The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-06-17


Central Tennessee College, Nash
vile; Fisk University, Nashville.
The two latter are colored instItu-
tions.
We held one state convention at
Chattanooga on November last.
A numerous delegation was present
and much good was accomplished.
This will be repeated this year at
Murfreesboro in the early fall
Recently, the state commute en-
ployed and sent an experienced Wis
itor who visited all our associa-
tions, and did much in organizing
and fostering them. And the calls
for help are coming in from all di-
rections. The Nashville associa-
ton may be called the parent,
and is probably doing more to day
than any other. Those of us who
have seen its rise and aided its pro-
gress, are amazed at the results.
Five years ago we began without a
dollar; no rooms and but few
friends. At the close of the pres
ent fiscal year, We fad over $4,000
has been received and expended
in the work for one year. We have
free library and reading room,
with $500 volumes, and an addi-
ton of ~ different class periodicals.
Our missionary committee alone
conducted 240 religious meetings in
the Jail, city and county work
houses, hospital and Women's Mis-
sion Home with happy results.
We have any number of meet
ings, such as Yoke fellows, Train
ing Glasses, Daily Prayer Meetings,
Union S. S. Teachers Meetings,
Workers Conservation Meetings,
Services of Song, Young Mems Bi
BILE Glasses, Young Mems Saturday
night Meetings, and others. We
employ a General Secretary at ST.
200 per annum, who devotes his en-
tire time to the work. l have tax
en- this in detail in order to encour-
age your association. l know that
it is often said this will all do very
well for large cities, but in small
towns there is nothing TO do. OF
course, ] do not know your exact
surroundings, but l will make
some suggestions, or indicate some
! lines of work that may be OF benefit
to you. 1t is scarcely possible to
meet all the questions that will be
raised; objections and difficulties /;
many of them triYal (and all easily
removed by those fully conversant
with our work will be raised by
timid or inexperienced friends of
such a movement, or by those in
decided opposition TO it, The hear
ty cooperation of all should be Sc
cured, if possible, but the refusal
of some to say "God-speed," or
even their decided opposition should
not deter you from your purpose,
when you have decided that there
is an unreaped field where your
sickle can be well employed.
Ali evangelical denominations
should be represented. A denomi-
national or sectarian character
should be studiously avoided
Hold fast to the cardinal doctrines
of an evangelical christianity, for il
these is found the only basis Of
unity in your aggressive efforts
Young men should be selected fol
various offices, who will command
the confidence of the community, Of
vital piety and warm hearts, who
will cheerfully perform the labori-
Gus duties incident to their posi-
ton. Nothing merely for show
should be tolerated. Beware of all
political intrigues and chicanery.
The utmost care should be taken tO
have your association under the eX-
elusive control of ready christian
men. Now, a few suggestions as to
management:
Avoid debt. Contract no oblii-
cations on definite promises. The
reason of the failure of many asso
Citations can be written in few
words: Debts contracted.about the
time of organization. Make haste
slowly, if you would succeed.
Secure a reading room and libra
ry, if possible, and it may be found
expedIent to allow free use of all
books and papers. Seek as much
as possible to carry on all the ordi-
nary means of populsr culture in
your town. Let your rooms be the
headquarters of all benevolent
movements. Organize a debating
society and conduct it on a liberal
basis. Let it be a school where
young men are taught the truth; be
careful to avoid all wranglings upon
political or denominational ques-
tions. Form a weekly singing
class. If possible organize a free
class for instructions in special
departments most useful to young
men; have free familiar lectures in
your rooms; ask prominent bust
ness and professional men to speak
upon their specIalties. The Bible
class is of great Importance. Find
your best man for teacher; he may
not be the most learned man in
your town, but he should be man
who has q warm heart and who
loves young men He must under
stand their ways; he must be cor
dial and frank, and yelling up in
his heart should be found those
feelings which led the Savior, as He
looked on a young man to love
him.
A chief agency is the association
prayer meetings. There you should
make your best effort. 1t should
be a union meeting 10 the fullest
sense; let all feel free to speak OIL
pray; no reading of long chapters
no long prayers and no tedious ex
hortauons.
Your great work is TO save the
souls of young men. The member;
must employ their individual eff
forts. There may be those who
who wish for work not called for n
your immediate line; this is likely
to occur in small towns, where the
, Young men are few. Give 70 a.
, such mission.schools, neighborhooC
: prayer meetings and lay preach
ing. Let every member have some
thing to do, let it be uhderstooC
r that you mean an active campaign
t and have no place for idlers. Nc
] pains therefore should be spared u
hara n