The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-02
CHARMING RECEPTION
The Young Mems Christian Association
Celebrates Its Annual Opening.
LAVISH AND HANDSOME DECORATIONS
Lnrgc Number OF Guests Prcscnt.
Tho Program Was Informal nnd
Delightful = improvements Mnac
Are Numerous ma dArtistic-Rcndy
for tho Year's Work.

-A'S AoaiiS HlSI SnElStl8ll ASSOCl0-
,tion" celebrated It's opening for the fall
and winter sessions by ~ royal recep-
ton last Night. Tho ample rooms of
the organizations handsome structure
had been very elaborately and tastcs.lly
decorated in honor of the event. Palms
ana FERNS were everywhere In the most
iavish profuslon, anG above them
urooped gay cOlored bunting artistically
huns, with here and there an Ameri-
can nag punctuatlng the long spaces of
red. white and blue
The Vestibule, reception room and
reading room were particularly pretlily
decorated, and as the work was done
entirely by the young men, 1t reflects
great credit upon their sense of the
artistic and beautiful. and they may
consider 1t q compliment when 1t Is said
that feminine hands could hardly have
done better
BY 8:15 the rooms were thronged with
guests. Many sought hospItable corners,
otners gathered in gay groups ana chat
ted ABOUT everything new and old; others
indulged In games OF all sorts-every one
round amusement and plenty Of 1t until
MT. ToWson, the genIaf general secre-
tary,i extended an Invitation to oil to
come UP stairs and enjoy the pro-
gramne that had been prepared for
them. The Invitation was unanimously
or the many pleasant entertainments
given in the pretty little hall has been
more enjoyed than that of last night
The president. Mr. RobeltL TAFT. made
n few introductory remarks and Gull
ed upon DR.. Young ITO Offer prayer, af-
ter which MIR. Waiter Dey sang finely
a baritone solo, With guitar accompani-
ment
DR.. r. L. Payne presented the physi-
cal work of the s3SSLNrin oh u
very clearly the dependence OF ithe
mind upon tho condition OF the body
Urging the care of the physical sys-
item and development of a sound body
ctfhI5lfa Sizing THE loss the world susta adns
IN 1.-The physical decay cf its manhood
and commanding THE work of the as
sooialttCn generally, and especially thc
work of the Norfolk association in that
TT is devoted to body building rather
chan, to trick work, declaring that our
boys, Will reap ,the result of THE support
We give the work.
Mr. Terry Gordon captured 1.-THE audi
ence by his reobtaltions and facial eX-
pressions.
THE Rev. Dr.. w. ]. Young spoke Of
the absolute necessity of the spiritual
work, which can only he done by the
add of THE Holy Spirit
Miss Annie Dey snng swee,tly nnd .ef-
fcctlvely I'm Talking In My Sleep"
The general secretary made brief ref
erence to THE schedule Of class work
Star Course and the Sunday services.
The Rev. ~ S. Lloyd, lin q few brief
remarks laid emphasis upon THE fact
'thmt we are largely as our environment
we are like the crowd we run with
The association affords many ppportu-
mites for the men we need clean sur-
roundings and ought Ito have cordial
support.
The Gill Brothers were received with
evidence of much pleasure. and played
with skill and precision 1.-THE Carnival
of Venice followed by two very taking
encores.
Dr. NJ. II. Wharton presented the in
telleotual work of Hhe association In
language chaste-Iin beautiful and cf-
feotive ncriods-and with strong argu-
mcnt ahe eloquent speaker endorsed the
work of the associatoin especially in Its
educational classes. Recently inaugural
ed.
At the conclusion Of DR.. Wharton's
remarks the audience accepted unani-
mously mn invitation TO witness n basket
ball game :n the gymnasium. played by
two teams composed of Mcssrs. Percy
Williams. captain: w. T. Vellines, II. ].
Rutter. S. j. Pollard. d. w. Coates, for
Whites. and Messrs. II. r. Russell, cap
tain: c. G. Bishop, b. b. Ferguson. j.
III. Hannah. r. c. Marks, Jr, for the
Reds. Mr.. ~. J. Moreland acted as re-
feree and Mr.. w. II. Hayes as timer.
IMPROVEMENTS MADE.
y number Of improvements have been
made in the building-rhe reading room
has been papercd and painted and n
new table and paper rack added; In the
reception room the game tables have
been put in order, the large croquet
n ,.nI N,, ,
put in.
The lobby presents the most marked
change In appearance. having been
covered with n dark paper, with
n rich design In red and gold; more
space has been given to the office. 40
that now the general secretary, assist
ant secretary and physicaI director have
their decks In the lobby office: n large
and handsome correspondence table
has been added, and all the wood work
repaintcd.
y cloak room, with the check system,
is, one Of the best improvements. The
attendant will have charge Of the check
ing and the towels and will keep the
gymnasium door, insurlng greater prI
vacy to the gymnasium members.
The west parlor has been devoted to
the educational class work This Is n
very handsome room and was decorated
'as gift to the association recently by
Mr. c. B. Mitchell.
The room formerly used by the bows
will also be used for educa tional classes,
Of which there will be twe1ve It Is
handsomely papered and painted, new
curtains and number Of decks put in
position.
The hallway Is now brilliantly lighted
by gas and electricity and has been re-
papered and painted.
In the gymnasium the apparatus has