Come, Thou Fount
of every blessing;'' couple of short script
ural readings by Rev. H. j. Crist; prayer by
Rev. Henry Cross; and the hymn, 81 gave
My life for thee.'
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS,
was then delivered by Mr.. G. w. Racket,
and was as follows:
To the patrons and friends of the Young
Mems Christian Association:
l make the following reports The work of
the T. M. z. A., for the past year, has been &C
complished under more than ordinary difficult
ties. think l may safely say that it has pass
ed through more and greater trials than ever
before since its organization. At the COM
mencement of the year, we had a debt upon us
of nearly $1,000, most of which was contracted
when there was laid upon the work of re-
ilevlng the poor of the city, and
before separate society for that
this, Was the general financial depression caus-
cd by the alarming prospect Of another grass
hopper raid throughout the State, which, as is
well known, affected the people of st. Paul al
most as directly as the people in the localities
where the scourge existed. This prevented us
from receiving the support we otherwise would
have had, and obliged us to curtail our sphere
OF usefulness in many ways where, with ample
means, we felt we could have accomplished
much good. Another embarrassment that
we labored under was that of being
without a. = president and general
At the commencement of the year we made
choice for our president of Col. j. H. David
son, a gentleman who is thoroughly efficient
and whose heart is very much in the work but
1t was only at the earnest solicitation of the
directors that he accepted the position for the
reason that he feared that his business engage
ments would prevent his giving to the place
That attention that its Importance demanded,
ana the result proved that his fears were we'll
grounded, for, while he gave SO much valuable
service while he continued in the position, he
found that his business would take him
away from the city for q considerable
part OF the time, and, consequently, rendered
MS resignation which was with many regrets
accepted. For various reasons which I will not
attempt to explain the office remained vacant
during the remainder of the year. About the
same time we were also deprived of the services
OF our general secretary, Mr.. o. C. Houghton;
and so we were left without any responsible
executive head for large part of the year.
Still, God did not permit the association to die,
and the faith of the directors was ever strong
to believe that there was a large work for
it TODD here in st. Paul, and the work went on
during the whole year.
The rooms in Odd Fellows block have all
the time been open to the public The reading
room n. has been literally supplied with choice
city newspapers, thus presenting an attractive
resort for young men, and counteracting to
some extent, the influence of the many places
of doubtful and bad character that exist on
nearly all Of our streets.
A weekly gospel meeting for young men has
also been carried on in the lecture room for
most OF the year, and, as the result of this, we
can point to some in our midst who there first
took Christ as their Savior
The Sunday afternoon Bible class in the
rooms, has also been sustained as well as the
Sabbath school in the chapel on Dayton bluff.
Gospel services have also been held in the Jail,
hospital, Dayton bluff chapel and other out
posts, all OF them with marked success.
Ut the self-denying work done by individual
members of the association in other channels
not enumerated, will not refer to in detail.
They are known to Him who takes notice of all
things, and the reward of the laborers in His
cause is sure. Thus briefly and imperfectIy
have referred to what has been done during
the past year.
Ihe year upon which we are now entering
opens with very encouraging prospects. The
directory succeeded, near the close of last wear.
IN securing the services of Mr.. E. A. Hold
ridge as general secretary and he has now fair
~ entered upon his work Under his leader
snip vigorous campaign is proposed. To put
this into operation and to pay all outstanding
indebtedness, it was deemed necessary to raise
the sum of So, 000 Already the canvass to do
THIS Is nearly completed, and, thanks to the
generous responses made by those called upon,
the sum has SO nearly been pledged that it is
thought that, when all have been solicited who
usually contribute, it will be fully raised.
will not attempt to give you in detail all
the plans OF work proposed for the future. The
names OF the different committees printed upon
tae programmes that are distributed through
out the town, will somewhat indicate this to
you. will, however, call your attention to
some OF the more important ones:
l. Special work for railway men. to include
the opening of a free reading room for
railway and steamboat men, plans
for which are now being made.
2. An effort to reach and interest the bows of
our city, not only to protect your sons from the
had lnfionces to which they are liable to be ex-
posed, but also to reach the lawless and de-
PRAYED boys that, are found in our midst in
such alarming numbers. 8. Gospel meetings
IN this house to reach, if possible, the great
body OF non-church goers in our city.
Aud now to the young men of St. Paul who
are a. not identified with the Y NJ. G. A., and in
Its behalf, l extend to you and all an in
carrying on this work. Our field
is so varied in its nature that we fceh that an
opportunity is offered to all, whatever their
talents may be- to assist and make themselves
useful in it. You can help us and we will try
to benefit you: The harvest truly is plente-
GUS but the laborers are few. Pray We, there
tore, the Lord OF the harvest that he will send
forth laborers into His harvest
REV. SAMUEL CONN, D. D.,
then proceeded in an address, and said SUBJ
stantially that, in the days of ancient Israel.
King Saul was severely criticized, and his
host gradually left him, but ssthere went
with him band of men whose hearts God
had touched" The speaker did not intend
to preach sermon. but he would weave a
few thoughts around the text. and nremisea