Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-30
MIC. A. SECRETARIES
TO HOLD THIRD ANNUAL STATE
CONFERENCE HERE THIS WEEK.
WORK HAS PROGRESSED WELL.
All of the Forty-Sevcn Associations
in Virginia VIII Have Good Things
to RcpOrt-GOod1y Company 10
Come-Thursdny and Friday.

The Richmond Young Mems Christian
Association will again have the pleasure
OF entertaining the annual conference Of
Virginia association secretaries.
The sessions will be held in the Ricn-
mond building on Thursday and Friday
OF this week. and will be full Of interest
and helpfulness. The following secre-
taries are expected TO be present, in addi-
ton 10 the Richmond executive force:
Mr.. G. c. Kent Jr.. of Newport News
who has been in his present field for
over seven years. and who is fayorably
known as "secretarial father; Mr.. II. c.
| Snead, general secretary a Lynchburg
during the past five years; Mr.. j. Z.
Stubbs general secretary Of the Ports
mouth association. well and fdvoraoiy
known in Richmond as assistant TO Cen
Secretary Mckee for more than two
years Mr.. II. A. Meacham. general sec
rotary at Norfolk. who has been in the
State almost four years; also. Secretaries
Weeks Of Clifton Forge. Kruse of Crewe.
karnes Of Gladstone. Irons Of Hampton,
Sheriff. Of Petersburg Lyons Of Poca-
hOntas, and HOge of Stanton. Several
of the physical directors and assistants
are also expected 10 be present. state
Secretary l.. \. Coulter and Assistant w.
Is. Walker are also members of the con-
ference, and the following gentlemen
have been invited to participate in the
deliberations: John b. Sleeman. Jr. gem
eral secretary at Washington, d. c.,
where the association has recently pur-
chased the Columbian Athletic Club pro-
perty and is now housed in magnificent
M for
elect Mr. Hugh Mcllhaney. Of stanton;
T. 2. Wood. general secretary Of Blue
field. W. Va; II. VI. Finch. general Sec
rotary at Handey. w. Va, and }. r.
Campbell. general secretary at Hinton,
W. Va.
VIRGINIA WORK SHOWS GAINS.
Virginia work has shown substantial
gains during the past year. and there
are now forty-seven associations in the
State-nineteen in cities and towns. twen-
ty-one i'm colleges. five in railroad CEN
tres. one mining. and one army-with
total membership Of 6.775. Ten Of these
associations conduct gymnasiums. TWEEN
ty-four conduct reaGing-rOoms. eight have
night educational classes. while the value
of buildings and furniture amounts 10
S266.OO0 All have religious meetings or
Bible classes.
state. as it should and now figures very
prominently among the associations OF
the country. The record Of the local assoc
citation for the past year has been a good
one The report submitted 10 the Board
Of Directors last week shows not only
substantial growth in educational. physi-
cal and religious work. but also growth
Of ~ per cent in membership during the
past four years. The membership Is now
between 925 and $50. The educational eX-
hibit made at Grand Rapids by the Rich
mond association was a most credltabie
one. and will be in position for the in
spection Of visitors during the conference.
RECEPTION FRIDAY EVENING.
The officers Of the conference are S. X.
Mckee. chairman. Richmond; c. c. Kent.
Jr. secretary and treasurer, Newport
News.
Friday night an informal reception will
be rendered the visitors and the commit
teemen Of the Richmond association.
Among the speakers expected for this
occasion are State Secretary l. a. Coul-
ter; Hugh McIlhaney. of Staunton: G. NJ.
Smith. college secretary; r. NJ. Smith,
president of the Richmond association,
r. C.. Digs. chairman of the Religious
Work Committee; J. p. Stubs. Ports
mouth. and c. G. Kent. Jr., of Newport
News. Arrangements for the Friday
night social have been referred by the
committee to the general secretary Of
the Richmond association. with full pow
er TO act.
The conference will prove a great bless
ing. as 1t gives an opportunity for tho
rough study and discussion of methods,
as well as for profitable fellowship
The conference will be opened at 9l5
Thursday morning with a praise and
prayer service. conducted by the chair
man.