Evening star., 1895-05-06
THE GAMBLERS DENOUNCED
Session of Christian E,deavor Union of
Alexandria
Condition of Affairs in Alexandria
County the Subject of Speeches
and Resolutions.

The second annual session of the Local
Union, composed of the Christian Endeavor
societies of northern Virginia, was held in
the new NJ. E. Church at Arlington Satur-
day, with an attendance of one hundred
and fifty delegates and visitors President
F. w. Bessley Of Vienna presided, with
Miss Maud Rathbun of Falls Church secre-
tary. The societies of Fairfax, Alexandria
and Loudoun counties were represented.
The Linconia Society, recently organized,
applied for admission into the union, and
the delegates were cordially received and
admitted to seats in the convention.
The verbal reports from the societies rep
resented were an interesting feature at the
morning session. The question of the organ
iZation of junior societies was considered,
and Rev. J.W. Norris was appointed to have
charge of this work. The interests of Chris
tan Endeavor work in the city of AleXan-
dria was referred to the Arlington and Bal
ston societies, to report az next session. The
committee on nominations of officers for
the ensuing year reported the following,
viz: President, H. Ray Blanchard of Hern-
don; vice president, H. o. Cornwell of
Spring Vale; secretary, Miss Grace Dou-
glass cf Balston; treasurer, Miss Anna
Munson of Arlington. These nominations
were confirmed by the convention. One of
the speakers having referred in mis- address
to the deplOrabe condition of public affairs
in the county of AleXanlria-sale of lquor~
gambling, &c,-an animated discussion took
place over the subject, and q committee.
consisting of Rev. j. w. Norris, H. f. Love,
b. A. Shreve, H. Ray blanchard and Mrs.
S. Z. Bailey, was appointed to draft an eX
preston of the sen tments of the conven-
ton in regard to the matter. An invitation
from the Ealston society for the convention
to hold its semi-annual session in Novem-
ber at that place was accepted, and the first
Saturday in November was fixed as the
date Of the meeting.
The committee appointed to draft an ex-
n q
the condition of affairs inAlexandria county
reported the following, viz: I'VE, as repre-
sentatives of the Y. P. S. c. E. here as
sembled, representing different Protestant
denominations and societies of the Chris
tian EndCavor societies in the counties,
composing the Local Union of Northern
Virginia, knowing the deplorable condition
of affairs in this county, and feeling that
we. as a society, desire to take action
thereon, do adopt the following, viz: AS
Christian Endeavorers, we believe that
Christ. We believe that His Gospel has to
do with everything that affects human
veal; that His law is the standard of pub
lie no less than private virtues; that no
social institution, no civil law practice,
no commercial custom that does not har-
moniZe with the principles of His word has
any right to exist; and We hail the awak-
ening Of public sentiment that demands in
official stations. in legislative halls, in COM
nercial chambers and in judicial courts a
wholesome respect for the moralities of the
Gospel. We cannot acquit ourselves before
our own consciences or before the bar of
GCd IL we do not use the prerogatives of
our citizenship to make this sentiment ef-
fective in advancing public honesty, official
integrity, and in the overthrow of every
iniQuity which casts its blighting shadow
upon our homes, our counties, our state and
our nation. AS an organization we are not
the-tool or the slave of any political party,
but we seek affiliation and pledge co-opera-
ton with every man or body of men who
love Righteousness and hate iniquity, and,
as voters, and as the wives and sisters of
voters, we consecrate our suffrages, or our
power to influence suffrages, to every
cause that promotes civic righteousness,
social purity, industrial equity and the ad-
justment of human relations upon the
basis of the fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood of mankind" The convention
Unanimously indorsed the report. Rev. ].
X. Mason of Herndon then delivered an ad-
dress on the subject. christian Endeavor;
The Good of IT. Hymn "Blest Be the Tie
That Binds y was sung, followed by an
impressive conservation service until ad-
journment The proceedings of the conven-
ton were marked throughout with good
feeling and cordiality The arrangements
for the session were perfect, the church
tastily decorated the dinner, for variety
and excellence, could not be surpassed, and
the ladies in charge of all these details
We're eminently deserving of the hearty
vote of thanks rendered them.