The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-12
HHLF 4 URP Old.
The Young Mems Christian Association
Celebrates the Flftieth Anniversary.


A large number Of young men attended
the meeting at the association building on
Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock which had
been set aside for proper observance Of
the fiftieth anniversary OF the organlza-
ton Of the first association by Mr.. George
Williams. in London. The members OF
the Boat Club and Of the several com
mittees MT in the parlor shortly before
that hour and marched from there into
the big hall. The members Of the two boys
chOirs gathered in the directors room
and followed the older members. one
q these choirs took up seats on the
platform. while the others occupied the
front rows IN the auditorium.
The following members OF the board Of
directors and Of the State Executive
Committee held seats on the platform:
President 5. w. Travers and Messrs ".
J. Whitehurst, John Il. West, John A.
Lancaster, Joseph W. Blanton, G. W.
Tanner. George u. Sydnor, Joseph b.
Montgomery, j. Taylor ElysOn, and X.
NJ. Smith. The ministers Of this city
were represented by Rev j. Calvin ste
wart, Rev. W. J. Young. d. D., and Rev.
w. w Landrum. -. D.
Mr. Travers presided over the meet
ing, and Secretary George +. 1ibbitts
played the accompaniment on the organ
and Mr.. Shepherd Webb on the piano.
The services were opened with the sing
Ing Of the hymn stand up, Stand up, Tor
Jesus" and after a fervent prayer offered
!
sang a solo. The boys choir on the
platform next sang the hymn, II am
Waiting for the Master and Rev. j.
Calvin Stewart offered another prayer:
Ida Robinson and Mr.. +. y. Cloves Mr..
Travers introduced Mr. Jo-eph y. Mont
gOmery, who made few remarks on the
work Of the international Committee.
lie said he was under the impression
that the importance OF the work OF
that body was misunderstood, for Rich
mOnd had failed last year 10 DO her duty
towards il. The little town of Lynchburg
then contributed 800 to the work of that
committee. while Richmond only gave
so or s25. In 1866 this committee had
spent 81 900 in this country and since then
its work had increased very Eapldiy, so
that last year thousands upon thousands
had been expended for the advancement
of the cause In this country.
The committee carried out fOrty-seven
distinct objects, and It was looked TO for
assistance and guidance from all diTec-
tons. IT one time the committee had
its headquarters IN this city, and Rich
mond should feel a so much greater in
terest in Il, as through that body the
most valuable services Of General Score
tary Tibbtts had been secured for the
association. The committee acted as "A
clearing hOuse to the various associa-
lions in this country, and every business
man fully understood the important posi-
ton Of that institution.
Mr.. Montgomery closed his remarks
by stating that IL was desired to raise
the sum OF SlOO for the International Com
mittee. and a collection was then taken
up. which had some very good results
although the total amount asked for
was not raised.
Miss Ida Robinson next sang a solo, ana
the audience then sang the hymn, Con
whereupon Rev. DR.. W. w. Landrum
was introduced by the president as the
orator Of the day he delivered very
interesting address. selecting as his text.
Victories Of fifty years.
DIR. Iandrum called attention to the
fact that this jubilee was being celebrated
I'm every civilized country of the world,
and dwelt at some length on the promi-
hence which IT had been given in Lon
don. the metropolis Of the world. There
one meeting during the celebration had
been held in the Westminster Abbey.
that symphony in marble, another in st.
Paul's cathedral. with seating capacity
for 2O,O0O people, and third one at
Prince Albert Hall, where choir Of
a thousand voices took part III the sing
The speaker next described how Mr..
George Williams, then an emplcye in
dry goods house of London, gathered
number Of his friends IN his bedroom
ON June G. 1874, and organized the first
Young Mems Christian Association, with
the idea OF enrolling in il the eighty young
men u the establishment lie vas con
nected with, and Of forming simlar orgam-
ZAtlOHS IN % lltI bA94lltoa 44DNs'iN' W ~
the first ten years Of Us existence the
association spread over into America, ana
since then II had found hold IN every
civilized country Of the globe. IheFe
was no other organization 10 be fJunt
which claimed so largely the sympathy
Of all. for II was Don-sectanan, ana
might Justly be called practical Chrlsti9n-
ity. lis ornate SIDE was represented ~
the Eplsc Jpalians, its theolog ca SD
by the Presbyterians. lis orderly side
IfItHoTgng
Meth0dists. it's passive side by the Qaak-
ers. and its literal side by the Baptists
and Disciples.
Or. Landrum next spoke in detail Of
the objects OF the association and the
where. He spoke Of Its importance among
railroad men and college students, and
alluded to the fact that IL had been
established In over four hundred instl-
tutions Of learning in this country. one
OF its results was the organization of
the volunteer movement among the stu
dents by which young men had banded
themselves together 20 prepare themselves
for the missionary work among the
heather.
How much the people Of Richmond
thought Of the association had recently
been evidenced. when in about a week
the sum Of over $4,000 had been raised
TO pay off the Indebtedness Of the or
After the singing Of the hymn, "Blest
he the Tie" the assemblage was dis
missed with the benediction Of Rev. DIR.
Landrum.