The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31
Conference of Christian Associa-
tions in London.
LONDON, August 9Th. 1855

The Ninth Triennial Conference of the
Young Mems Christian Associations of
all lands, convened in Exeter Hall, Lon
don, Saturday, July 30th. About 500
delegates are in attendance, of whom
some 80 are from America, the remainder
being from Great Britain, Belgium, Den
mark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy,
Switzerland, New Zealand, India, and
other countries. The first of these gath
erings was held in Paris in 1855. At
that time the Associations were very
weak, and there were fewer in all the
world than there now are in any one of
a dozen of our states. The present Con-
ference in London represents nearly 81
900 Associations in all lands. The Amer
lean delegation comes from all parts of
the country, from Nova Scotia to Texas.
The Conference is held in Exeter Hall,
the new Association building, in the CEN
tire of London. The whole building is
tastefully decorated with the flags of all
nations and notices, and every provision
has been made for the comfort of the
delegates. The opening meeting was
held on Saturday afternoon, July Goth,
Mr.. George Williams, the founder of our
associations, presiding, and welcoming the
delegates to London. Mr.. j. Herbert
Triton and Mr.. Hugh Matthewson also
spoke. After lunch a season of confer
ence and prayer was held, Mr.. John
Wanamaker presiding, Rev. Theodore L..
Cuyler, D. D., of Brooklyn, and J. Carey
Thomas MD, of Baltimore, speaking,
and the Rev. j. P. Newman, D. D., of
New York, closing with prayer.
On Monday the topic, Office, qualifca-
tons, duties, and responsibilities of Sec
retaries, was opened with paper by Mr..
W. Hind Smith, Secretary of the London
Association.
On Monday evening, at seven o'clock,
the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress
gave reception to the delegates, and a
large number of invited guests, at the
Mansion House. Each delegate was
presented to the distinguished host and
hostess, after which light refreshments
were served in the long parlor.
At eight o'clock the company assem-
bled in the Egyptian Hall The Lord
Mayor entered in State with Mrs. VIM.
E. Dodge, of New York, Ea,l Shaftes-
bury, K.G., with the Lady Mayoress,
other prominent personages following.
The Lord Mayor presided during the
evening, In opening, he said:-In be-
half of the Lady Mayoress and myself,
tender the hearty welcome of the Man
sion House to the delegates from all
parts of the world, representing an
agency which is second to none Of the
present day, in advancing the Redeemer' s
Kingdom. 1t is seldom a man has the
privilege of seeing, during his lifetime,
such growth as the founder of the Young
Mems Christian Associations has been
permitted to see. I rejoice to know that
the organization has progressed with such
unexampled rapidity, that there is not
now single part of the world, where
there is an English speaking population,
in which branch of the association NAV
not be found Mr.. Williams must be a
happy man, and his heart be filled with
thankfulness as he sees these delegates
representing Associations from nearly
every C punt y on the globe.
The Lord Mayor then introduced the
Right Honorable the Earl of Shaftes-
bury, K.G., who said That I have the
honor of being the first speaker in behalf
OF the Convention is due to the fact that
l. am President of the first Young Mems
Christian Association established in the
English speaking world. I esteem it an
honor to speak for this organization, and
IN this honorable presence-and to speak
for the affiliated Associations of the
globe, united for the extension of the
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ | am glad we are permitted to
assemble in the Mansion House-in the
great hall of the great city of London,
and congratulate the Lord Mayor and
the Lady Mayoress that they have sigma
hzed their Mayoralty by gathering in
this place council unequalled in the
history of the world. l hold that this
meeting to-day, representing so many
a1atlonalities, is grand Gcumenical
Council, its proceedings will be of inter
est and its doings will benefit the human
race. He saw in the spread of this work
some ful6lment of the prophecy of
Daniel, Many shall run to an fro and
knowledge shall be increased. He
wished Godspeed to such efforts to bind
the nations one to another, and trusted
that the outcome would be the consum-
nation OF universal peace"
Mr.. Russell Sturgis, Jun, of Boston,
said esteem it no small honor to speak
after one who has on his coronet the
Masters name, and who is as we'll known
wherever the ENGLISH 1anouoc,a ;s ,,,o1....