Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-11

rael tune Hebron; psalm. 90, Praise
| Yc the Lord II Lyons: &c, &c.
After The ode to Masonry prayer VS.
offered by the chaplain. The ceremonies
| included the spreading o! the cement by
! the Grand Master; the application Of the
| square and level and plumb to the stone
Then followed the spreading OF the
corn and the pouring Of wine and oil upon
the stone all Of which proceedings were
done with that dignity and precision ear.
acterisiic Of the Masonic ritual, and espe
cIally observable in the work OF Jopp
Lodge.
At the Church.
The ceremonies aud other exercises n
the building being over, the audience W.,
invited TO adjourn TO the Second Baptist
church, where an addrcss was 10 be de-
iiyCred by Rev. W. W. Landrum, ID. ID.
The seats on each side Of the middle
aisle Of the church were reserved for The
MasOns and their escort. while the re-.
mander Of the church. body and gallery,
was filed with ladies and gentlemen in.
torested in this grand and noble Christian
work.
PRAYER BY DR. HOGE.
The assomhlage being seated. Mr.. A. II.
Christian. president of the Young Mems
Christian Association, cillcd on Rev. Moses
-. Hogc, II. d., TO lead in prayer. This
reverend gentleman offered UP an eloquent
and ftryent prayer 10 God, laying special
stress upon the good done young men bv
this Association, and earnestly invoking
Gods continued blessing upon the young
men OF our land.
DIR. LANDRUN's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Christian presented Rev. W. W.
Landrum, ID. d., as friend Of the Asso-
citation, who Is ever ready 10 contribute 10
its welfare. DR.. Landrum came forward
and said:
What / have 70 offer NAV not be digni.
fed 10y the name Of Oraiion. The commit
tee did not expect 30 much. so preten-
tlouS an effort will be more becoming at
the dedication services which are TO be held
in January, 1887. The eoquence of the
hour Is that OF the subject and the occasion,
TO which the speaker can scarcely hope TO
add anything more instructive or impress
siye. when | consented, two or three days
ago, TO speak few words this afternoon il
was with the distinct understanding that |
was not TO attempt more than 10 voice
Tie general rejoicing OF the good
people Of Richmond on the inauguration of
this good work and to lay, as 1t were.
bfick Of gratitude and affection on
the cornerstone Of the rising build
ing over the way. Surely it is 10
unimpOrtant event, however, this lay
ing Of the cornerstone OF the Young
MCu's Christian Association, nor unworthy
the imposing ritual and solemn ceremonies
Of the ancient craft who have rendered
such services from lime immemorial. And
now passing from the open air with vIIlt-
cd roof Of Gods first great temple, we re-
tire 10 this Christian sanctuary 10 again in
woke His blessing and TO pray: Let the
beauty Of the Lord our God be upon Us,
and establish Thou the work OF our hands
upon us yea, the work Of our hands estab-
lisb Thou It,"
A brief word of history: The first Young |
Mems Christian Association OF the world |
Is but foty-two years old this June. The |
beginning, like that OF all great Christian |
enterprises, was smal--a handful OF yeung |
men In the room OF an obscure London
clerk. From London the movement spread |
10 Montreal. and from Montreal TO Boston,
and from Boston lin the ecourse OF year or
twoj TO Richmond, until now it has wended |
its way 10 every civilized land on earth. To-
day u Is great worldwide brotherhood
everywhere recognized ~ a potent factor
In the myriad forces OF evangelical religion.
The meeting 10 consider the eXpediency
Of forming Young Mems Christiln AssO-
citation in Richmond was held December Il.
1854. IN the United Presbyterian church. At
a subsequent meeting the organization was
perfected and officers chosen. From the
start the Association Won the confidence,
asteem, and sympathy Of the community |
because its founders and supporters were
among the most honorable, upright, and
conscientious citizens. At the outbreak OF
he war the names OF several hundred MEM
)Crs were on It's rolls. The history OF the
Association dunng the civil struggle, In
which many Of it. supporters psrtici-
lated, was one OF honor and usefulness |
IN the field OF battle or ia pacific |
ervice at home. II fulfilled the delicate
mission Of caring for the sick aud wounded,
nd many "boy in gray" has blessed tue
indy ministraiions OF young men OF this
paternity. The Association suffered Sc
eTely IN the disastrous eyacuti0u fire
lsing its books, papers, records, and
yerything else OF value. Realizing, how.
yer. that The cause II represents Is that OF
B Eternal Kingdom which can never sur
auder. IL soon rtbrganixed and ever since |
as been engaged IN lis work OF benef-
snce.
This day marks the dawn OF a new era. q
n these years the Association has been a | .
ilgrim, ily,ng on wheels, moving from | /
lace TO place with no permanent home. ]
rom the first, however, the Association | !
,cognixed q building as necessary TO the
iccessful prosecution OF It's work. The
,pes OF The friends OF the institution took |
rscfical shape two winters ago, when, at 1 8
J informal meeting presided over By Mr.. 7
oody, fourteen gentlemen subscribed