Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-18
TRAINING THE YOUNG
uotlslilJ nbbltls's RsvlsI q The Work
q Tie Richmond Association.
lc1Vr1 n EVERY BRANCH
An - the Glasses wen FiiIed and Show
ossa Pregrsss-Ths Religious Depart
msnt-Nsw Featgrss.

me report submitted to the Board OF
Directors Of the Young Mems Cnrisuan
Association last Tuesday night by secre-
tary George +. Tibbitts gives an Interesting
review OF the noble work being done by
Che organization, and shows every de-
oartment 10 be In healthy condition. IL
n here given in full. and should be read
nv all who have the interest OF the youth
Of Richmond at heart;
Al this our first meeting OF the board
since the beginning OF our fall cam
paign. am sure you VIII be pleased 10
listen TO the progress and conditions
OF each department. and Will bear win
ms for short time while try 70 give
a few glimpscs OF our daily duties. ana
tbe interesting features OF the associa-
ton. We all without doubt feel the
great responsibility that has been placed
upon us not only by the people OF TINS
city. but by Him who has set this great
orranization in motion throughout the
world. and has intrusted this part Oh
His vineyard to our care. and 10 the one
most interested and anxious that inc
Young men who enter our doors may
indeed be led through the gates Oh
Heaven.
when I attempt to dictate report
like this. always feel utterly iost Ior
words or power 10 portray the mean
ing Of the association or the work DENIS
done. I do not speak OF that wnich is
accomplished especially by tne huiaa .
agencies but we who are connected
with this Christian organization teei 'he
oyer constraining and elcvating influence
going on In our midst. caused by the
Holy Spirit and the open Bible.
FIGURES CANNOT TELL.
statistics are extremely weak In their
endcayors to tell us of their results OF
dollars paid out, the good done 10
many a soul, but II / only had the
ability TO throw on the canvas, so that
we could see with the visible eye the
results. Impressions. confidential talks
with young men. the fathers and mothers
"a they come anxious and eagerly IN
uuiring how their sons can be reached
interested and saved, we would propa-
bly, become yet more interested anu
closely identified with this work. anu
understand the true meaning OF the
Young Mems Christian Association and
Its important place in every city.
We do not stop often enough TO thihh
OF the many cases. the little Things we
may call them, which are truly the great
things of our work, for. ike the Mas
ter, we ever try TO be friends 10 the
fricndless. ready to welcome the
strangers cheer the discouraged. TO pray
with the sick. ard TO comfort those VINO
ARE burdened no matter what the nation
Atty or religion may be. continually
watching for the opportunity 10 poiht
the inquirer to the Friend above an
frlends-thc ore who can help ana save
to the uttcrmost. We cannot appreciate
the continual and widening influence
which goes on forever no more than we
can grasp a ray of light and tell OF us
USE beauty. and power
GLADDENED ANOTHER'S HEART
To illustrate the meaning Oh 'nes.
words | Will relate a little incident tn"'
happened within the past week. sliiina,
to those which are happening contihaaiiy
In our work Two young men came u
the association one night ana "ere
shown through the building by one y,
our assistants, bid welcome, ana ashe'
TO cali again. Noticing as they "ele
about TO go out that they were strahseis
and probably needed little counsel
made haste to stop them and also 10
sneak a kind word. bidding them to feel
nj home. and look upon us as friends
and helpers, IL they needed such assist
ance. | learned that one was from wash
ington. 15 years of age. and the other
from Philadelphia. married, and inca
trlcal performer. The younger one seefheu
70 appreciate every word that WAC
sDoken. but the older seemed to be some
what afraid TO trust us with the secre'S
or information as to his past life. l was
convinced at once that they were not at
all suited to each other the younger
probably being n runaway ana tooi
for the older fellow. l ct once wrote 10
friends In Washington 10 follow up the
uddre.ss that the younger one gave me,
to see II his parents could be found. and
inform them as TO his whereabouts. also
asking their wishes for his future. j re-
cclved a letter from his mother stating
that she was almost broken-hearted over
his departure. ard that she had not
had one hours rest since his departure
until she heard from me. learning OF ms
safety. and 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 Chris
tan life. and Monday came asking what
he ehould do with his companion. as ne
had fully decided not to stay with him
longer, as his influence was entirely IN
the wrong direction. They at once sepa-
rated. the younger finding employment
md the older one made full confession
OF ELL his past life, and asked our prayers,
and seemed thoroughly in earnest as TO
his intention TO lead n Christian lie.
10 leave the stage and return to his nome
In Philadelphia. A pass was secured for
him from the Clyde Line. and we have
every reason TO believe that both have
been benefited by coming in contact win
the association. and as one of them said.
1ar md
trials very severe" yet he believed II
10 be the hand Of God which led him into
this building. where he was pointed In
the right way. and to life everlasting.
I would not have mentioned TINS case
II our president who visited me last eve
ming for little while had not desired
20 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 RELIGIOUS DEPARTMENT.
Now let me speak briefly OF our reli-
glous department: first, for. While we are
Interested In the educational and gym
naSium departments and know they are
good In their places, yet this Is our
foundation rock on which we buiid. Az
the present time we have strong Rem
gious-Work Committee. consisting OF
twelve consecrated men, faithful in every
branch OF the religious work OF the asso-
citation. and with Their assistance we
shall surely see the religious work widen
and deepen, and the things We most desire
accomplished. On sunday, November ith'
We had a conservation meeting at q
O'Clock In the morning. which over Sixty
OF our young men attended. taking part
In testimony and prayer. The subject
was: Search me. y. God. and know
my heart" IL was a surprise TO US all