Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-08-15

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ally around at the bald heads and spec
tacles of many in the room. which created
much laughter.) suppose you are all
members of the church. Let me say to
you that if you think that you can do work
in an Association that you could not do in
the Church if you tried, you are mis-
taken.
Col. Jas. Fl. Skinner, of Staunton, re-
piled to Mr.. Bowman in one of the most
eloquent addresses we have heard. He
said the Association was party of lay
men organized to do Christ's work, which
had always had the kindly countenance of
clergymen, without which he was not
sure they could get along, and he trusted
they should always enjoy and deserve that
countenance. 1t was not exclusively the
work of the ministers to visit thepoor and
minister to the sick. Christian work is
not confined to the clergy. Euery Chris
tian is an Apostle of Christ. Christ him.
self has laid down the work for his follow
ers: For was an hungered, and ye gave
me meat; T was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was stranger. and ye took me
in; naked, and We clothed me; was sick,
and ye visited me; was in prison, and ye
came unto me''
And, Col. S. added, a part of the work
was to giue, not only days time but
days pay to the work.
Mr.. Heber Ker, of Staunton. in reply
to Mr.. Bowman gave rapid and practi-
cal review Of the work done by AssOcia-
| tions with their out door meetings, visiting
| prisoners, their furnishing meals to the
| hungry. their hunting out men feeding and
clothing them and making them feel that
they are worth saving. These are things
! that the church does not attempt to do but
| its noble ministers encourage their layMen
to go out and do it.
| Mr.. Hoover disclaimed, in what he had
previously said, any reflection on 4arri-
sonburg, but had merely expressed the
wish that our influence might impress
them there to good result. AS to the
work of the Association he had thought
even our brother from Harrisonburg I'M
derstood what the Association work was,
| laughter.) .
The meeting then adjourned until
SATURDAY MORNING
| when it re-assembled at II O'Clock.
Regrets at inability to attend the con-
vention were expressed on behalf of r. T.
Scott, President of the Warrenton Asso-
citation, Rev. J. VIM. Jones, of the Rich
mond Association, W. P. Munford of the
same Association and two officers Of the
International Association.
The committee to which had been re-
ferred resolution by Mr.. Hoover for
holding an annual convention in Staunton
of delegates from the Associations and
Union Prayer meetings in the county be-
tween November and February, reported
favoring such convention but referring
the time and place to standing commit
tee to be appointed.
Mr.. Hoover said he favored Staunton as
the place on account Of it's various cOnve =
niences. Mr.. W. J. Nelson favored Staun-
ton but thought every Association locali-
ty ought to be entitled to the great bene-
fits which undoubtedly would arise to the
favored various localities in rotation. He
looked upon a district convention perhaps
to include Albemarle, as the logical result
of the present convention and this would
be expected to meet at various points.
Rev. A. s. Moffett, Rev. W. E. Baker, R.
s. Andrews and Gen. Lilley favored hold
ing the convention in more than one place
and the report of the committed was adOp-
ted.
'HOW SHALL WE PROMOTE THE WORK
IN THIS SECTION"
was further discussed.
Mr.. D. M. Layton urged organized
prayer meetings outof which Associations
would grow.
Rev. w. E. Baker favored the establish
ment of young mems prayer meetings con-
Quoted by church members, private for a
time until the members acquired facility
in their conduct. Meetings for improve
ment in piety and usefulness would be ex-
cellent. They would be sure to give more
intelligent views about Christianity and
more courage in avowing it. These meet
ings should not be turned into Bible class
es, nor used for the discussion of curious
and novel subjects, but only great subjects
on which there is no difference of opinion.
Persons who had experienced temptations
could, in their meeting, without being
personal, tell others how successfully to
resist them. The members could also
take personal interest in and inquire
Lob no olinrio1 IA IF III hot
was the "usefulness'' part of it. More
attention should be paid to the material Of
Associations than to the machinery or
starting new ones.
Rev. J. I. Miller endorsed Mr.. Bakers
observations. He said we had been hold
ing our hands and thinking the church fur
nished sufficient opportunities. Observa-
ton had convinced him that we are mis-
taken. From personal observation he
could say that there are people in this
county living within three miles of
churches, who don't hear one sermon
year. He cited the village of Needmore as
particularly field where these opportuni-
ties might be proGtably given and also
points Oh Christians Creek. If religious
services could be carried to the doors of
such neighborhoods by such prayer meet
ing as Mr.. Baker had spoken of, great
good would be done. He bad been greatly
impressed with these truths, lately, when
in preaching funeral sermon, within
| sight of the spires of Staunton, he adj
dressed congregation that he felt conf
/ idy15t q n tUQIVQ
months.
| MI. r. P. Andrews, Vice President of
Mt. Meridian Association said, relative to
prayer meetings, that the pastor OF Mt.
l Hnroh iRaxr r Al Rnudl had inform cd :.