Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-05

ence and community, IN Dohalf OF the l.
M. G. A. in Stanton, which to a great
extent has net had in the past that en-
enlargement which was due it.
Rev. J. P. Strider followed in highly
great interest in the prosperity of the 7.
M. c. A. in the past, and spoke of its bright
hope for the future. The name you bear
is one for congratulation, and what is in
a name,'' / shall endeavor to show. Is
there any secret power in it which can
inspire Us with hope and confidence? The
powerful name Of Roman liberated Pau
from prison, and by analysis we may find
the underlying power OF the name Y. NJ
G. A. It is an old name and has survived
while many others have arisen only to
fall and become extinct. Why is it that
they have expired? 1t is because there was
not cohesive energy enough underlying
their principles. In the name Young
Men, we find great element Of strength.
Youth is that one being in whom the
hope of home aud country iscentered. and
his glory is his strength. But how
many of them fail and come short
of the ideal. We find that there is
strength and power in the names.
"Young men" and associations, but it
is not enduring and there would be little
hope of success il this was all But there
is another part to which we may turn
the name OF christian" and if it is asked
is there enduring strength in this, let
History answer. He then traced the
growth of the Christian religion from the
earliest period and Shove it's power over
individuals and nations, and the impossl
bility of ever destroying it. Is the name
hated and do we hear from Infidels of its
waning powers and dying energy ? The
power of the name has burst che shackles
of Japan and other countries, and all the
signs of the times point to its increasing
growth and power. So we find there is
peculiar power in your name, Y. n. G. A.
Only live up to is prime pies and there
will be strength and power in your organ
izations as long as there Is power in the
name of Jesus Christ our Savior
At the conclusion of Mr.. Strider's re-
marks, Capt. Il. NJ. McIlhany spoke of
the first Y M. g. Association as growing
Qua of the conversion of single individ-
ual who, calling together his fellow Chris
tians. formed Prayer Meeting, which
has gradually grown, until to day we have
the magnificent Y. M. G. A. organization
of the world, with 100, 900 members in our
own country and the British Provinces.
Handsome buildings costing millions of
dollars, containing elegant Libraries,
Gymnasiums, &c, forming a grand sys-
TEN Of attractiveness to young men, by
which many of them are saved from the
temptations of the world and elevated and
refined. One of the most encouraging
branches of the work is that among the
X. II. men, which has grown wonderfully,
and has now sixty-foar Secretaries, whose
entire time is devoted to the work among
this class, with blessed results. Seventy
five thousand members; 81 Beading
Rooms; the Libraries and furniture cost
ing over $40 900. and the buildings cost
that the great r. r. system of the coun-
try contributes largely to its support, rec
o2njzing 1t as remunerative outlay of
money. A large work has been done in
the colleges, which have l81 Associations
and a membership Of 800, and from
which young men are being directed to
the gospel ministry and to the spread of
Christianity in missionary fields. Lynch
burg, Richmond, Petersburg and almost
every town and city in our State have ac-
tive Associations, which are regarded
with pride aud peculiar interest by those
communities, whose citizens contribute 30
ii orally to their support, and have placed
them on solid basis and made them at
tractive, by which they are enabled to
secure large membership And it is a sig