The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-23
THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.
A JOYOUS EVENT IN THE HISTORY
OF THE Y. M. c. A.
A Program OF Delightful Music, Song
and Brilliant Addresses the Order OF
the Evening--A Most Excellent Show
For Last Year.

The spacious auditorium OF the First
Presbyterian church, at Third and Poplar
streets, was crowded to its fullest capacity
last night with ladies and gentlemen, upon
whose happy and beaming faces could be
seen that they had gathered to celebrate a
joyous event. The occasion was worthy
the audience. 1t was the fifth anniversary
of the Young Mems Christian association
in this city, and the presence Of its hosts
Of friends attested the strong hold 1t has
taken upon the community. Around the
altar and in the windows were pots of rare
and fragrant flowers, magnolias, jessamines
and orange blossoms. The hour OF
o'clock was when the exercises were
to commence, but IL was fully forty min
utes past that time before the corners had
filed the seats, and the great organ pealed
forth the introduction. The program was
a well-selected one and admirably carried
out, 10 the delight and interest OF all.
The first selection, ''While Thee Seek"
was effectively rendered by the choir. At
the conclusion OF this, the audience sang
"All Hail the Power Of Jesus Name"
which was followed by the Rev. DIR. Dan
lei, pastor OF the church, DR. Budford,
| who had been selected, not being presently
reading the third chapter OF the book OF
| Proverbs, down TO the twenty-seventh
verse. DIR. Daniel Is a distinct and i'm
pressive reader, and the admonitory lines
seem TO DO listened 10 with intense interest
| by tho young men to whom they were 80
specially directed
When DIR. Daniels concluded the Rev.
Dr. Boggs offered up a brief but fervent
invocation, and then Capt. Jas. Lee, who
acted rs master OF ceremonies, announced
that the quartette, Messrs. Knowlton,
Hunter, Griffith and Ryan, would sing
that familiar, but at all times inspiring
hymn, "Ncarer, my God, 10 Thee" The
reputation Of the young men rs vooalists
has long since been established, but II
possible they added 10 Il last night by the
excellent rendition they gave OF the sacred
verses.
The first address of the evening was by
the Rev. X. w. Erwin, pastor OF the
Central Methodist church, on "The rela-
tons existing between the church and the
association" lie spoke quite earnestly
for nearly an hour, and among other
things said:
"The relationship between the church
and the association was that
tho church was principle, and
the association incidental TO II
in the great work OF Outstanding
the world. Those two words embraced
the entire connection between the two,
for in fact, the church OF itself was well
equipped for the conversion Of sinners,
training them TO lead proper life and
giving them solace in their troubles and
sorrows The church was chief, and
therefore the Y. NJ. G. A. would not and
could not exist without the church. un-
less II auogated 10 itself the functions OF
n church. But the idea was happy and
a grand one. The Y. NJ. q. A. did not
propose TO be church, but the adjunct OF
all the churches. On one occasion he
had heard, and he did not doubt its pro-
priety, an executive officer OF the National
y. NJ. Q. A. state that il was not etiquette
TO ask young man when he entered Y.
NJ. &. A. hall, what church or denomina-
ton he belonged 90. The association Is OF
the church, and they do good work for
II, and tina. II was the duty Of the church
TO encourage and aid IL all In its power.
"The special work Of the association was
TO gather In and form one grand fraternity,
brotherhood Of Christian, devout and
earnest young men. II had It's province
like the great Bible society, tho ecumen-
zeal council and the evangelical alliance
Its duty is 10 ever be on the alert 10
shield young boys from temptation, 10
give them the advantages OF pure and en-
nobling influences, 10 divert and educate
their minds from all communicating indul-
gcnccs OF sin and passion. This was the
education that the association should give
the youths Of the land. The State partially
cducates boys, but at the same time Il
licenses saloons, gambling dcns and all
manner OF vice Is carried on, and then the
State has 10 hire policemen 20 watch and
arrest the yonth u has educated. II the
citizens Of this city would erect building
ut cost Of $4,000 for tho Young
Mems Christian association TO carry
on It's Outstanding work In, 4
would be the most profitable in.
vcstment they ever put that much
money into. Some people wondered why
10 many girls were being employed 10 an
clerkships and other positions that men
used 10 occupy. II was because our men
and boys arc becoming 30 no account
Women are sober as wen as industrious,
and they can be depended upon, and they
are fast supplanting young men in the
best business positions 10 DO had" The
learned minister said great many other
things that were listened TO with marked
attention.
Next upon the program was a vocal solo
by Miss Jennie Camp, young lady whose
charming voice delights all who hear her
She was especially effective last night.
Following the beautiful solo came the
gratifying rport Of the committee on
mcmbcrship, which showed that since
April 20, 1889 thoro had been $50 mem-
beu received. The present membership
IL 421, Of which 225 had paid their dues
up 10 May I, 1883, and members received
for tho present year, las, M against l II for
last year. Mr.. I. ii. Rico submitted this
report
The financial report Of the treasurer,
Geo. s. Fox, showed receipts for the pres.
ent year Of s3,5l5.03, and disbursements
OF 81, i53 NJ, leaving n balance Of s6l. "a, as
against $3.50 last year.
Association work from business stand
point" was the subject Of the brief but
most practical address OF Mr.. fraysor r.
EdmOnson. lie said that his heart was
thoroughly imbucd with the great and
good work the Y. NJ. q. A. was doing. II
was practical and necessary organization
10 the well being OF the city divided a. Il
was into two branches, the one religious,
the other business, Il was capable Of doing
n double work, such m the church could
not and should not DO expected 10
perform. One special feature about
the organization should bo distinctly
II a. - 4.