Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-25


Sth. Thos. T. Blackwell.
lSecretary-G. NJ. Murray.
On taking the chair as permanent chairman,
Mr.. McIlhany briefly and appropriately ex-
pressed his thanks for the honor thus conferred
upon him.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The address of welcome was delivered by
Capt. II, l.. Hoover. It was brief and appro-
pirate, and expressed in terms of warm and
heartfelt welcome. He said it was pleasant
duty to welcome the members from the various
associations to- our city, homes. and hearts.
He recognized them as true and reliable men,
who could be depended upon, and 1t was plea
sure to welcome such as co-workers in good
cause. 1t was pleasure TO touch elbows Win
them in the march, and to experiance the bene-
fit of their support. They met to uphold the
sacred cause of Christ, and for that reason. a.
bove all others, were the members welcome
thrice welcome.
After thus welcoming the members, he called
attention to the fact the State convention had
imposed additional responsibilities and bur-
dens upon the Associations of this county by
transferring the headquarters from Richmond
to Staunton, and said that much was expected
from their vigor and activity, and that they
should not finch from the responsibility thus
imposed, but should labor to vindicate the gen.
erous confidence reposed in them. we nave
done more than any other county in tho State,
but we can yet do much more than we nave
done. and much is expected, and we must not
disappoint that expectation. He hoped that
members would suggest what should be done to
add to the efficiency of our labors
RESPONSE BY REV. A. s. MoFFETT.
The response to the address of welcome was
delivered in excellent style Sy Rev. A. S. Moi
| felt of Churchville
1t was very great pleasure for the members
| of the country associations to meet with the
Staunton Association which was recognized as
| the mother Association. They were glad to as
semble at the knee of the mother, and to be
cheered by her smiles and to be benehtted by
her counsels, and they would rise up and call
her blessed. 1t was pleasure to look into the
1 faces of each other, and to feel the contact OF
hand with hand, pulse with pulse, aud heart
with heart.
Then the hymn-"Blessed be the tie that
binds"-xaG sung. and prayer was offered by
| Rev. ]. E. Booker. .s
REPORTS FROM ASSOCIATIONS.
| Then followed verbal vaports Of the condition
of the various associations.
| iStuunton.-H. M. McIlhany nlaEe q report Of
the Staunton Association showing its fesqark-
.feeted. 1t had a membership of 800, and library
of between fourteen and fifteen hundred vel
| umes-k 500 volumes had been read during the
past year. 1t had extended its influence into
the country, whese FIVE other associations had
been formed with membership of 500, three
hundred of whom were christians. 1t had done
much. but could and should do parch more.
GreenuiUe.-A. G. Christian reported the
Greenville Association as going ahead with the
same zeal that has characterized it from the be-
ginning. The present membership is 50. Last
wear it was S5-lost some by death and removal.
At first applications for membership had to be
solicited. but now they are voluntary. The 50
members they row have may be considered
solid members. EhGy are going ahead with
their work in the Pines, holding Sunday schools
regularly, with !35 scholars. This haay seem O
small number, but it should be rememb fea
that it is in the woods, The superintendent is
hard-laboring MECHANIC. yet he walks two
miles to Greenville, and three miles to the
Pines, and then attends church. He goes every
Sunday. Have preaching every Sunday even
ing In Summer, and prayer-meetipgs in Win
ter Have done good work by erecting q
chapel in the Pines. Devotional meetings are
held regularly in the Association room. Some
of the members ride five or six miles to attend.
He claimed that it was the "brag association
of the eGEnty,
Bctttehem.--G. u. Murray said he was not suf-
ficiently informed to make 2 definite report
They had 90 on the roll. Meetings are held
regularly in the Summer, but suspended in
Winter.
Fishersuiue.-E. M. Brown reported that the
| Fishersville Association was organized about
a year ago with 20 members, about 40 active, and
the remainder associate. Has been of great
| bepeat from the beginning. Have regular
Sunday Gaesttpgsi in the afternoon in the Metho-
! dist church. WI organize Sunday schools and
prayer meetings in tfiae country. 1t is success
and doing good.
| MT. Mcridian-D. NJ. Layton Eex ortsl mem
| bership of 81 lost one by death. Had g SAB
bath school in an upper room of O store at MT.
Vernon, but had to give it up as the room was
\ required for other purposes. The material of
the association is good. and its spiritual condi-
| ton is good. Members have to travel three or
| four miles,
| Ne,o Hope.-fl. G, Barnhart reported IS mem
| bers, most of whom were young men. They
| had dozen talking and wo.kirg men, who
were christians and faithful laborefs, They
were steady and onservative-never any en-
thusiasm except when they expected to be
| visited by brothers from Staunton. and were
disappointed. The members were alive to the
work, and greater proportion Of the member
ship were active memPe1s if the true sense OF
the term than in any other association in the
county. They encountered. as yet. oppqsitl90p
from old members ofthe churches. He spoke
of the good effects of what he denominated a
| snew movement"-opening the doors to ALL
The ladies felt interest in the work and attend
ed the meetings, and they exerted quite aRens-
fetal influence in several respects 1t had a
good effect there and he commended it to the
consideration OF other associations.