Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-15
THE Y. NJ. c. a.
Reports from AssociatIonS-Distrjc Work.
The Question of Physical Train
ing-Other Matters.
Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch,

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PORTSMOUTH, Va, February IA. 1890.
The Young Mems Christian Association
Convention opened this morning at $50
o'clock with devotional services lasting
half an hour, and led by George s. Fisher.
State secretary of Kansas In connection
Mr.. Fisher delivered a very interesting adj
dress on Christian duty and devotion.
The president, Captain L. j.. Marks, an
nounced the usual standing committees Of
the convention and called Vice President
.. V. Smith TO the chair.
After singing the Doxology brief written
reports were read from each of the assOcia-
TONS OF the state, giving the work Of the
past year and that going on, and the con-
dlnon OF the respective associations, pro-
perty owned. DC. The reports generally
showed the work in the State i'll vigor-
Gus growing condition. Richmond re-
ported $40 members and 20 conversions
Petersburg reported $50 members and re-
cords destroyed Of work during the year.
stanton made marvellous report Of work
and l25 conversions during the year and q
building and equipment worth $4,000.
Twenty-seyen associations reported. Total
number of conversions, 49s.
DISTRICT WORK.
Mr.. II. NJ. Clarke, State secretary Of
Michigan, then addressed the convention
on the best methods Of district work. and
urged the advantages of district confer
ences in the six districts Of the State. Re-
marks were made in the same connection
by other delegates.
Mr.. ". +. Smith, physical instructor of
Now York city, read paper on the subject
of providing for the physical welfare of the
young men, which was very interesting
discussion of the gymnasium auxiliary
Of the work. Mr.. King and other mem
bers of the convention discussed the topic.
Mr.. j. A. i. Scherer, Of Roanoke College,
led the discussion on THE Study of the
Word of God in Our Association" Various
members spoke in regard TO the proper
methods of study and the classes organ
lied IN localities where the Young Mems
Christian Association work is systematical-
IL conducted.
After singing the convention then ad-
journed with the benedicton.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session ID. J. Weisger
conducted the devotional exercises. w. f.
McCaughley, general secretary of the
Lynchburg Association, conducted tho
discussion con what is being done and
what can be done for the railroad-men Of
the State" The railroads gave $1,000 to
the work last year. and there were seventy
conversions among railr0ad-men. Though
successful at some points. II was clearly
brought ont that the work Is tagging IN
Virginia and needs stimulating and building
up.
The reading of tho statistical reports
from associations was completed. The only
soldiers Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation in the country, located at Fortress
Monroe. reported seyenty-nine members
and three conversions.
Mr.. McIlhaney urged that in every new
town laid off in the State lots be secured
for Young Mems Christian Association
buildings.
After announcements the convention
took q recess.
EVENING SESSION.
II. M. Clarke, of Michigan. led in open
ing the evening session, and D. A. IS.
Scherer. of Roanoke College, was called to
preside.
The report Of tho State Executive Com
mittee was then rendered by Professor W.
w. Smith, president OF handolpl- Macon
College The report states that twelve new
associations were organized and four DIS
continued. Over 500 young men have been
led To Christ. A striking feature OF the
wear was the work at Staunton. Inc en-
largement of the area OF operations IS
greatly due to State-Secretary H. o. VIII
lams, who has given his entire time to the
work. with the assistance OF \. Is. VIII
Hams, of Georgia, and Edward 4. Dadmuh,
raised for State work. In the colleges Of
the State there are 139 students willing and
DESTROYS to enter the missionary field. All
oblipations have been paid III full. SIX
districts have been formed in the state,
called the Norfolk, Richmond, Alexandra,
Staunton, LynchbuTg, and Roanoke dls3
tricts. The railroad work has been carried
ON at six different points. There Is large
unoccupied field for work IN the mining
districts of the State. where the operatives
are nearly all young men. The college
work is encouraging. There are eighteen
associations in the colleges. Six college
conferences were held during the year.
Over one half of the students III the col
leres of Virginia are in the Young Mems
Christian Association. The report recon-
mends an Increase of the general secretaries
Of the State; that 5000 be raised the
coming wear; that building lots be secured
in all new towns to be laid out tnat con-
fSrsnces be held regularly in each district;
that a constitution be adopted.
The annual reports of State-Secretary
II O. Williams, Assistant State-Secretas,ry
r. Il. Dadmun, and Treasurer Z. n. Wallis
Rev. G. A. Miller, of Salem. then de-
livered a deeply interesting address on
college Young Mems Christian hssoclA'
talks on college work then followed ana
the convention adjourned.