The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-18
ENCOURAGING REPORTS.
now THE WORK rs CARRIED ON AT
THE ASS0CIA TON BUILDING.
Geperai Seer stnry Geo. 4. Ti3bitts Explains
Done In tho Various Departments.

AT a meeting OF the Board OF Directors
Of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, held on Tuesday evening In the
board-room OF the building, Mr.. George +.
Tibbitts, the general secretary. presented
"a detailed report as to the work done
by the organization. The Board was
highly pleased with the statements com
piled In the most thorough and complete
manner and ordered the report 70 be
printed for future reference. The latter
Is couched I'm plain and simple language,
but IL speaks volumes for the perseVer-
ant and efficient work done by Mr.. Tib-
bits In "a quiet and unostentauous man
ner. constantly looking out for the best
interests OF the young men of this city.
In this report Mr. Tibbitts says:
AZ this, our first meeting, of the Board
since the beginning OF our fall campaign.
] am sure you will be pleased 10 listen to
the progress and conditions of each de-
partment, and will bear with me for a
short time as try TO give few glimpses
OF our daily duties and the interesting
features iof the Association. We all.
without doubt. feel the great RESPONSE
bility that has been placed upon us. not
only by the people Of this city, but by
Him, who has set this great organiza-
ton In motion throughout the world ana
has intrusted this part Of His vineyard
20 our care and is the one most interest
ed and anxious that the young men VINO
enter our doors. may indeed be Ieu
Through the Gates Of Heaven.
When / attenpt 10 complete report
like this. | always feel utterly lost IoI
words or power TO portray the meaning
OF the Association or the work beng
done. | do not speak of that which IS
accomplished especially by human d6Su-
Giles, but we who are connected WIN WIN n .,I9
Christian organization, feel the eNtt-'V'I
straining and elcvatng influence going on
in our midst. caused by the Holy spirit
and the open Bible. . iii
sndeavors TO tell us OF their results OF
dollars paid out. the gooI d3he 10 Ht"i ~
q soul, but If ] only had the aplnIY ~
throw on the canvas, so that We could see
with the visible eye the results. impress
sons confidential talks with Young men,
the fathers and mothers as they come
anXiously and eagerly inqulring now ther
sons can be reached. interested ana saw
ed We would probably become yet more
closely Identified with this work ana I'M
derstand the true meaning OF the \ ounS
Mems Christian Association ana us nm
portant place in every city. We DO not
stop often enough To think OF the MANY
cases. the little things we may can mem
which are truly the great things OF our
work. for like the Master. we ever try
10 be friends to the friendleSS' ready 10
welcome the strangers. cheer the dIScour-
aged TO pray with the sick, and to com
fort those who are burdcned, no matter
what their nationality or religion may Pc
continually watching for the opportunity
of pointing the inquirer 10 the IIituu
above all friends, the one VINO can heID
and save to the uttermost we cannot
appreciate the continual ana widening III
than can we grasp ray OF light ana
tell Of its USE beauty, and power
GIyI, ~ ILLUS IA iCN.
To Illustrate the meaning of these
words | viii relate a little incident that
happened within the past week. similar
10 those which are happening continually
in our work TWO young men came TO the
association one night and were shown
through the buildlng by one of our as
sistants hidawecome and asked TO call
Nntigiuu they were about 10
40 out that they were strangers and
probably needed little counsel | made
haste to stop them and also to speak
KIND word. bidding them TO feel at home
and look upon us as friends and helpers,
81 they needed such assistance.
| learned that one was from Washing
ton. sixteen years Old and the other from
philadelphia, married. and theatrical
performer. The younger one seemed 10
appreciate every word that was spoken,
but the older appeared 10 be somewhat
afraid to trust us with the secrets or in
formation as to his past life. | was
convinced at once that they were not at
all suited to each other the younger pro-
badly being runaway and tool for the
older fellow. | at once wrote to friends
I'm Washington to follow mp the address
the younger one gave me. to see if his
parents could be found, and inform them
as to his whereabouts, also asking their
wishes for the future.
| received n letter from his mother
stating that she was almost brOkcn-hCart-
ed over his departure and that she had
not had one hours rest until she heard
from me. learning of his safety ana that
he had fallen into the hands of Christian
people. ON Sunday the younger Of the
two decided in our sunday afternoon
meeting TO live a Christian life and on
Monday came asking what he should do
with his companion. as ne had fully de-
cided not to stay with him longer as his
influence was entirely i'm the wrong de
rection. They subsequently separated.
the younger one finding employment and
the older one made fun confession of
all his past life and asked our prayers,
seeming thoroughly i'm earnest as to his
intention TO lead a Christian life, to leave
the stage and 10 return TO his home in
Philadelphia.
A pass was secured for him from the
Clyde Line and we have every reason
10 believe that both have bcen benefited
by coming in contact with the assoca-
ton. and as one of them said "the way
had been very dark and the trials very
severe, yet he believed II to be the hand
of God that led him into this building,
where he was pointed in the right way
and to life everlasting.
would not have mentioned this case.
If our president who visited me last ev-
ening for a little while, had not desired
10 know at that time something about
the young man in the office with such an
attractive face and who happened TO be
the Washington boy.
THE KtLroI) DEphRTMrNT.
Now let me speak briefly of our relig-
ious department first for while we are
interested IN the eduCatlOnai ana gNmnd-
stun department and know they are
good I'm their places. yet this is our foun-
dalton rock on which we build. On Sun
day, November 4th, we had a conSecra-
ton meeting at o'clock in the morning,
which was attended by over sixty Of
our young men, taking part In testimony
and prayer The subject was search me-
- God. and know my heart
II WAS a surprise TO us all to see so
many out that morning. and IL speaks
louder than words as to the religious spir-
st of the association, and the conservation
who have been church members for sew
bcrs OF the gymnasium and educational
that cheered us greatly.
our Sunday afternoon services are well
attended and have an average attend
ance Of seVenty-five. It's series of special
services were conducted during the month
Of October by Rev. II. j. Willngham. d.
D, subject Walks in and about Jerusa-
lem:' j. Calvin Stewart. subject did
Solomon make a mistake in his choice Of
wisdom; Rev. Or. W. w. Eandrum
spoke on the two following Sundays, tax
ing for his subjects. THE Bible an indie
structible revelation" and The Bible
final revelation"
At the present time we have n strong
religious work committee. consisting of
twelve consecTated men, faithful i'm every
branch OF the religious work OF the assoc
citation. The young mems training ser
vice, which Is held every Monday night,
averages twenty-five attendants. This
service has been organized for the mr.