The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-01

CHURCH-rRELTM1NARY SERyICES-THE
rREsIDESTs REP0RT = ADDRESSES by
AfEssRs. J. 7. ELLYsoS. W. r. MUNroRp,
DIR. HAWTHORNE. &C. &C..
The Young Mems Christian Association
assembled at the Gnce-Street Presbyterian
church ut 80 O'Clock last night.
The devotional exercises were conducted
by Rev. w. G. Sehaener, who annouhced
the hymns and read appropriate Scriptures.
Rev. j. z. TYLER made the opening prayer.
The President (Dr. J.. William Jones)
then read the following report:
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
In presenting my annual report feel It
due alike 10 the Association and to myself
to say that the reasons which gave twelve
months ago for not desiring TO serve Sc
c0nd term as your president have been more
than verified, and my frequent absences
from the city, and press OF other duties
when here, have very materially intesfered
With proper discharge OF the duties OF The
Office With which you have honored me. But
Isurreuder the trust confded TO melTith The
bfpc thatyotf may be able to secure The SER
vices OF one more competent and better
situated 10 meet the responsibilities OF the
position.
The work OF the Association during the
past year has been In some respects de-
cidedly encouraging.
OUR LIBRARY
has been increased bv the purchase OF 594
books, the reception OF 60 volumes as dona-
bers over 5000 volumes.
Va have alSn added tn our rpodiu
81 magazines, 20 weeklies. aud 10 dailies-
so that we have never offered greater in
ducements TO visitors TO our library. That
these inducements have been highly appre-
ciated is shown by the fact that we have had
during the year %, $50 visitors, to whom we
have issued 1891 books to be taken home
with them, besides the large number OF
books and periodicals which have been read
in the rooms. IL the Association had done
nothing else than TO keep open for the peo-
pie this " circulating library" it would have
strong claim upon our citizens.
LECTURES.
Our course OF fifteen lectures during the
season have proven Of high interest and
utility, and have been generally largely at
tended. The course OF five lectures on
Astronomy delivered by Professor G. III.
Winston attracted especial attention, and
crowded our hall to its utmost capacity.
MEMBERSHIPS.
The 1st OF August last our membership
bad been reduced to 23O, and even that
number was steadily dwindling away, but
agement OF Mr.. w. &. Mayo, who at that
time took charge OF our rooms, the num-
Der has constantly increased, until we now
have on our rolls 713 mem 5ers-probabl
the largest number which the Association
has ever had at any one time.
RELIGIOUS WORK.
The Association observed last fall the
week recommended by the international
tended and exceedingly pleasant meetings.
We also observed the week Of prayer
in January, and kept up the meetings du-
ring the succeeding week. These meetings
were attended by even larger congregations
than we had during the first two weeks OF
the glorious meetings with which for nine
weeks last year we crowded the largest
houses Of worship in Richmond, and they
were OF such growing interest that there
was general desire for their continuance,
but circumstances beyond our control made
il seem necessary to close them the second
week. In all OF these meetings we bad the
active cooperation OF most OF the Protest
ant ministers OF the city, and we here re-
cord our grateful appreciation OF the read
mess with which these brethren have al
ways responded to the calls we have made
upon them.
We have not been able to carry out our
plans for daily Disbursements prayer
meeting or for regular weekday prayer
meetings at the hall.
Our Committee on Religious Exercises
have conducted, with good results, frequent
meetings in the chapel at HOward's Grove,
in the almsbouse, ard in the western
suburbs OF the city.
A"Gospel tent" was purchased last sum-
mer by the self.denying zeal Of Mr.. j. w.
Lockwood for the purpose OF holding SER
vices in destitute portions OF the city, and
some OF these meetings have been greatly
blessed to the salvation Of souls. For some
weeks our tent was pitched in the extreme
eastern section OF the city, and nightly meet
ings were sustained by the members OF
our committee, while several pastors have
reported additions to their churches as the
fruits OF these services.
No more successful aud faithful religious
work has been accomplished in Richmond
than that done by the Penitentiary Sunday
school, in care of Brother William p. Num-
ford, assisted by many Of our devoted
young men as teachers. A detailed ac-
cOunt OF this work and its wonderful re-
suits would thrill the heart OF every bearer.
BY the personal exertions OF Colonel
Munford and the liberality OF few friends
OF the enterprise there has been secured at
the penitentlary large chapel admirably
ADAPTED to the uses OF the earnest workers
in that department Of the Masters Vine
yard.
THE OUTLOOK
OF the Association was in many respects
brighter than ever before. With largely
increased membership, with more general
interest In the Association than we have
had i'm Richmond for years, with subscrip-
tion OF from $4,000 to $4,000 towards Sc
curing US suitable Association building,
with an income sufficient TO meet our cur
rent expenses, add largely to our library,
and pay S25 per month on our old debt, we
had every prospect OF future success be-
yond ANYTHING ever reached in the past,
when on the 18th instant our landlord took
possession OF our hall aud effects to meet
his claim for rent which accumulated IN
previous years. and the present status OF
affairs is that our books, furniture, etc, are
to be sacrificed at auction sale unless we
car Immediately make some arrangement 10
relieve them.
II is due alike to the Directory, the Asso-
citation, and the public that we should make
a plain statement OF
THE CAUSES OF OUR PRESENT EMBARRASSMENT.
For several years the receipts OF the Asso-
citation had been inadequate to meet its ne
cessary expenses, and considerable debt