The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-16

Z. M. c. A. STATE CONTENTION
The Associations of the Y. M. G. A. mel
in annual session in Petersburg, Va
Thursday morning last the 9th and con
tinued in session, the 9th, 10th, 18th, ano
18th, closing Sunday night with farewell
service conducted by, Fl. 0. Williams State
Sec Of the Y. M. G. A.
d. C. Manson il. of Lynchburg, was
elected President. and Guy Cochran. OF
Staunton, Sec.
There were present representatives from
all the Colleges of the State. from the In
ternational Committee, and from other
States. Georgia" Williams, wellremem'
bered in Staunton, was there and Il. M.
Clarke, now of Washington D. c.. for
saerly of Richmond, Va. was present and
took prominent part. in showing the
advantages of the Workers Training
Glass; in the study of the Bible, and the
adaptability Of the method to the work OF
the ]. M. c. A.
Mr.. e. w. Watkins of N. Y. represent
cd the International Committee.
A general outline of the workfor the en-
suing year was set forth by the Executive
Committee. and topics assigned to the va
rious members of the convention.
Of the Staunton delegation, paper was
read by Mr. Guy Cochran on Day and
week of Prayer Fl. NJ. McIlhaney. spoke
in the interest of the "Watchman,' the
M. C. A. paper published at Chicago.
G.. G. Gooch was member of the Com
nittee, on the Report of the State Execu-
tive Committee H. M. McIlhaney, and T.
G.. Morton, of Staunton were selected as
members of the Executive committee for
the year 49, 80. 2.450 were pledged in the
convention for State work. The report OF
the State committee showed most pros
perons condition of the work during the
past year. Fourteen new associations have
been organized. FIVE additional men have
been employed in local work and seven
teen are now employed as against two IN
1888. -Four general secretaries are en-
ployed. Six new reading rooms opened.
0ae college, one district, and one general
secretaries conference were held. Three
new buildings have been built, costing
$751;, 900. and one purchased at cost of $3.-
700. Nearly $4,000, was raised, to open
reading rooms, for organization and to
employ secretaries. There was an increase
OF: 1 900 liz the membership and many
young men have entered the churches.
Great enthusiasm prevails in all parts OF
Che state, and greater and more extended
usefulness is the outlook for the coming
year.
The college reports we're noticeable fea-
ture. and told of the great work being
done in our colleges grand and noble
york, approved of, and helped on, by all
the Professors in our colleges.
The address of the Rt. Rev. A. M. Ran
dolph. Bishop of the Diocese OF Virginia
was great treat, He took for his sub
feet "The Bible the book for the young
men of the day" He gave the most en-
phatic endorsement of the Y. M. G.. A:
and expressed his earnest sympathy with
its spirit and work, as he understood them
He regarded it as part of, and an agency
for the church-an organization battling
against evil. and having as its object, the
bringing men to Christ. He declared from
his observation, that the 7. N. c. Associa.
lions have been. and will continue to be
in proportion to their fidelity to theil
principles. power for Christ, and bless
ing to all our churches. The address was
listened to with marked attention by q
large audience.
Our delegates have returned filled with
enthusiasm for the work, and the work of
our home association will be pushed with
renewed vigor. Let our citizens, as one
man. come up to their help. The continu-
ed success of this work will prove lasting
blessing to our town.