Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-28
THEIR THIRD DAY.
STATE CONVENTION OF THE Y. NJ.
c. A. At PETERSBURG.
ADDRESS ON PERSONAL WORK
Plans for the Future-Report OF the
state EXECUTIVE committee-some
Railroad Train.

PETERSBURG. VA. February H.
| (special.)-The third days session Of the
Young Mems Christian Association State
convention was opened with praise-service
conducted by w. II. Ward. OF Norfolk.
and prayer by Rev. J. William Jones.
d. d.
When the convention opened for bust
ness, as the session was very much OF
a business one, Mr.. Cochran Preston. OF
Hampden-sidney. took the chair. Owing
TO the absence OF Rev. DR.. c. I. SEQ
field. OF Massachusetts,, who was called
home yesterday by the Illness OF his
wife, the address assigned TO him on
the subject, Fishers OF Men," was
! omitted on the programme, much TO the
regret OF the convention. DR.. Scofield
was very prominent among the speakers
Of the convention. and his addresses
were very instructive.
In his stead, however, State-Secretarv
L. A. Coulter delivered an admirable
address on Personal Work" This is a
work, he said, in which every man is or
should be engaged-frst, as shown by
the precepts and example of our Divine
Lord; second, as shown by the examples
Of the early Church. Under the first
! head ne discussed the personal and in
divdual work of Christ; under the Sc
| cond he showed what had been done by
the early Church. He then spoke Of
the work being done i'm the present day:
Of the lack of interest among the peo-
pie in the all important matter Of reli-
gion; Of the great number of people who
| fail to attend church, and who could
only be induced 10 do so by nersonal
and individual work. He appealed TO
each delegate before leaving the build
ing TO consecrate himself to this work
and endeavor by prayer and intercession
70 bring men TO accept Christ. Such
earnest, individual work would be bless
cd by the Master to the saving of a
| multitude of souls.
Short prayers followed this address
several members praying that they be
given strength and will to carry out the
individual and personal work.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The convention then took up the sub
ject Of "Plans for 1891" Mr.. S. X Nc
Kee, Of Richmond, who was in the chair
asked members 10 testify TO the help
given their respective associations by the
State Committee. Responses TO this re-
quest were made by representatives of
| associations at the following places all
Of whom were eloquent in their praise
OF the efficient work Of State-Secretary
Coulter, and Of the benefit derived
spiritually and financially through his
efforts: Norfolk, Harrisonburg. Roanoke
Forge, and Hampton; and the following
colleges: Hampden-sdney, Randolph
Macon William and Mary, Virginia
| Polytechnic.
AN INTERESTING REPORT.
Mr.. W. A. Cottrell, OF Newport News,
chairman Of the committee appointed 10
examine and report on the report of
the State Executive Committee, sub
mitted the following, which was read
and discussed seriatim, and then adopt
cd as a whole.
The committee is pleased to note the
decided gains in every department Of
association work, particularly in Bible
study. we believe that the work through
out the State has been we'll and faith
fully supervised by the committee. In the
earnest hope that the work Of the Young
Mems Christian Association in the State
efficiency. we endorse these recommends
lions of the State Committees report:
1. That 5000 be raised for the coming
years work; that each association be
urged 10 make contribution; that
pledges for at least two thirds Of the
whole amount be secured in this con-
vention.
.. That each association present the
State work at the meeting the first sun
day in March. IL possible. and that OPP
portunity be given friends TO make sub
scriptions for the support Of the work.
3. That thoroughly organized work I'M
der the supervision OF regularly appointed
committees be prosecuted. urging that al
least one conference be held in each dis
trict during the year.
4. That the week Of prayer IN Novem-
Der. appointed by the Worlds Committee.
be observed in part or whole by every
association; that hearty free-will offerings
for the work Of the International Commit
tee be taken, this to be additional TO
regular contributions.
g. That the minutes of the convention
be revised. and that the committee be
authorized to publish the same.
6. That earnest effort be made 10 more
thoroughly organize classes for the syste-
matte study Of the Word Of God; that
every association be urged 10 organize
at least one personal workers class for
training men for intelligent hand-to-hand
service.
7. That we urge every college associa-
ton to send Z delegation Of picked men
10 the Southern Students Summer School,
TO be held at Knoxville June next; that
an effort be made to secure at least fifty
delegates from Virginia colleges.
8. That the State Committee be in
rra.f. h.. fan Gil nf
inaugrrating special work for minors.
Q. We note with pleasure the increase
in the number of men brought 20 Christ
during the past year, through the In
strumentality OF the associations, and
would urge that each association follow
I'D with the greatest possible diligence
the case of every man processing CONVEX
sion I'm the association. to the end that he
may be brought into the Church Of
Christ.
10 The following men are recommended
for members of the State Executive Com
nittee 10 succeed those whose terms Of
office expire with this convention: B. L.
Johnson. Charles X. Willis. ID. 5. Bennett,
w. J. Whitehurt. w. w. Smith, r. +.
Shirley. w. S. Mechanism, and Charles
T.. Bishop.
After the adoption OF the report Mr..
Mckee appointed committee of four.
who went through the convention, and
obtained pledges of sl,7S.50 and S62s in