The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-13
THE Y. M. C. A. BANQUET
The Members Eat Oysters and Listen to a
Brilliant Law of Wit, 0ratory and Music.
WHILE MAYOR c. W. PETIT PaEsIDES.
One Of the Largest Gatherings OF the
Membership Ever Held The His
tory of the Organization Detailed
by MT. ID. Ethcridge, While MI.
Vicar TeIIn of u Dream.

Vicar TeIIH of u Dream.
Last night was great one for the
young men who are SO fortunate as to
hold membership I'm the Young Mems
Christian Association. of which there
| are just 500 I'm this city. The majority
! OF this 500 young men were in the as
sociation's handsome building last
night. They were there To meet their
new Board of Directors and tender them
an oyster supper. The affair was ar
ranged more to acuuaint the members
with the gentlemen who will manage
the affairs of the organization, and II is
SAFE TO say that before the assembly dis
pcrsed everyone knew everyone else, as
well as If they We're OF the same fam
ily
All formality was laid aside for the
evening and staid business men con-
Versed with young clerks and mechanics
on equal ground. Every man present
was everybody elses equal, as is al
ways the case within the doors of the
Young Mems Christian Association of
Norfolk
1t was $50 O'Clock when General Score
tary Towson lined up the directors at
the door leading into the gymnasium
ana introduced each member of the as
ISOLATION as he passed before them into
the hail, In which six long tables fairly
groaned beneath the weight of the good
things displayed thereon. Seats were
arranged for some two hundred young
mon. and every seat was filed with not
enough TO go around When all had
succeeded in crowding into the hall,
Rev. f.. Il. Hatcher. of the First hap
list Church. asked IL blessing and then
followed vcrita BILE oyster war and new
er were so many bivalves annihilated in
such short time.
The hail II
with bunting, the Spanish flag occupy
ing as prominent Il position as the stars
and Stripes. There was IN war feeling
among those present. except against
those oysters, and In this case tho feel
ing was not pent-up one. The tables
themselves were handsomely decorated
in flowers, growing plants ami shaded
lamps.
Mayor Petit presided at the flow of
wit. oratory and music. which followed
even laying aside the dignity of Il Chief
Magistrate OF 4 growing city II furnish
considerable of the former himself in
his reference to the men who were being
entertaincd-the new Board of Directors
for the Mayor had the social fever as
bad as anybody else present. ami was
determined that no one should do more
to encourage the young men and max Q
them feel at home than he.
Mr.. ID. Ethcridge was the first speaker.
ilt EoNt hlStDtS W lHP tSStcl,lllOE
since it's organization, IN 1854, detailing
the increase in membership from time
to time and showing the great growth III
membership and intcrcst during the
past year.
The Gill brothers followed with :,
mandolin ana guitar duet. ana they
would have worn the strings OF their in
struments through had not there been
others who desired 10 b. heard, among
whom W Il
dent of the Association, who told Of Il
dream he had dreamed as 10 the work
of the association during tho past Year
and prophecy as to the future. lir
spoke of the several departments of Y
NJ. G. y. work ard said that even the
preachers come TO the gymnasium for
muscular exercise. For" said the
speaker, muscular Christianity is on
top" lie wanted the dream to come
true and asked the support OF the mem
hers to it's realization. All the members
said they would do so. Mr.. Vicar gave
some good advice 10 the young men.
Mr.. Harry l5lltt sang The Bells OF ST
Marv's" in excellent style, and was
loudly appfaudcd.
Mr.Noyc* spoke about the member
ship and the object OF the organi2atio
TO lift up young men. The outlook for
the coming year depended upon the ma
telial they had To select from and this
ne showed. was abundant i'll this city
He mad. many suggestions of vnl;e 10
the young men present in the way Of
doubling the membership of the y NJ
G. y. during The next year.
Mr.. Barton Myers suggested the for
nation OF two teams To enter a mem
hrrship contest, th" winnin. team to
receive bicycle. which could he voted
to some nIcmhcr of the winning team.
with smaller prizes TO the others.
~ frieflcss Bairis;cr" was recited by
Mr.. NJ. 7. Hayes, a young attorney, who
also offered Il toast To the new board
and General Secretary.
Mr.. w. T.. Iumle? sang q solo. which
so pleased the young men that they
wanted him to repeat II.
General Secretary Towson spoke ON
Our Association" I'm berinnin,, no
asked for three cheers FOR the associa-
ton. and they were Justify given. He
seconded the idea offered by Mr.. Myers
as TO Increasing the membership ana
began the effort at once to organize TN.
teams for this work. lie said that Y
NJ. G. y. work was work for men ana
a united work and impressed upon those
present the Importance OF working for
the organization
After three cheers for the associn
non. the young men departed for their
homes convinced Of the fact that n
great future was before the Young Mems
Christian AssoCia ton of Norfolk
M IL