Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-01-22

DEDICATION OF THE BUILDING.


more to be done to make 1t answer all the
great purposes for which it is designed.
The audience hall was soon filled to over.
flow ing on the evening Of the 10th instant. the
time chosen for the dedication of the building
The President, Capt. II. M. McIlhany, and
the General Secretary, Mr.. e. T. Dadmun
with floor committee. were early in place
The President and Secretary received the
guests of the Association. who were to take
part in the proceedings. in the parlor, and es-
corted them to the stand. They were Mr.
Walter G. Douglas, of Philadelphia, represent
ing the International Committee; Mr.. III. D.
Williams, Virginia State Secretary, of Rich
mond: Revs. Drs. Halves and Rodgers, and
Revs Hullihen and Shealey, of this city.
The exercises were opened by. the assem-
blage rising and singing the L. M. Doxology,
Professor Webb of the Virginia Female In
stitute, at the piano, with prayer by Rev. Mr..
Shealey. pastor of the Lutheran Church.
WORDS OF WELCOME.
Next came the address of welcome by the
President, Captain HcIlhany, who has so
constantly and so earnestly labored for the
success which was then crowning the work OF
the Staunton Association. that 1t is no under
estimate of all other individual and CO opera
| tive efforts, to say that to him. in special
manner, the achievement owes its complete.
ness.
| He first explained the absence of Assistant
| Bishop Randolph, of the Virginia Diocese and
Rev. Dr. McBry6e of Lexington. of the Episco-
| pal Church; of W. W. Smith, PresidentSof
Randolph Macon College, Chairman of the
State Committee; and of Rev. DIR. Mcfarland
| most of whom were detained at nome by In
disnosition. DIR. Nelson was absent from the
city.
The welcome by the President was chaste,
earnest, and interesting. He gave an account
of the founding of the Association in 1874. and
the kindly support given 1t, especially by
Major B. T. Bagby in furnishing it a home on
Augusta street as long it was desired, and
who continued to the present one of its chief
supporters. He referred also to the liberal
gifts and to the united aid of the community
in its behalf. Later in the proceedings he
embraced a special opportunity to speak of
the work and the aid of the Ladies' Auxiliary
Association and their achievements. All the
| furnishing, the elegant seats upon which his
hearers were then sitting, and the equipment
| of every department were the gift of the
Christian working women of Staunton, OF
whom none were more constant, more hope
full and more willing. and none more success
full in accomplishing their objects. # there
were any in this broad land superior to the
christian aiding women of Staunton in this
broad country, he would like to know them
and would feel called upon to make Them a
special visit.
| Business men had cut down their home and
personal expenses to aid in the erection OF
this building. It was occasion when all
| could be thanked, and all now and through
life be welcomed within its portals.
The grounds and building cost 900. There
| was debt of 600 for the ground and St. 0OO
on the building; but as the work of the Asso-
citation, it might be said, had just commenced,
in time they could pay it off. The rentals
would pay the interest. He concluded with
an earnest and heartfelt welcome to all, and
introduced Mr.. Walter G. Douglas OF Phila-
| delphia, the representative of the Inter
national Committee, who, he said. was a
native of Jefferson county, and a Virginian
| who loved and honored his native home and
our people.
STRENGTH AND WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION.
| The audience expected to hear an interesting
| discourse from Mr.. Douglas. There was no
disappointment-on the contrary, there never
were more deeply interesting thoughts ex-
| pressed in more beautiful style than fell from
his lips during the short while he occupied the
| stand He gave description of his old home
and in our Virginia Valley as he would trace
his steps to the ancient family seat in Jeffer-
| son county, and coupled with these thoughts
| were equally felicitous remarks of Staunton
and the work she was accomplishing, and OF
| the material progress in Virginia, and all
which was worthy of a people with whom
Stuart and Sheffey and Baldwin were reared
and lived.
| Equally excellent in sentiment and in
| pathetic utterances were the practical strength
and work of the Association described, as real
| and act imaginary instances were cited. One
memorable case was cited showing the In
f1uences 1t exerted in the great railroad strike
which occurred about three years ago at East
i st. Louis, when it was more powerful In ac>
| complaining peace and good order than armed
| soldiery. To follow him through the fields of
| conquest as the army of three hundred thou
| sand in the land wearing the hodge Of tiao
Young Mems Christian Association were
moving to save the young and carry
peace and comfort and happiI ess to thousands
! of homes, would fail to do him justice. To be
| properly appreciated he must be heard. Com.
| plete stiffness reigned as he hurriedly talked
| to that deeply impressed and attentive
audience. No reference is made to the imfor-
nation he gave of the christian work in Ger
many, and the Influences it was exercising in
| the Royal household. in sthe army. and
| through business avenues. AS he concluded,
the President saw the fitting occasion to
please the audience as he returned their
thanks to Mr.. Douglas ior his address,
..,,o4rop o,rp w.xu
|
Toe touching piece OF music Known by the
ABOVE Title charmed Inc auolence as II was
sun. as SOLO by the cultured voice OF Mr.. J.
j. Sh1rkey OF thls city, accompanied by the
piano at Which professor webb presided.
/ TIE STATE SECRETARY.
Mr. Fl q Williams is not a strapoer i, this
cjtv He like Mr.. Douolass was In tho nro-
oramme and also able IN fill the annointment
T. vss easv tn obserye bo1 sinoorolr ,ba