Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-04-16

Oh Burlington Hts just ClOScu tlOlHtI veal
of successful and gratifying work, and the
celebration of its twentieth anniversary is
an occasion of more than usual congratu-
lation for the present and hopes for the
future. We present to our readers to-day
complete reports of the work of the Asso
citation during the past year, including the
reports of the Association officers read at
the annual meeting Sunday night, and re-
ports of the standing committees for the
year,
The Presidents Address.
We have met tonight to observe the
twentieth anniversary of the Young Mems
Christian association of Burlington, an
anniversary that closes two decades OF ac-
tive effort of the Christian young men of
this place to lead their fellows to higher
planes of thought, purpose and belief.
The changes that have taken place in our
city in this time are great its growth in
numbers, in beauty, and III wealth are
themes that are on every tongue. Its
honorable reputation in the business
would, its high rank as amoral and la"
abiding community, ont towards all good
objects are matters of pride to every citi-
zen. And the belief of the members of
the Young Mems Christian association
that their organization has had no small
part in promoting these characteristic fea-
lures of our community Is one that gives
them much pleasure as they revie. =, the
past. In looking hack to the first year
of this association, and taking note of the
young men active in its first work it is a
pleasure to find some of them still with
us, still in action and in spirit young men,
eager in the work of leading young men
to that truer, higher life that only comes
through believing in our Lord Jesus
Christ. Others have gone IL many parts of
our land showing forth by word and deed
the truth as it has been revealed to them
from Gods holy word. Others have been
called to a realization of the faith and
hope which was the inspiration
of all their Christian life Their
memory and that of later workers
who have joined them on the eternal
shore, is held dear and fragrant in the
hearts of all that knew them. havenot
the time or the knowledge requisite to
sketch for you the work done in all these
20 years. These have been years of bless
ing and years of waitings time when many
came up to the help of the Lord, and times
when workers We're few, but iii all the
time the aim has been the same, the hope
and the desire that through its instrument
tallty the object OF its being might be real
lied, to elevate the moral, religious and
intellectual character of the young men
of Burlington. With the new feature of
the work done in the last four years dur
ing which time we have had the services
OF a paid secretary, you are familiar So
now 1t is only necessary to review the last
year, and to set forth what are the plans
and desires for the future
The work carried ON has been threefold
IN us character. LIST, religious; I'd, So
clal 3D. educational.
The first place with us, as with all true
Christian effort, is given to the religious
department of our work, the social and
the educational being made tributary to
this
ha va, hoe, hoo,
effort for young men than ever before,
and 1t Is with pleasure that we can see
that our efforts have been owned and
blessed by our Divine Master.
Early IN the year it was thought
held on sunday afternoon as zen gen
eral gospel service to one for young men
only 1t was done with some feeling of
uncertainty, as the number of young men
that had formerly taken part in this meet
ing was small, but the outcome has, be-
lleve, proved the wisdom of the change
larger number of young men now at
tend this meeting than ever before,
and by the active part they take in the
service show the growth which they are
making in Christian life. Our experience
IN tins, as IN fact i'll all our work, shows
the truth of the principle laid down by
the leaders of the association movement
ment III this country i. e., that the prop
er sphere, and the one in which success
young men, for young men, by young
men,"
The fact of human nature which we
need to make use of is that man like most
other animals, naturally goes in fiocks
and those of like tastes md aspirations
will associate together. SO if we once
bring within our influence and make ac-
1--WE workers in our ranks goodly num-
Der OF young men others will be attracted
to them, and the growth of the associa-
tlOn VIII be sure because natural and
gressive.
This principle needs, | believe, to be
more emphasized in the future than it has
in the past | think more of the Younger
element in our active membership should
be brought into the official work of the as
ISOLATION and thus be trained to taking up
the active Christian duties which such re-
lation would require.
Of our Bible class, training class and
young mems prayer meeting you will
have report in full from the secretary
While these have not been as large as we
might desire still good work has been
done, and recommend the continuance of
earnest effort along these lines.
The association suffered serious loss
through inability of Mr.. NJ. n Hutchin-
son to continue the work of the training
class. He showed great ability and en-
thusasm in the work, and we would eX-
tend to him our most sincere sympathy in
the serious afiiction that has come upon
him, with the earnest hope that he NAV
again be restored to health.
l would also speak of the services OF
Rev. Mr. Sewall of Milton during the
week Of prayer for young men. The meet
ings during that week were interesting and
effective of much good, and would recon
mend the continuance of some such plan
for the future in the special work for that
week.
Not all the religious work done by the
association is noted when we speak OF
the various meetings and classes. The in
fuence of member upon member, of the
association upon the community is but the
sowing OF seed the increase Of which vii
never be known until that great day wher
all things shall be revealed. We know
that much has been done in the way OF
personal influence and appeal, and we car
not doubt but what with Gods BLESSING
much good has been done. Then the re
ligious work Of the association has beer
so closely allied to that of the churche,