Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-02-06

Anniversary \ Entertainment.

u. CA.
Anniversary Entertainment.
The tenth anniversary of the Young
Mems Christian association of this city
was celebrated last evening by giving an
entertainment at the court house. The
court room was well filled and the pro-
ccedings were of an interesting character.
The programme was q follows:
SinginS-All Hail the Power of Jesus name.
BY the Congregation.
Reading Scriptures. Rev. J. b. shulnaker.
Prayer, ...Rcy. ID. A. l.. Llverty.
Music. .................. by the Mozart Quartet.
Annual report of the President, MIR. d.
G. Haverstick, as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members and Friends
of the Young Mems Christian Association :
We have met this evening for the pur
pose of celebrating the tenth anniversary
of the founding of this most worthy organ
ization, and, as has been the custom here
tofOre, the president offers his annual re-
port of the workings of the institution for
the past year. In doing So we have en-
deavored to be as brief and concise as pos
sible, and you need not fear having your
patience taxed by listening to a lengthy and
detailed array of dry facts and figures.
In looking over the labors OF the year
that is past and gone forever. We feel. that
under the guidance of Divine Providence.
the friends OF the association have much
to encourage them III their efforts to
establish and maintain this noble institu-
ton. 1t is true We have not 50 favorable
4 financial report as that OF last year yet,
taken Us whole. our standing financially
and otherwise is in improved condition as
compared with that of one year ago. The
falling off in the receipts of the past year,
in comparison with those of 1878. is owing
to the fact that during that year we had
just taken possession of our new building
Oh South Queen street, and We made
special efforts to raise money in the way
Of entertainments and excursions, and by
callin, on the public for subscriptions.
This was not done during the past year,
with the exception of few excursions
hence the falling of in the item OF re-
ceipts.
There were, however. some changes
made during the year for the further ac-
cOmmOdatiOn of the public. We allude,
first, to the employment of an assistant to
the general secretary, whereby the rooms
are kept open continuously from 8 o'clock
a. m. to 10 p. M. This change also af-
forded the general secretary an oppOrtu-
nifty to take more active part in the out
door work of the association, and in this
particular there has been marked i'm
prOvement as compared with that of the
previous year.
Through the efforts of our general sec
retary, and the kindness of our profession
al men, a course of free lectures and med
ical talks has been successfully established,
and from which class for the study of
astronomy was organized, and which has
met with extraordinary success. The pop
ularity of this class is largely due to the
efficiency and energy of its originator,
Prof. J. P. McCaskey, a member of the
board of managers. Meetings for social
have also been held at stated
during the fall and winter. About
a month ago a debating club was organ
lied, which meets once every week, with
fair prospect of success.
The following statistics are gathered
from the general secretary's report
There were 30,194 visits made to the
reading rooms during the year, while the
number of books drawn from the library
in the same time was 12, 1856.
trust the audience will excuse me if
turn my thoughts from the report for a few
ton suggested by the contemplation of |
these figures. Persons have told us upon
more than one occasion that they could not |
see what good we were doing, or of what
benefit this institution was to the city of |
Lancaster. Now, can any fair-minded per.
son look at the foregoing figures and say
that this association does not supply very
want and merit the warmest
and support of our citizens?
Can any one question for mo-
nent that these twelve thousand
'eaders were not benefited by the
line spent in the rooms or in the read
ng of these books, especially when we
the fact that they (Our young
nen, particularly are surrounded on
very hand by influences tending to draw
hem away from that which is pure and
rood? 1t will not do to say that our young
nen and boys do not need a guiding hand,
uch Us this association offers, in providing
or them pleasant and comfortable rooms
n which they may spend their leisure
lours, with free access to large collection
# we'll selected literature. But for the
'enetit OF those who think they do
Ot need anything OF this kind. |
will quote from recent writer
n the subject of prevailing vices and
rimes. He says: cat no time in the his
Dry of civilization has there been such
prevalence of crimes as at present and we
nay we'll tremble for our country and re-
ublican institutions when VIC remember
hat God is just. 1t is not alone in the long
st of rObberics, murders and sins of
imilar character, which in their influence
or evil are comparatively venial Otfenses
ut in high places aud respectable CD So
iety throughout the world there exists a
agrant disregard of all the rules of de-
cncy and honesty. Men betray the most
acred trusts reposed in them and
ublic opinion has become so benumbed
nd demoralized as in many cases to treat
he offenders only as unfortunates and
ot as criminals"
Now, the question may be asked, what
an be done to check this prevailing ten
lency? We answer, by educating the ris-
NC generation in the moral and religious
uties of life. Strive to keep them from
he deus of gilded vice abounding OH every
land. Encourage them to spend their
you cannot keep them at homc)