Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-05-01
State Convention Of the Young Mems
Christian Associations.

ing in the First Baptist church OF
Lynchburg-W. H. Wren, president OF
the Lynchburg Association, presiding
w. H. Ridgway, of Richmond. acting
as temporary secretary. The address Of
welcome was delivered by Rev. William
E. Edwards. pastor of the Court street
Methodist Episcopal church, and re-
sponses were made by number OF
prominent members, including 81. M.
McIlhany, chairman of the State Exec
utive Committee; E. w. Watkins, Of
New York, secretary of the Interna-
tional Committee; and Colonel w. P.
Munford, of Richmond.
The Convention adjourned to Friday
morning.
SECOND DAY-FRIDAY.
The Convention met again on Friday
morning, when permanent organiza-
ton was effected by the election of the
following of1cers:-
PresidentO B. Morgan. Petersburg.
Vice Ps'esident-W. FL. Wren, Lynch.
burg.
End Wee President-Wm. J. Nelson,
Staunton.
,Secretary-Robert T. Pitts, AIexan-
dria
Assistant Secretary George Andrews,
Charlottesville.
The standing committees were as fol.
lows:-
Committee on Business G. A. Lick
lider. of Petersburg; M. B. Clark, of
Richmond w. 81. Wren, of Lynch
| l.. DA1 -
and NJ. G. Thomas, of Roanoke.
Committee on Associations: s. B.
Woods of Charlottesville; III. M. Nell
the Virginia Military Institute
Committee on Resolutions: II. NJ. IL
hany, OF Staunton Charles K Willis,
of Richmond; and NJ. G.. Thomas, of
Roanoke
Among the resolutions presented and
adopted at the morning session was
one constituting the pastor of all the
churches in the city advisory members,
and all Association workers honorary
members Of the Convention, with the
privilege of participating in the discus
sions, and another resolution thanking
the retiring president, r. M. McIlhany,
Of Stanton. foT his efficiency and the
uniform courtesy displayed by him in
the administration of his office.
On motion of s. B. Woods, of Char
lottesville, committee of five was ap-
pointed to frame and report to the Con-
veltion constitution for the State AS
sGciation.
A great deal of amusement was occa
stoned by motion of w. NJ Cowling,
of Richmond, to constitute the most
amiable OF the Richmond representa-
tives committee of one on the adjust
ment of the quarrels of the refractory
delegates, whose pickering, he feared
might disturb the harmony of the pro
eeedings, and when the Chair appoint
ed the amiable brother who moved the
resolution there was general laughter
at the expense of Mr.. Cowling.
Reports of an exceedingly favorable
character ere presented from the Rich
mond and Petersburg and associations
of other places.
THE AFTERNOON AND NIGHT SESSION
was consumed in thu discussion of in
teresting topics, the debates being par
tieipated in by T. A, Harding and G..
Washington, members of the Interna-
tioHal Association J. B Watkins and
NJ. B. Clark, of Richmond; G. A. Lick
liGer. of Petersburg, and others The
principal feature of the night session
was the discussion of the topic OF the re-
lation Of the Church to the Association
by Rev. W. T. Hall, D D., of the First
Presbyterian church, Lynchburg, and
Rev. r P. Kerr, of Petersburg Both
add reases were admirable and highly
entertaining.
The Convention adjourned to reas-
semble at 10 o'clock Saturday morning.
THIRD DAY-SATURDAY,
4 fter thp singing OF :All Hail the
E.ower Of Jesus's Name" and prayer
the Convention took up the topic =
''TRpE AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION, ITS
HELr AND HINDERANCES.n
Addresses upon this topic were made
by Ii. M Clark, of Richmond, end E
w Watkins, of New York, Secretary
Of the National Association.
The next topic taken up was
THE STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES
Mr.. r 4. Harding, OF Washington,
said: Unless we are fully conversant
with the Scriptures, we cannot teach,
and we are not ready for the work. The
first proceeding of an Association should
be thorough study of Gods Word
the external, and internal, evidences of
the truth of the Bible; and 10 teach,
the Instructor must have the Word of
God in his heart.
Mr.. II. NJ Clark, of Richmond, also
made come very instructive suggestions
in regard TO the study of the Bible in
Associations.
Col VIM P. Muhford, of Richmond,
speaking in regard to Bible Glasses,
said: We must be as practical in our
pray eTsmeettngs as We gre in business.
The gentlema6's remarks were atten-
lively listened to, and in conclusion
much amusement was created by an ac-
countof q Bible class composed of young
ladies under his charge
They We're all onverted'-and he
"would also state they were al mar
ried.n he aiso spoke OF another Bible
class composed of young men.
The topic Of
estate WORK"
came up next in order, and Mr.. II. M,
McIlhany, Chairman of the Executive
Committee, read the report of his COM
mittee, which was received and adopted.
Mr.. McIlhany, OF Stanton, speaker
upon this subject, is Chairman Of the
State Executive Com mittee, and, of
course, knew more about the orgsniza-
ton in the State shan any member
present. He stated that in the last
twelve months there had been rapid
growth, hut that it was confined prin-
cipally to towns and cities. That or
ganizations started in the country were
of short duration, and very hard to
maintain He thought that the Asso-
citation would be greatly benefited by
the appointment of State Secretary,
to attend to the work exclusively. That
at first it might be impossible to employ
his entire time, but that he might be
engaged for portion of the time at
least. Iu the course of his remarks the
speaker said that the Association was
not UNCONVENTIONAL; that all churches
were represented in the body; that. the
Association had nothing to do with any
sectarian doctrine, but taught religion
and nothing but religion; that many