The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-03
SERVICES.

MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Action Taken by the Y. NJ. G. A. on Sunday
NTH Il. ference the Memory of Their
Creates. Beuefacior-spe. ch-s and Let
ters That Express the Sentiments of Full
Hearts.
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton held a special service in the audi
forum at 4:45 o'clock Sunday after
noon in memory OF the lamented Mr..
David G. Worth, who departed this
life at Ills p. m. Sunday, November
21st. There was a large attendance
and the services were interesting and
impressive.
Miss Fannie Corbett presided at the
piano and after two hymns had been
sung by the assemblage, A. j. Howell,
Esq, president Of the association, call
ed the meeting to order and stated the
purpose for which it had been called.
On the rostrum with him were the Rev.
p. H. Hoge, D.. D., Rev. w. Il. Oliver,
Colonel Roger Moore and Mr.. T. c..
Diggs, general secretary of the associa-
ton.
After the object Of the meeting had
been stated. the Rev. DR.. Hoge read
Psalm 81 and led in prayer.
Mr.. Diggs then explained that when
year ago last summer, the association
adopted resolutions OF sympathy for
Mr.. Worth and they were forwarded to
him. He then read the following letter
written by MI. Worth himself with ref
erence to the resolutions:
Greenville Sound,
Near Wilmington, N. c.,
September 80, 1896.
Thos. c. Diggs, Secretary Y. NJ. c. A.,
Wilmington, N. c.:
Nv Dear Sir: Your very comforting
letter Of the 25th of August in behalf
Of the "active members" of the assO-
citation, was duly received and read to
me while / was PROSTATE with sick
ness and nigh unto death, as l then
Thought, and as others feared. 1t was
indeed comforting to hear such tender
words Of sympathy and such warm ex-
pressions Of esteem and regard as 1t
pleased the young men to convey to me
through you
i UIldIlh lIlClIl " 'llIC III oAASiS"
in my behalf. I have the fullest faith
that our kind and merciful Heavenly
Father is a a hearing and a pray
err answering God, and that in my case
He suffered himself to be entreated by
the many prayers of my many friends
to bless the means used for my recOv-
cry. I am thankful to say that 1 am
improving rapidly. "Oh! thatmen would
praise the Lord for His goodness and
Pow HE uyor1arfu1 urorlyc To fhn chill
dren of men," 1 have cause to praise
him, and I trust / may never cease to
do so with my whole heart n soul.
Now with an expression of very
waTmest interest in the Christian well
fare of the young men of the Whining
ton association, and my highest regard
and esteem for yourself, l am
Sincerely yours,
; d. G. WORTH.
Colonel Roger Moore then addressed
the meeting as follows:
I'VE are not here this evening to tell
of the many other noble be~nefactions
and charities by Mr.. Worth, nor the
good he has accomplished for Whining
ton in a business way, or the work he
has done for his c~hurch-for this is
known by all, but to tell what one BEN
efactor has done for us-the Young
MEMS Christian Association-and those
who have sons that are sheltered from
h vices in this community by this
institution that he did so much for.
From the time Of the starting Of this
association by his son, George C..
Worth, and a few associates, Mr..
Worth too a most lively interest in 1t.
giving largely to the building fund,
subscribing to it's bonds and aiding
largely in supplying furniture to the
building. He not only gave largely of
his means, but as a emb of the
finance and building committee gave
largely of his time in raising funds,
collecting and soliciting for the associa-
tion. looking after the erection Of this
magnificent building. SO that as long
as It remains here it will be a mOnu-
ment to the m of this great and
good man, and after 1t has crumbled
away and been forgotten, the influence
for good inaugurated here by Mr..
Worth and those that have been asso-
ciated with him will live on forever.
My recollection is Mr.. Worth first
gave $1,000 to the building fund, and
he afterwards supplemented it with
$1,000 more. Then he subscribed and
took quite a number Of bonds, not less
than $4,000. He also contributed large
ly during his life, annually from $50 to
5000 to it's current expenses, and then
when the building was about complet-
ed and they required the chairs and
furniture for the auditorium, Mr..
Worth arranged hat amount, not less
than 81, 200. Mr.. Bunting's drug store
was completed and before he could oc-
cupy it, furniture, show and prescrip-
ton cases, shelving, etc, had to be
provided and Mr.. Worth did this, my
recollection is, at a cost of not less than
$500. the association being without
funds. One would think that this was
enough for any generous man to do,
but when the building was completed
we had a debt of $23, 900 to $685. 900 (thess
were dark days. that must be paid.
After ~eXhausting every effort, we re-
ceived a proposition that a loan of $780,
600 would be made. but the property
must be free from all other incum-