Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-06
PLEASANT CELEBRATION
OF n Second Anniversary Of the foun
Mems Christian Association.

Mems Christian Association.
The Y. NJ. C. A. celebrated the second
anniversary of its organization IN this
city, at the First Presbyterian church, last
night. The large ediiice was well filled,
over 1000 persons being present, and the
exercises were very enjoyable.
Printed programmes were distributed
among the congregation and no efforts
were spared in making the celebration a
most successful one. The exercises were
begun by a fine organ voluntary by MIR. j.
Nelson Vance, who is q member OF the AS
ISOLATION. The congregation then joined
in singing the good old hymn "All hail
the power of Jesus name" after which
the Rev. K. +. Randolph, ID. D., read aPor.
ton of the Sd chapter ofPhillippians, and
after an earnest prayer by Rev. j. I. Nc
Clure, ID. D., and q hymn by the Associa-
ton glee club, Mr.. W. 4. Wilson read the
annual report of the Association.
Below are given some extracts from 1t
which show the progress which the AssO-
citation has made since its organization.
"Our membership now numbers l95,
being an increase of 100 over last year. In
our reading rooms will be found 65 papers
and magazines, selected from the best pub
locations of the country. Our
library contains 3o volumes
of good practical knowledge. We have
held 30 meetings during the year, with
an attendance of 10, 430, an average to each
meeting of AZ. Expenses for the year
s., Cos. As. Unpaid bills last anniversary
S446. 80. Actual cost OF the years
work 81, 163.09, unpaid bills
1856. sc, but we have enough
promised on subscriptions to pay this in-
debtedness."
The many sOciables, lectures, etc.
which have been held under the auspices
of the Association during the past year and
which are known II pleasantly remem-
bered by many of our citizens
were mentioned in the report together
with much other interesting matter which
want ofspace cOmpelS us TO omit. At the
conclusion of the report the congregation
Joined in singing the iayOrite hymn, oh,
for a Thousand Tongues to Sing"' and
Mr.. II. Kirk Porter, of Pitts
burg, delivered m interesting
and powerful address, in which
he confined himself more particularly to
the power for good possessed by the AssO-
citation. He spoke of the mission gifts menu
bers and the other Christians who were
working with them, in forming char
acter and restraining from evil. AT
ter speaking of the necessity for
prompt and energetic action in the work
of awakening our interest in religion IN
| Wheeling, he called the congregations at
tention TO the progress which had been
made in this direction. He concluded by
q description Of the methods
used in. reaching all classes of persons
and by %recounting the advantages
which were enjoyed by the association
for this purpose.
After the singing of another hymn, Col.
| Robert White addressed the congregation
in an eloquent amer. He began by
referring to the fact in nature that every
law has its punishment for a violation
of it and that this punishment is newt
able. He said that we were surrounded
by laws on every side which are constant
ly being violated and that it was the pur
pose of the association to lessen this rs
much rs possible by providing innocent
pleasures to oppose the temp
tations which beset young men
He referred to the declaration that ''tht
men constitute the State" and then
showed that the future welfare
of the county depended on thu
moral and religious charactel
and training of the young meu
He illustrated the result of evil compan
ionship by an interesting anecdOte anC
after speaking of the necessity Of right
living and a firm religious belief he CLOSED
with an earnest appeal TO
the assistance Of the association
another hymn was then sung, and after 1
few remarks by Mr.. Wilson, a collection
was taken up for the benefi
of the association, Mr.. Vance fur
nishing some excellent instrumental
music while the basket was being passed
The meeting then closed with the singing
of the doxOlOgy and a benedictiOn by Rev
VIM. A. Cooke, ID. ID.
The Association is doing good work ant
deserves the hearty cooperation ofall wh
are interested in the spread Of the gospel