The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-20
THROUGH THE STATE.
TIE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
second Days Proceedings OF the State Con-
'ention Young Mems Christian Associa-
fReported for the Dispatch. |

."""t AssOftu
ton.
Reported for the Dispatch.l
CHARLOTTESVILLE, April Is, 1884.
Inc convention met ut $3.50 O'Clock. an
was opened with devotional exercises.
Mr.. Clarke reported for the CommItte
on Permanent Organization, and recon
mended the following as officers of thl
eighthannual Convention viz. +: President
Joseph Bryan, Of Richmond; First Vice
PRESIDENT, l.. l.. Marks, OF Petersburg
second Vice-President, 5. Il. Woods, o
charlottesville; Third Yice-President.. j
l.. Lee; Secretary, Professor Miller, o
Luray; Assistant Secretary, A. NJ. Harri
son, Of Stanton.
| The report was adopted, and the presi
dent being escorted to the chair delivered
q brief address.
The first topic taken up by the Conven.
ton was "Bible Study" IL was discuss.
ed in conversational manner. Mr.. Shell.
ton, OF Baltimore, was the principal
speaker, and answered q number Of inter.
rogatories on the especial subject. This
was followed by general interchange of
views on "What Secular Agencies can
the Association Legitimately Employ ?"
Mr.. Cummins, Of Lynchburg, opened this
discussion in a preliminary address, and
was followed by quite a number OF dele
gates upon the particular point Of "games :"
being introduced into the Association.
There was quite a diversity OF opinion,
some deemlng games essential to the adj
vancement OF the work as the means OF
bringing men under good influences !;
others, speaking from experience as op-
posed to theory. took opposite views, whilst
others still argued that games could be
wisely and most advantageously used, the
line being drawn between games of skill
and games of chance. The predominating
sentiment, however, seemed to be that
games were admissible within the bounds
OF Christian propriety, and that those who
decline was local question for each aSso-
citation to decide according TO circum-
stances and its own surroundings.
All resident and visiting clergymen are
entitled to seats and to participate in the
deliberations OF this Convention.
The afternoon session opened at 1920
o'clock. The question Of "Assocation
Finances " was then taken up, Mr.. BRYAN,
OF Richmond, making the opening address
and replying to questions propounded.
Others spoke briefly. Mr.. Heiferman. OF
gave an account OF the LA
dies Auxiliary" and the work they had
in his city, and was followed
by several other delegates, showing the in
iluence and assistance rendered by the
ladies in advancing the interest OF the As
socation.
The third topic for discussion" What
is the Young Mems Christian
Association 10 Community ?"-was then
considered. Captain Marks spoke to this
question.
Pending this question the hour for adj
iOurnment arrived and the body adjourned
10 meet at $50 p. NJ.
More delegates arrived This evening, and
here are perhaps fifty present. The Con-
yention is an intelligent body, and their
are conducted in an orderly
ana courteous manner.
Night Session.
Convention met at $50. The president |
ook the chair, and announced the topic OF |
he evening to be 1.-THE Railroad Work"
Mr.. Watkins, of New York, secretary of |
he International Association, led of in |
he discussion, giving a clear and compre- |
lensive account Of the origin OF this fea- |
me Of the Associations work. He told |
lOw a railroad man OF Cleveland had con-
'eived plan Of helping his class through |
he agency of the Young Mems Christian |
Association. Now, he said, there were |
more than sixty points where this interest |
S actively prosecuted by persons set apart |
or this special duty. He gave many in
eresting statistics OF the work.
Mr.. Dickie, OF Richmond the only rail- |
I'M a "a Gpnfb fnllourah with |
description of his work on the Chesa-
Ieake and Ohio and Richmond and Dan
lille roads, and exhibited a zeal in the |
work and condition OF affairs in his field |
hat promised much.
Mr.. Sheldon, the Baltimore secretary,
vas next introduced, and made very IN
eresting address. He showed what al
most insurmountable difficulties had TO be
overcome in the approaches to the work
mong railrOad-men. His relation Of some
II the incidents connected with the con-
rersiOn Of some OF the cases affected the
audience TO tears, while ut times they
we're conVuised with laughter. From his
taudpOint OF experience he gave his
-oung brethren good advice as TO the
manner of procedure in this work, aud
bowed how important it was that the men
lpon whom so many lives daily depended
hould be made faithful to the trusts CON-
nitted to them.
Mr.. Bryan, delegate from the Richmond
nd Danville, and Mr. Bradley, from
he Chesapeake and Ohio branches, also
made remarks in this connection.
The President Of the Convention made
he closing address. He intelligently and
learly showed, from the standpoint OF the
abroad officers, that this object, aside from
he religious and moral view OF it, Was as
isted by the companies from pure self-in-
crest. They had found that steady. Chris
ian men had proved to be the best work.
zen. Their balance-sheets told them the
Inference. His address was very forcIble,
nd was well received.
The order of the day for Saturday was
nn0unced.
The Convention adjourned to 9:45 A. ii.
aturday, with prayer by Mr.. Tappy.