Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-05-05
Religious Work at the University of Va


1 Of the 485 students at the University
of Virginia, 271 are members of the
church; 1862 are members of the Young
Mems Christian Association; 35 are ac-
lively engaged in some form or other
of public religious work.
II
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion conduct Student Bible Glasses,
attended by 81 students, and maintain
4 Sunday Schools, one at the Univer-
sity and three in the country.
J III.
The Bible courses offered by Mr.. G.
A. Young, and requiring of those pur-
suing them outside work in prepara.
ton for recitation, are attended by 81
students, while the public lectures de-
livered by Mr.. Young are attended by
about 35 students and by larger num-
Der of the residents of the community.
| The Secretary reports that this work
is considered by the students as ex-
tremely interesting and valuable. Very
busy students are now giving five hours
a week of extra time to this Bible
study.
The religious services at the Univer
sity of Virginia are as follows:
1. Sunday services. morning and
evening, in the University Chapel.
This Chapel, costing $50, 900, was donat-
ed to the University by loyal friends,
for the most part of this community,
and is set aside exclusively for religi-
Gus exercises. The services on Sun.
days are conducted by distinguished
evangelical ministers invited by com
mittee composed of students and mem
bers of the Faculty.
2. Evening prayer seryic daily in the
Chapel, conducted by students and pro-
fessors.
3. Weekly prayer service for students
every Wednesday evening.
4. The Week of Prayer was duly OBJ
served in November and December. Spec
ial services were held by MIR. Matthews,
of Oxford, England.
V.
During last session (96-97) there was
collected for all University religious pur-
poses the sum of So Ass, of which about
81 500 was contributed by the students,
and about 500 by the Faculty. 1t de-
serves special notice that all religious
exercises and all contributions for their
support are purely voluntary.
vi.
The General Secretary of the Young
Men S Christian Association is its sala-
ried officer, who gives almost all of his
time to the religious work Of the Univer-
sity. Not only does he perform all the
usual duties of a pastor in visiting the
sick, looking after the religious services,
talking, as opportunity offers, with
young men on religious topics, but in
addition he keeps an Office where he may
be consulted at any time, aud frequently
entertains young men at his home.
all the committees, of all regular relig-
ious exercises. and of matters pertaining
to the general spiritual welfare of the
students.
VII.
AS far as can be ascertained the pres
ent religious status of the University
is most encouraging. There has been
decided growth in the membership of
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, and q marked improvement in
the active participation of the members
in the work of the Association. The
influential position of the Association
was never more fully and frankly rec
ognized by both Faculty and students.
A permanent home in a building of its
own would greatly enhaoce its useful
ness. Signed,
CHARLES W. KENT,
Chairman of the Committee
on Religious Exercises.