The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-01-02
FORMALLY DEDICATED.
The New Y, M, c, A. Building
Opened in a Notable Manner
CROWDS OF PEOPLE ATTEND,

The Cheerful Place Universally ADJ
mlrCl..-How The Visitors were En-
tertained.-.PresIIept yauoe's
Address,. Other Exercises.
The fourth anniversary Of the organi-
zation Of the Young Mems Christian
Association of this city, which, with the
dedication Of lta handsome new build.
ing at the corner OF Market and Twen-
tieth streets, took place yesterday alter.
noon and last evening In connection
with the usual New Years Day reCep-
ton, was n most notable and
delightful event From 3 O'Clock
In the afternoon, a full hour before
the time announced for tho reception to
begin, till after 10 o'clock last night,
there were hundreds OF ladies and gem
tlemOn visited and admired the comfort.
able aud finely appointed home, that hHs
been secured to the Association here,
There arc some who estimate that not
less than two thousand visited tho
building.
The greatest rush occurred about 7
o'clock. The crowd ut thattime BECAME
SO dense that for a time 1t was inpossi-
BILE to handle 1t for want OF room; there
was u regular crush all over the building
till nearly So'CloUk, when the withdrawal
OF those not intending to remain for the
anniversary and dedicatory exercises
made II possible for the others to move
about,
The true spirit and purpose OF the
Young Mems Christian Associations Of
the world is to make no distinction be-
tween social classes, but 10 work Tor the
good Of all mankind and that OF the
young men In particular, no matter
what may be their condition or what
position they may hold. The crowd
that filled the Y, NJ. @. A, building for
over seven hours last evening was one
well in keeping with this purpose. II
was composed Of representatives from
nearly every known respectable class Of
the city. Prominent manufacturers and
merchants, many OF Them not at all promi-
nently identified with church or rGligi.
Gus work, were present with
their wives and families; me.
chaniCs, clerks, young mon about
town, workers in the shops and mills,
all were present and mingled together
| in Il democratic manner that was truly
refreshing, II did no one any harm
and was inOstauspiciOus omen for the
extended work that the Association will
aim to do, now that It's facilities and op.
portunities have been so materially and
munillCGntly increased.
now GUESTS WE'RE RECEIVED AND ENTER
TALKED,
As stated ut the outset OF this report,
the people began to arrive an hour be.
| fore the time set, but they found every
thing prepared to receive them. Score
tary Lynch established himself ut the
intersection OF the two lower corridors
aud assisted by a committee Of the
Association, gave cordial welcome
and warm hand.grasp to all. Other
members escorted tho callers through
the building, pointing out Its many com.
forts and ConvenienCes, all OF which
were greatly admired, The rooms on the
lower floor with their handsome furni'
ture, pretty lace curtains and other ele-
giant furnishings were especially admired
and the gymnasium was point OF IN
terest constantly, Mr.. Lynch was made
the subject Of countless congratulations
on the good fortune that has befallen the
Association, and Architect L. w. Wells,
the designer OF the building, who was
among those present, was also warmly
congratulated for the very excellent work
he did In meeting the wants OF the Asso.
citation. He was certainly deserving oil
this, for the:building is one that reflects
great credit on his well known ability.
A large and active committee Of young
ladies served in the dining room and
from three large and bounteously Ia
dened tables, dispensed cake, coffee and
lemonade. This part Of the entertain.
ment was by no means tho least enjoy
able.
The anniversary exercises took place
in the large lecture hall, commencing
at s o'clock and were listened 10 by over
400 people. Mayors orchestra, which
had rendered a choice programme during
the four hours reception previously
held, opened the exercises with
an overture. "Ohl for a thousand
tongues to sing, etc" was then sung by the
audience. Rev. G. W. Grimes, oil the
Thomson NJ. L. church, read the scrip.
lures and Rev. 4. II. DornblaseT, OF the
English Lutheran church, offered an ap.
propriate prayer. The Associations
double quartette sang n selection and
this was followed by the annual report
OF President j. N. Vance.
Addresses werethen made by the Rev.
@. W. Gushing, d. d., Of the Fourth
street church, Rev. G. 9. Hayes, OF
Bridgeport tho Hon. @. D. Hubbard
and the Rev. DR.. D. A, Cunningham, Of
tho First Presbyterian church. All OF
these addresses were very interesting
and belitting the occasion, "Stand up,
stand up for Jesus" and "Nlove Forward"
were sung by the audience and the ex.
ercises brought to close.
PRESIDENT yASCE's ADDRESS.
The address delivered by President
Vance was as follows:
It would be impossible TO give in the
limits OF a report an adequate idea OF the
good work for young men being carried
on throughout tho world by the organi.
cation known as the Young Mems Chris,
tian Association.
There are 1,240 Of these organizations
in the United States and Canada. with
an aggregate membership Of 200,0 900, and
owning property amounting to over
seven and aIuarler million dollars. In
addition to these societies on this cont.
nent, there are 1854 assOCiationsin other
lands, which are in the main carrying
on tho same limo Of work which prevails
In this country.
Tho history OF our own Association
covers a period Of four years OF useful
and reasonably successful effort In build.
ing up Christian character among young
men. It's influence has always been on
tho side Of religion and sound morality,
although II has not done all that 1t might
have done for tho glory Of God and the
good OF man. That the Association hnS
earned tho right to DO classified among
our most useful Institutions, no one aC'
uuaintOd with It's work will deny, and II
Is very gratifying to know that II has the
respect and confidence Of the Commu.
nifty and a hopeful outlook for tho iu.
ture.