Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-11
ABOUT THEIR WORK.
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE OF Asso'
CATION SECRETARIES HELD.
Questions Of Importance Generously Dis
eussed and General Experiences Inter-
changed-Ths State Convention.

C00uGe0-In0 St0to Nouvohss~ns
The meeting of the secretaries and
physical directors of the Young Men
Christian Association of the State. pre-
liminary to the opening OF the convention
which convenes here to-day. was held IN
the association building Yesterday after
noon. About twenty secretaries were
present. and the session continued for
several hours. 1t was opened promptly at
$3.50 o'clock with prayer service conduct
ed by Mr.. r. Z. Michaels.
Mr.. II. o. Williams. State secretary, was
elected chairman and j. L. Atlee, Jr., OF
Danville, secretary.
Mr.. w. ID. Voorhees,, of Norfolk. de-
livered thoroughly practical talk on the
subject, "How Far is the General Secre-
tary Responsible for the Success Of the
Association" He said he thought gen-
eral secretary was entirely responsible for
failure or success of an association. DE
compared the position of such an officer
to that of preacher to his congregation.
Mr.. Csndlish asked what should be done
with committeeman who maintained that
their views and plans IN association Work
were night regardless OF the general secre-
tary. Mr.. VOORHEES, said that If nothing
committee they should be dropped. The
question ss to the secretary's RESPONSE
bility for spiritual work created much
| discussion. 1t was the prevailing impress
sion that man could not be successful IN
such work unless he had been blessed with
the powers of bringing persons TO Christ.
| A sECRrrARYs RELATIONS TO CHURCH AFFAIRS.
At 4:90 O'Clock general conversation was
INDUCED in on the question:: The
secretary's Relations TO His Church, sunday
School, and Other Religious Work. Mr.. Paul
said the secretary should attend the church TO
which he belonged at the morning service ana
visit churches OF other denominations at night.
Mr.. Candlish stated that the general secretary
should not ally himself too closely TO any de-
nomine ton, but should visit others than his
own AMI should not take Bible or other classes
In the sunday schools.
Quito discussion followed relative TO attend
ing prayer-meeiings, SC. Mr.. II. o. Williams
stated that general secretary should attend
prayer-meetlngs, &C., but should not neglect
association work in order to do so.
A Bible-reading by Mr. 4. A. Gaines was held
at o'clock. The subject was "Power for Ser
vice. and was well handled by the speaker.
After this, the session adjourned BY singing
hymn, until 1880 o'clock.
The Evening Session.
The evening session was opened with praise
and testimony service by Mr.. j. T. Grubb, OF
Shenandoah. Tho service was very interesting.
Al S:45 O'Clock Mr.. Thomas A. Johnson, OF
Roaroke, read an original essay on " Financial
Difficulties How Best 10 Overcome Them" Nr.
johnson said that the best way 70 overcome
financial difficulties was to take prompt mea-
sures. Much wisdom and discretion we're needed,
he said In tho selection OF men for finance
committee, and the most capable men should be
selected. All moneys should be raised at the
first OF the year.
"My First Work on Entering New Field"
was the conversational subject spoken upon by
Mr.. w. f. McCaughey, Of Lynchbnrg He said
thnughf the Wigeat plan which cDul1 be
adopted upon entering a new field was 10 be
come personally acquainted with every member
Of the board OF directors, To call upon the pas
tors, become acquainted with the active mcm-
bers OF the association, and ascertain what
branches Of work had succeeded and what had
failed. Every precautlon, he said. should DO
taken In proposing new plans Of work, and early
steps should be taken to organize junior de-
partmeDt.
At 9:20 o'clock II. o. Williams the State score
tary, delivered an address on the sunlect: is tho
Secretaryship Broad Enough as Field OF Use
fulness for Lifo Work." Mr.. Williams stated
that many OF the best men engaged In associa-
tion work had given IL up for business, but this
Is no reason why 1t should not be life work.
