Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-07-24
THE MECHANICS ASSOCIATION
THE BENEVOLENT ORG GAN1ZA-
TION OF PETERSBURG
That Is an Honor to the Ceckade CITY,
Its Library. Reading Room and
Museum,
Special Correspondence of the Sentinel.


SDeciaL Corn 1esL Londence Of the Sentinel.
PETERSBURG Va, July PA wri-
ter in the I,,der-Appeolreccntly gavea
very interesting sketch Of the origin OF
the Petersburg Benevolent Mechanics
Association now in the sixtieth year OF
its existence The writer above allud-
ed to, dates the suggestion Of the as
.sociation back to August, 1874, when
Marquis NJ DeLafayette was expect
ed to visit Petersburg: "The Mechan-
les Of Petersburg met together, and
determined to do honor to the lllustrl-
Gus chief by erecting triumphal arch
on one of our main streets. w hlle
consulting together on the manner and
mode of accomplishing their purpose,
information was received that the gen
eral would arrive the next day at one
O'Clock and as it would be impossible
in the short space of time intervening,
to erect such testimonial as would
do credit to the occasion, the meeting
was about to adjourn, when 1t was
proposed to form an association OF me
chanics and manufacturers for clos
er union for mental Improvement, for
the promotion of mechanic arts and
sciences and for benevolence and char
itv." Such is stated as the embryo of
what stands to-day as one of the no
blest institutions of this fair city.
January 4th, 1925, the foundation
stone was laid ON January 10th, the
constitution and bylaws were adopted,
(which are substantially now, what
they were when first adopted, some
amendments and additions have how
ever been added from time to time"
On February End, 1926, the associa-
ton was incorporated by an act Of the
legislature.
Of the twenty-five names given as
founders of the association not one is
left:
"Where heaves the turf in many moulder-
ing heap,
Each in his narrow cell forever laid"
But they have left indellible:
"Footpriuts on the sands of time"
in the noble association of to-day,
with its library of five thousand vol
umcs, its attractive museum; and its
broad charities, aiding the sick, aged
and unfortunate Of their brotherhood.
Through all the chances and changes
of nearly sixty years, in ''the whirl-
wind of war;" and the sunlight of
peace the association has ''kept the
noiseless tenor of its way III unosten-
tatious charity and knowledge dissem-
lninating channels.
Charles Francis Adams says, "Four
fifths of the book education We all
have is derived from miscellaneous or
varied reading. The reading of books
is the poor mans university" The
library of the association offers rich
field for those who wish to CLEAN.
While it is owned and sustained by
the association, and is especially in
tended for its members, and hence is
not strictly a public library, yet the
rooms are open to visitors. Capt.
Wolff. the courteous librarian, with
his knowledge of books and genial
manners makes all vi feel, that
they are not intruders but welcome
guests.
Entering the readiDg-room, with it:
picture decorated walls, tables ant
stands spread with the latest maya
zines and journals, (among which the
SENTINEL is found) readers are daily
seen comfortably lounging in tilte'
chairs enjoying newspaper or book.
Through the readingroom is tn
entrance into the library proper;
spacious, airy, well lighted room, witt
broad windows down to the floor, it
comfortable seats and cozy nook
tempting booklover to linger. Th
neat bookcases are marked, Poetry
Fiction, History and ETC., indicating
the contents of their well filed shelves
Many-of the volumes are on mechan
ism in its varied departments, meetin
the needs of the intelligent member
of the organization. There are ais
works from the best authors of theole
gy, medicine, law, history, biography
poetry and miscellany. "God b
thanked for books" said Charming
~They give to all who will faithful
use them, the society, the spiritua
presence OF the best and greatest {
our race" Like true friends the
always receive US kindly:
"We never speak our deepest feelings,
Our holiest hopes have no revealings
Save in the CLEANS that light the face,
Or fancies that the pen may trace;
Hence it is to books we turn
When with unspoken thoughts we Year,
And gather from the silent page
The Just reproof-the counsel sage,
The consolation kind and true"
The museum attached to the libr
ry, though small, contains collectic
of rare interest. The Old North Sta
is represented here in specimens
her mineral wealth. Capt Wolff, Il
librarian has travelled much in Car
lima, and collected specimens of gol
iron. lead, copper and others from h
soil, which are exhibited here. Sho'
cases filed with eggs, insects, bird
fishes and reptiles from many clin
and waters are fouRd here. Also ra
relics from the dead past. Coins fro
many nations our own America
coin and currency in all its chang
through war and peace. A vase fro
Pompeian palace many eenturi
old; but nothing in the museu
awakens such tide of thought al
pathetic emotion as picture of Ma
Queen of Scots, which was taken fro
life, and is one of the only two nc
extant, the other being at the Louv
in Paris. 1t was taken When T.