The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-15
Consider the Resignation of GensraI Sec
rotary ToWson, Of the Y. N. C. A.
HIS GOOD WORK AND SPLENDID RECORD
Increase or Membership or NcnrI,
Four iundred-Mnny Few Fcat>
urcs Observation-Disclosures RcErc,
The Position VIII nc Hard to Fiji
Satisfactorily.

| Young Mems Christian association
held its regular monthly meeting las.
rig'nt. 1t was an interesting one chief
ly Tor the fact that the resignation of
the general secretary, Mr.. c. r. Tow
| son, came up for acceptance. This res
| ignation Is the source of great regret
! not only 10 the board and aSsDcia ton
| burt to the public. which has learned 10
appreciate and regard the genial and
| energetic general secretary will n meas
urc Of affection rarely bestowed by the
| people here upon an occupant of q
| similar Office st
lie has been at all ttm:s consistent
progressive, careful alike for THE ma
terial as we'll as the spiritual Interests
nj the association. making, In the two
years and Il half of his connection with
the Norfolk association record tina;
Is unsurpassed In ,the particular field
In which he iabors.
The merit of his work, and his pecu-
liar adapfablfty to 1t quickly became
recognized In other States and cities,
ana OF late he has iheen bcsiegcd with
onsrs from various associations. in
Guiding Atlanta. Brooklyn and other
large cides. He finally decided TO accent
the position of general secretary Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad association
at Philadelphia, and after reaching this
CONCLUSION, at once announced 10 the
board his intentions.
MI. TSwson came here from Roanoke.
where he had been acting general sec
retary OF bhSt association He had
Formerly been member Of the board OF
directors of the Baltimore associa finn
Since his connectsoh with This ono liz
membership has Increased from $50 In
oto. y number of new features have
besn inau2urGted. Including educa
tional classes, Boys Gospel ARMY
swimming and boat house, Star Course
nj the Academy of Music. orchestra, e,,,
Ills place Will be exceedingly hard 20
fill.
The text of MIR. Towson's resignation
is interesting, and is published in full:
Gentlemen:
IN submitting to you herewith my
shatlon as general secretary OF the
Norfolk Young Mems Christian nssn.
ciation ! beg leave to saw that In r;yiny
up my work here, I am following what
believe TO be the path of. duty asso-
ciHtionally and personally.
My work here has been conrcniul
and my association with this board and
me members of the association exceed
ihEiy pleasant, and the work Is rclin-
Guishcd with regret.
ASSOCIATION work Is always difficult,
and the Norfolk work is not an eycen-
II
association work is. in INV Judgment
of incstimaIble value to n community
ana Norfolk offers n field of great on
portunity for such work.
HHMt some Of the difficulties have
hcen overcome and some effective work
mas Desn done is evident.
Our building is now we'll equipped for
use, repairs and improvements To tho
amount amount or $1,000 having been made
1oc
Inns membership on the 1st of this
month was GAG and will be Increased
during the month.
our financial constituency has ",
creased. and while we have not been
'nlc 10 reach the ideal in fnonrIn,
matters, our receipts have been made
10 meet our operating expenses. besides
me cos, of improvements, and no en-
pIoFe or the association has ever been
.nPeilea 10 wait for his salary ten
days after It became due.
Owing to shortage with u.bf,h -,
entered upon the work. we have moi
Deeh abPe to present n clean balance
Hheet. However, had 1t not been Tor
me loss incurred in connection Win
ne erection of the new bank buildjnr
We co'!a' nave made n better financial
showing than one year since: the Ioss
10 Whlch refer was two-foId n.
~ 'he cost OF the work done in
projecting the wall and all of cost Of
,n'erior repairs; and the loss sustained
ny reason OF being closed for six weclse
we are indebted to the Citjzans.
i'ank Tor voluntarily ASSUMING, So
nan OF the cost of protecting the won
ana lof the economy exercised in loipn
the work - '''iiS
Our work as a whole Is fairly ,.o,,
uIsuh4IeH' the physical department is
,ioas Earsely used than ever and the
nv, nv! u"ne thcrc is of n high order
ne ihtelIectual work comprchending.
40 IL uoes, the reading room. library
lectures, evening classes and literary
society. Is very hopeful
me Junior department now nuubar.
nlnctE-e!ght members and tho Rove,
Hospei Army speaks for itself 10 those
VINO attend their meetings. No phase
81 our aSs1c!at ton effort offers a more
mcnt pa
Few associations have moro onco,r-
aging religious work thnn ours-a
men meeting averaging 100. a hove
meeting averaging 125 and threa RibIo
eiasSeS every week indicate something
~ the possibilities of the field roll
Slousiy. In this department cspccially
.i,s cooperation Of the pastors of the
CITY has been Invaluable.
-. " 'i'S p'cSS VI iHc city and their
courteous representatives have re-
ceiNed assistance that has proven very
'"inable. The association is fortunate
in the support thus given.
IN guaranteeing the office OF ponnrol
SECRETARY allow me to thank Won fer
me consideration extended me unon
all occasions. and to assure YOU that
ike treatment of my successor. who
ever he shall be. must augment his
ellciencS and add to his pleasure in
serving you.
II the work has met your approval,
permit me TO remind You that to my
associates rs que very large part of
the commendation, and I cordioi,v tcs-