Morning journal and courier., 1884-01-04
A secretary's Welcome.

The Cordial Way in Which MT. H. c. O.Wil-
 Hans was Welcomed to His Position o1
 Secretary of the Y. M. c. A.
 An informal meeting was held at the rooms of the Young Mems Christian association last evening to welcome the new general secre- tary, Mr. Henry o. Williams. The hall was filled with men eboth young and old, many of the city pastors being present The meet. ing was opened by singing. Rev. Mir. Buck offered prayer.
 Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth was then called upon to make 8 few remarks. He said he was not one of those who believe there is only one way of doing Gods service, but be- Heved that there should be 8 variety of effort and breaking up of monotony and uniform ity. There are great variety of Christian associations trying to do good and the Chris tien public is watching to see if their work bears real fruits If the public find that real honest work is being done they will give their assistance. There should be a spirit of happiness and cheerfulness in the work. Don't be censorious and discontented. The meetings should be in sympathy with all Christian work and then they will be full of power. There are many evils in our midst both open and hidden and the association can do much toward checking them.
 Rev. Mir. Nichols, assistant minister at Trinity church, made some earnest remarks in which he commended the value of Chris tian manhood and also of personality in Chris tian work. He said that he was heartily in sympathy with the Y. NJ. O. A.
 The Rev. Dr. Todd was the next who was called upon for some remarks. He said that he was always glad to welcome anyone who is trying to save the young men. Religious work is necessary first of all. The ministers will do all in their power to further the well fare of the association and the prosecution of it's work. Dr. Todd related several very amusing anecdotes and closed by heartily welcoming the new secretary.
 Rev. Dr. Hawes spoke of the great inn portance of the work of the association. He said he was glad that attractive rooms had been procured He hoped the new secretary had a sound body, level head and warm heart. There is no power in such an asso- citation save as it comes from above.
 MT. E. A. Lawrence, State secretary of the Y. M. 0. A congratulated the New Haven association upon their choice of one to aid them in their work He spoke of the work around the State and said it was prospering Especially fiourishipg and promising assecia- tions exist in Stamford, Bridgeport, Water bury, Ansonia and New Britain. There has been good work done here, but the New Haven association does not stand where it ought. The members feel it and are ready to do all they can to help 1t along. Mr. Lawrence urged the members to be careful how they criticised the secretary, and prophesied that in one year the association would stand where it never has before.
 Professor Northrop was then asked to make the address of welcome. He said he supposed that whom the golden age of -rs1 k~ar 1r,f Young Mems Christian associations, for the churches will do all that work. But that era has not yet arrived. There is Christian unity and union in the associations and they are doing 8 work notoriously neglected by the churches. Without secretary to attend to it's business and forward it's work an asso- citation is about as effective as church with out 8 pastor. The secretary is leader of the young men, who markes out the lines of work to be pursued. and who is able to set an example of the best way of doing 1t. The others must not leave the work to him, but must sustain him by their kind wishes, their prayers, their good will. They must give him also a hearty co-opera- ton. The speaker welcomed MT. Williams to this beautiful city, to the association and it's work, to the kind regard of the pastors to the Inequalities of Christian homes. and to abundant labor in 8 field already whitened for the harvest. He exhorted him to be ear- nest and faithful.
 MT. Williams then responded in few feel ing words in which he thanked Professor Northrop and the pastors for their kind vel. come and spoke earnestly and hopefully of the work that he was undertaking.
 After the doxoloRy the benediction was pronounced Then MT. Williams was intro duced to those present in the parlors below and shook hands with them all. He is only twenty-three years old, but has had consid- erabIe experience in the work, having la-s bored in Auburn, N. r., and PlRinhsld, N. J., where he held positions similar to the one he has just taken up here.