Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-14
A GOODLY GATHERING
MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL
n. n. Y. M. C. A. CONFERENCE.
First Days SessiOn-Lnrge Number
of Delegates Prescnt-The Address
OF President Ingalls,, of the Chcsa-
pcake and Ohio Road.

CLIFTON FORGE. VA, September 3D.
Special 1.-THE eighth international rail-
road conference OF the Young Mems
Christian Association met here today
Nearly 800 delegates. representing twenty
two States and Canada, are present, and
this evening our city wears an aspect
OF being overcrowded. Delegations from
the West began to arrive as early as
yesterday, and this morning the Chesa-
peake and Ohio, with a special train.
brought In the eastern contingent. 1t is
thoroughly representative body Of rail-
road-men, each delegate being employed
In some one of the vocations of railway
life.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The convention was called to order
at 10 o'clock A. NJ. in the stove foundry,
and permanent organization was effected.
with c. +. Cox, vice-president of the
Canada Southern road, as chairman.
Rev. Il. W. MacCorkle, OF Clifton Forge,
invoked the divine blessing upon the as
semblage. after which there was singing,
led by r. T. Habgood, OF Baltimore.
Rev Theron III. Rice, Jr., of Alexandria.
delivered an address upon THE Service
Required and Expected OF the Servants
OF God; W. f. Fem, Of New York, read
paper on THE Primary Purpose OF the
Association Work." and a general dis
cussIon on the same topic ensued, in
which Messrs. Warburton of New York:
Richards, OF Cleveland. and Habgood. of
Baltimore. participated.
AFTERNOON SERVICE.
The morning session closed with q
song by the Iowa State Quartette. The
afternoon service was largely devoted TO
prayer and singing, led by X. p. Hab-
good, OF Baltimore. and X. +. Burleigh.
cornetist, Of New York Messrs. Gatchell,
OF Indiana, and Byron. Of Wisconsin,
read papers upon Lunch and Rest
Rooms; Their Value and Management, ="
In the course Of which particular empha-
sis was thrown upon the fact that a
properly conducted restaurant and sleep
ing apartment in connection with the
Young Mems Christian Association work
ed great detriment TO the saloons, and
encouraged patronage OF a worthy cause.
Secretary George b. Hodge, of the
international Committee, discussed the
advantages and growth Of the educational
department Of the Young Mems Christian
Association, and an address on the
Spiritual Life of the Railroad Men" by
Rev. Theron Rice. OF Alexandria, closed
the afternoon session.
NIGHT SESSION.
Nearly ECO people crowded into the
stove-foundry at the evening session OF
the international conference OF the YOUNG
Mems Christian Association to hear
the speech Of President Ingalls,, OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio. Rev. Pendletou
Jones, on behalf OF the churches, and
Judge George Anderson, on behalf OF the
citizens of Clifton Forge, welcomed the
visitors 10 our city.
Responses were made by General Sec
retary Morse, OF the International Com
mittee, and Chairman Cox, OF the Cana
da Southern, who introduced the speaker
OF the evening
President ingalls, was a pioneer in es-
tablshing the work and buildings OF the
Young Mems Christian Association along
the line OF the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
way. and his remarks were confined
chiefly TO the great benefit achieved by
this work on his line. and the good results
in the service obtained by its aid. Said
he: when we came into possession OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio we found II
behind the times. At the incipiency Of
this work II looked like "A forlorn hope,
but II was inauguratec and pursued with
a steadfast and untiring energy, and now
to-day. with the YOUNG Mems Christian
Association and the Chesapeake and Ohio
the progress of the one is the advance
ment of the other.