Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-11-27
Closing of the Week of Psayer-TYOung
Mems Christian Association.

Closing of the week of Psayer-IYOung
Mems Christian Association.
| On Sunday night, long before the deep-toned
reverberations of the last bell had trembled in
to silence, the spacious auditorium of the First
Presbyterian Church was filled to its fullest
seating capacity. the aisles filled with chairs,
and still the vestlbule filled with a crowd who
vainly sought admission. During the incom-
| ing OF the large concourse, Prof. Hamer presid-
ed at the new organ. a vast instrument. entire
ly filing the newly-added alcove or reredos in
rear OF the pulpit, and filling the house with
| its volume of rich harmony. AS the last notes
| of the organ died away, the Secretary. Mr.. E.
T. Dadmun, invited to the pulpit stand, on
which were already seated the Revs. DR.. NC
Farland, Nelson, Halves and Hullihen, Messrs
| T. G. Morton, E. NJ. McIlhany and III. d. Peck.
| and requested DIR. Nelson to open the exercises
with prayer. At the conclusion the hymn
| "Hallelujah for the Cross was impressively
| rendered by choir of trained voices from the
| Association. Mr.. Dadmun then presented Capt
| 7. G. Morton as the first speaker, who, being
| the first vice. President of the organization at
its birth Is years ago, could speak of Its early
struggles and its triumphs
| Capt. Morton then proceeded to relate the his
tory of the body; how, Is years ago. it struggled
with a nucleus of a few young me1, and at the
| Sunday evening meetings many boys in
Knickerbockers. who were now its leading
| members and energetic leaders. and themselves
| Tor some of them) the fathers of families. Hin
dered by the want of means; with no perma-
nent lodging place. but moving here and there
as the exigencies of their condition necessita-
ted: pressed and embarrassed often for the ac-
tuaI fuel and lights required, he had personal
Iv wit ofaf1, rbao wi
growth under the divine blessing and power.to
its present state of prosperity and wide-reach-
ing influence. Comparing its present with its
origin and early life there could be no overes-
timatipg the career of usefulness and power for
good yet open before it, and under the contin-
uing smiles of merciful Providence. the
heights to which it will yet attain. The choir
then sang gathering in the Sheayes," the con
gregation Joining in with fervor. Mr.. Dadmun
then introduced Mr.. II. McIlhany as the next
speaker, who, as the presiding officer at the
present time, and largely qualified to speak of
it's present condition, would be heard with
interest.
Mr.McIlhany confined himself appropriately
to the later work OF the Association and its re.
cent triumph in the completion of its new
building or home on the corner OF Main and
Water Streets. He commenced with feelings
of profound gratitude to the great Oliver of all
good. that through the support given him by
his fellows of all denominations, ne had been
enabled to go on with this heavy task until he
was ready to announce that spacious ele
CANT and imposing home was awaiting the
coming generations of our young christian
workers. That often at night. oppressed with
the sense of responsibility. and knowing the
heaviness of the outlay. and the difficulties
that beset his pathway, he would toss Sleep
lessly, until remembering how that God knew
no to morrow, but taught us to let each day
provide for ITSELF and feeling that He would
bless his endeavors, he would compose himself
to rest, and truly had he received the support
and aid be had relied on. But short time ago
a stranger seemed to be intently regarding the
new edifice, when he approached him and
showed him through the structure. At the
conclusion he said, well, sir, am connected
with one of the largest commercial houses in
the North west, and have travelled through the |
entire country from Canada to the Gulf, and
visited every town of importance in that area. |
have from my home associations lively in |
terest in this work and the progress of the Y.
NJ. C. A., and make it point to visit their
headquarters in every town l reach. and
tell you that you have here the most impos-
appointed edifice have found anywhere. 1t is
credit and honor TO city of any size"
Every day his heart was lightened and en-
couraged by the spontaneous expressions of
delight and satisfaction from all sides. chris
tian and on-professing alike. Some who had
objections to offer, at certain Innovations. as
they regarded them have, on reflection. waived
them entirely and heartily endorse:the entire
plan. Capt. McIlhany spoke earnestly and
1uently as man is apt to do whose heart,
mind, and energy are absorbed like his has
been in this important work. At the close of
his remarks. of which we have only given
brief synopsis, the choir sang "God Waiting
Yet" the congregation following the choir of
the Association. Mr. Dtdmuu then brought
forward Mr.. H. D. PECK, who, he said.
would give the audience his impressi ons
of the work of this organization through
out the world That his remarks were Of very
interesting char acter was obvious from the at
tention of those nearest the rostrum, but the
voice of the speaker was entirely inaudable in
the middle of the house, and this insufficiency
added to by general chorus of coughing, elic-
tied, it appeared from sudden lowering of
the upper sashes of the windows, deprived the
reporter of every sentence of the address,.
Mr.. Dadmun then spoke Of the important re-
organizations all over the country, and how
much indebted we and others were to it for
counsel and direction, and concluding by a
reference to the important mission work now
going on under the auspices of the \. N, q. A.,
requested that a collection be taken up with a
view to at least contribution of $780, At
this impressive juncture. very lively interest |
seemed to be developed by small number in |
the outside atmosphere. and some energetic |
efforts to get there were manifest, but Secreta |
ry Dadmun was equal to managing restless |
minority under even this stimulus, ami en- |
phatic request to keep seated until the conclu- |
sion of the service, was followed by an abso- |
Lutte quiet.
After the hymn, "Blest be tie that binds" |
sung with energy by the whole congregation, |
and an impressive benediction by Rev. W. @. |
Hullihen the large concourse slowly dispersed. |
Personal.