The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-06-04
THE Y. M. G. A. WORK.
Anniversary SOrvloos Hold at tho
Building Yesterday,
INTERESTING ADDRESSES MADE
by Several Gentlemen that Woro Lis
tened 10 With Attention by the
large MISUNDERSTANDING Lynch's
Talk on tho Work OF tho Association
Was Ono of tho Features.

Tho Y. NJ. c. A. building on South
Market street was crowded yesterday
afternoon. tho occasion being tho serv.
ices commemorative OF tho litioth ami.
vcrsary Of tho birth OF tho association.
Tho audience was not confined alone TO
young mon, but n largo part OF it was
composed OF ladies who take an interest
in tho workings OF the association In
Wheeling. Tho services started at 4
o'clock. President J, n. Vance acting as
leader.
The first oyont Oh the programme was
the praise service conducted by a strong
malo chorus, after which Row. DR.. F. D.
Y. Buckley, Of the Thomson NJ. L. chuLch
conducted tho Scripture lesson. Thon
Rov. DR.. D. A. Cunningham, OF the
First Presbyterian church, made an
eloquent prayer.
A quarlettoNcomposod OF Mossrs. G.. S.
Morrison, W. NJ. Clemuns, +. II. Will
liams and A. l. Meyer gave nm appro-
pirate selection, and then the address
by Secretary John G. Inch, "The Past
Tho organization aud development OF
the associalions-Tholr growth is nun.
bcrs, secretaries, buildings and works."
was delivered. MIR. Lynch sud in tho
urso OF his address:
II presume it is well known by all oil
Won thnf ihn GFuf nrunrtnVtnn ,tn. a.,,,,-
izod by Mir. George Williams in Lon.
don. George Williams was born in n
small village In tho west OF England.
AT tho age OF sixteen Ito became m APP.
prentice in n business house in Bridge
water. While there he was led to yield
his heart to tho Lord Jesus Christ. He
had been taught to 90 to church and to
say his prayers. but after his conversion
he had that Joy and peace that only
to those who realize that their
aims arc forgiven. lie 1t once became
anxious ior the welfare OF his associatoa,
SO much SO that his family was greatly
disturbed. They thought tina, he would
not amount to anything III business.
During his stay in Bridgewatcr many Of
his follow clerks were led by his efforts
into a like precious faith in Christ. In
1871 George Williams removed TO Lon
don and took a position in the large
drapcry establishment OF George Hitch
cock & Co.. St. Paul's Churchyard.
Here he found himself ono OF about q
hundred clerks and nearly all OF them
irreligious.
''rho same burning zeal for Christ
that characterized him ut Bridgewuter,
manifested itself in London. lie pray
ed that God would open 4 way OF use
fulness for him among his ungodiy COM
panions, and no especially prayed that
q companion, likc.minded, might be
sent into tho establishment. In course
OF time his prayer was answered and the
companion came. They prayed togc,h-
or and sought 10 winconiidence by kind
ness in their intercourse with their fell
low clerks and by industrious attention
to their duties. They soon induced 4
few companions to join them in even
ing meetings for prayer and Bible study.
1t was customary then for clerks TO &C.
cnpy rooms in the business houses
where they were employed. These
meetings were held in George Williams
room which soon became too small. To
obtain tho usc OF another room applica-
ton to tho PRINCIPAL OF the establish
mont became necessary This the
young men feared. Tho principal was
m ablo man OF business but was ire
religious and had done nothing for tho
comfort and welfare OF his clerks. The
young mon were kindly received and
thanked for the interest they had taken
in the establishment. The room was
granted and the principal yielded him
self to Christ and joined his young
clerks in this spiritual work. Mr..
Williams became impressed with the
importance OF introducing into every
large establishment in London religious
services such rs wcro then enjoyed in
the house OF Geo. Hitchcock & Co. He
spoke OF this broader work to n friend
and on Thursday evening June 6, 1871,
in Geo. Williams little bed room WAS
formed u society for the Improvement
Of the spiritual condition OF young men
and called the Young Mems Christian
Association.
The association was organized with
eight members. At the end OF tho first
year there were lG0 members. Soon
other associations were established and
Information OF their work spread to
this country. The young mon OF Mon
troal formed the first association in
November, 1851. About the same time
Mr.. Ford, the present proprietor Of the
Youths Companion. called n meeting OF
tho Christian young men OF Boston, and
in the Old South Church, December 10,
1851. tho first association was organ