"There are eleven or twelve million young
men In the United States who are out OF the
Church." asserted the speaker, "and heathen-
dom calling for workers among It's millions OF
young men," lie said that he had tho privilege OF
sitting In q conference where thirteen heathen
countries were represented, and their cries were
next spoke Of temptations TO young men, and
said that the Young Mems Christian Associations
were here 10 stay.
Upon motion Of Mr. Dadmun, the subject for
discussion was laid over until this morning at IL
o'clock.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
Mr.. Horace Z. Smith, physical director OF tho
Young liens Christian Association Of this city.
read an essay on Tho True Conception Of the
roneous conceptions regardng 6 the aim and object
of this dc partment; that some persons look At 10
merely as scheme 70 induce young men 10
Join the Young Mems Christian Association.
They fall, no said, 10 recognize that the physi-
cal department stands on its own merits as
necessity, and it does a beneficial work indeDen-
dent Of the associations. The physical depart
ment Is a means Of recreation and from ply
sicai standpoint Is "health." Activity, grace OF
movement, and courage, Sir. Smith declared,
are qualities which are much coveted by young
men, and by 1udcious use OF tbs facilities OF
tions they may be obtained. He said true ply
steal development was not matter or merely
being able TO perform intricate feats OK agility
or strength, but increasing respiration, govern
ing the nervous system, and so regulating all tho
functions OF the body.
Continuing, Mr. Smith said: "The physical de-
partment In all its workings, aims, and objects
Is entirely secondary 70 tho recognized purpose
and design Of the Young Mems Christian Assoc
ciation-yiz., the eevating of young men physi-
cally, mentally, socially, and spiritually"
ADJOURNED UNTIL TODAY.
After an Invocation by Sir. T. G. Norton, OF
Staunton, the meeting adjourned 70 this morning
al $3.50 o'clock, when the following topics VIII Dc
discussed: 10 A. NJ" How Can tho Secretaries
in Virginia Help One Another - Y. T. Dadmun,
Petersburg. 1890 A. M" Socretarys Care
for Details and Their Value A. u. Paul, Ports
mouth 11:30 A. M.-"Question DRAWER, Iay-
lor Mccoy, Staunton.
AT ~ O'clock there will be a prayer service for
the convention. This will DO conducted by Mr..
George L. Greene, OF Berkley.
Tue CONVENTION.
| The sixteenth annual State Convention will
begin this afternoon. The sessions Will be held
in the Second Baptist church The following
programme has been arranged for this alter
| noon At $3.50 o'clock-Opening service, Psalm
xvii, D, w. II. Greeyer, Roanoke College,
Salem. o'clcck-Organization and lntroduc-
| tions. 5-Conversation, Tho Convention, Its
Objects and How May Delegates and Assoca-
| tlons Be Benefited? ?" l.. A Coulter, state secre-
| tary Of North Carolina. 5:30-Bibls Reading,
| NJ. B. Williams, Atlanta, Ga. 7;45-Song Ser
| vice under the direction Of Professor Horace Il.
Smith. S:l5-Woris Of Welcome, Hon. }. Tay-
| lor Eiyson and MIR. ). w. Trayers, president OF
| the Richmond Association. Response by Hon.
| G.. G. Grattan. Harrisonburg. S:30-Address,
| "The Personal Factor In Association Work. w.
e. Colley, Bridgeport, Conn. 9-Address, The
Claims Of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton Upon the limo and Attention OF Busy
Men," Major Robert stiles, Richmond.
DELEGATES WHO ARRIVED YESTERDAY.
The following delegates TO the convention
arrived in the city yesterday:
j. l.. Atlee, Jr., Danyille; L. A. Hall, PULASKI
W. +. McCaughey, Lynchburg; Z. 4. Dadmun,
Petersburg; Fred. A. Gaines, Portsmouth; Il.
Cousins, Norfolk; C. U. Foster, Norfolk; w. d.
Voorhees,, Norfolk: Alfred b. Paul, Portsmouth !;
J. II. Franklin, Pampin: J. T. Grubb, Shensn-
doah; Charles A. Miller. Luray; j. l. Temple
ton, Staunton; w. l. Radcliffe, Harrlsonburg; /;