The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-29
a. / EN-
THE v. M. c. "A. CONVENTION
Mr.. johnson Reads an interest
ing Letter.
ROANOKE TIMES BUREAU,
BILLIARD e. PERsINGER BLDG,

~ DIII.ARp & PERSINGER BLDG,
SALEM, VA, Nov. 2S.
The sixth conference of the Young
Mems Christian Associations OF the
sixth district of Virginia opened its ses-
sion last night by charming address
on "Personal Work" by Rev. DIR. A,ree.
This morning the conference renewed
Its deliberations in the Presbyterian
chapel and after some interesting facts
and figures regarding the Sixth district
by Mr.. III. G. Williams, the State secre-
tary, Mr.. Thomas A. Johnson, secretary
of the Roanoke Y. NJ. G. A. and chair
man of tho Sixth district committee,
made q short, but comprehensive talk
upon the topic why the Association
Died"
In this he was not referring to any
special association, but to any which
were languishing, likening them to SICK
men suffering from different maladles.
He illustrated the evils as follows:
ssPoint out to us the place where can
be found ten young men who, with the
burden of the souls OF young men rest
ing upon their hearts, determine to or
ganize a Y. Nj. C. A. to develop that
desire and systematic their efforts;
and where can be found q few business
men who will say, we will see to it
that your work does not suffer for ma
terial aid, then we will show you an
association that will live as long as
such state of affairs exist. Booms in
beginning association work are danger
GUS to say the least.
"Because they fail to heed the injunc-
ton from Gods word, Owe no man
anything What fatal disease do we
find in this.
because the secretary in the asso-
citation, when we find secretary who
is 80 very wise as to know everything
about the work, who can do the work OF
the board, the committees, the treasurer
and most of the members, or, rather
one, who thinks he can, then the life of
that association is in great jeopardy.
because the secretary shuts himself
up alone and does not reach out.
because the secretary is lazy. Some
secretaries are born lazy, some acquire
laziness and some have laziness thrust
all over them. The man who enters
secretarial life under the impression
that he will have plenty of time for
reading and having good time gener-
ally will soon find that he must change
his policy or witness the fall and decay
of the association which he pretends to
serve.
because born of the flesh, not of the
spirit, an association should be organ
lied in town where it is needed, and
not simply because some other town has
one.
sBecause they do not reach for all
classes of young men. An effort ought
to be made not only to reach the very
best of our young men, but those in less
fortunate circumstances, and those who
have been dragged down to the very
depths of sin and misery.
"Because smothered with too much
machinery.
':Because every department is not
sanctified with prayer. We might fiji
up the most luxurious rooms, the best
appointed baths, the largest number Of
papers and periodicals, the most thor
oughly equipped gymnasium and ath'
1etic grounds, arra1 &c the most thorough
educational classes, employ tho best
featuring talent of the couatry, hold
the most brilliant receptions, have
yet the great end and aim of our work
will prove complete failure unless all
these means are sanctified by prayer"
The foregoing is but synopsis of
Mr.. Johnson admirable address, which
was we'll delivered, and brought forth
from the State secretary the commenda-
tion that it was one of the best and
most comprehensive to which he had
ever listened, and he trusted it would
be printed in the organ of the Y. M.
C. A.
In the afternoon, the State secretary
and his assistant, Mr.. Chas. Il. Towson,
OF Salem, and McIlhaney, Of Stanton.
discussed at length the methods which
can be employed to strengthen the asso
citation in this Sixth district, which,
embracing as it does, many of the new
towns along the Norfolk and Western
and Chesapeake and Ohio railroads.
A most enjoyable supper was served
the menbers of the conference by tho
Ladies' Auxiliary at the Belmont
Hotel, after which tho night session in
tls pss.nnrch was continued with prayer,
singing, and interesting discoL.-As ILL
late hour