Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-16
WORK OF SALVATION.
PROGRESS MADE BY YOUNG MEMS
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
PRESIDENT SMITHS REPORT IN FULL
He Submitted IL mt the Association
Day Celebration Last Sunday-A
synopsis of the Work and Growth
of the Institution.

The first Of association days observed |
at Centenary Methodist church last Sun
day night was d decided success, the main |
auditorium Of that magnificent structure |
being crowded, and an unusually large |
number Of young men being present. !
After Mr.. r. VI. Smith. the president, |
had read his annual report, Rev. c. L. |
Hurlburt. OF the Pennsylvania Bible In |
stitute, delivered an intensely interesting |
and practical address upon the associa- |
ton work. taking for his text, That |
they might know Him." Within a few |
weeks a detailed report Of the years |
work will be published in the association |
spring handbook, Views"
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
All friends Of the work will rejoice that
everything is moving along so nicely, |
and that the work is being so richly !
| blessed President Smiths report follows:
Forty-nve years ago in the lecture-room
| Of ST. Pauis church band Of young men
! OF this city met 70 consider what they
could best DO in united capacity that
would be Of the most assistance TO their
| fellows and after prayerful discussion
! and consideration the Young Men ems
| tiln Association OF Richmond was or
/ ganizcd. It's growth and influence upon
| the Young men Of our city during tlese
! years has far surpassed the expectations
! Of its most sanguine friends. WINE TINS
! growth and development ia our own as
! ISOLATION has been going on, the Work
! has been spreading throughout the state.
/ nation, and the world, so that to-day
! there are 5.7GS associations In America,
! Europe, Asia, Africa, and other countries.
On. q f.rrY d.
! Of these associations are In North Amer
! lea, and have 1896 members working
| for and among city, railroad, college, COL
| Ored. and Indian young men. TWO hun
| dred and siXty-iive Of these associations
| are doing definite work for boys. one
| worldwide feature OF association Work
| is the Week Of Prayer, which ls observed
| in November OF each year. Many oL lne
| prominent religious movements OF the
! present day can be traced to the influence
Of the Young Mems Christian Association
| thus showing the practical value Of this
! work 10 the Church al large.
| Virginia has forty-sevcn associations
| located at city. college railroad, mining,
| and other points, with GN5 members.
Gospel meetings, Bible classes. socials,
lectures, night schools. reading-rooms,
and gymnasums are some Of the features
Of the work done by these associations.
SERVICES FOR THE SOLDIERS.
During the late Spanish-American war,
| under tho fostering care and supervision
/
! Young Mems Christian Associations,
about seventy tents were erected at the
different camps. More than 80 men
| among them some Of the most prominent
! Christian workers in this cOLntry-gaNe
time and service 10 this great work. and
Ia some cases their lives for the 10000
young men I'm the army and navy Of our
| country. The religious meetings held IN
these tents We're largely attended; the
privileges extended our soldiers were free
ly used; hundreds Of thousands Of letters
were written and thousands of Bibles and
/ Icstaments were distributed among the
soldiers. Under the direction of the Nir-
g.uia State Executive Committee, special
work was done among the volunteers at
the different camps in our state. This
work, with its far-reaching results, IS nov
being carried on in Porto Rico, Cuba and
the Philippines.
January 2lst closed the fiscal year Of tine
Richmond Association. ana was without
| doubt the best in Its history. our build
Ing is an ornament 70 the city. and with
its bright lights, warm welcome home
| Ike atmosphere, and numerous attrac-
/ tens extends cordial invitation to al
seH-lespectlhS J. en- ana BOYS, from
VI. 10 1890 Z. NJ on week days and
2:5O L. VI. TO =. VI. on Sundays
THE SOCIAL FEATURES.
The social features of our association
| are very interesting. Many young man
has been prevented from going into sin
by the helpful companiOnship and clean
surroundings found I'm this young mems
home. 1t is a delightful thing 20 see the
young men participating IN the many
social advantages the association offers.
Before the building Is closed at night
short service of prayer IS held in the
parlor. 70 which all who desire can re-
main.
During the year there have been many
Interesting and instructive entertain
ments, including the Star Course and
Members Course The association Is in
detted 10 the various committees who
q f4fnf I... Hfsrfrn M
and who have done 50 much TO make
| them successful
one Of the most popular attractions is
the gymnasium. under the intelligent and
! enthusiastic supervision Of Mr.. j. VI. era
ham. physical director. The attendance
is larger than ever before. Special at
tention Is given 10 individual exercise ana
measurement. Business and professional
men who are confined great deal in
their offices will md this feature Of our
work a great help TO their physical condi-
ton.
our baths. which are hrst-class in every
respect, are largely used The athletic
field located I'm the rear OF our building
affords an opportunity for outdoor eXcr-
else. At night il is lighted by electricity
and IS quite an attraction.
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
The educational department Of the as
Few realize the good practical work be-
ing done along this line. In the senior
| classes are taught arithmetic bQOk-keep-
| ing. commercial law. electricity. mcchani-
cal drawing, penm2nslip spelling, steno-
| graphy. sign writing telegraphy. vocal
| music, advanced bookkeeping, and Eng
/ lish, with an enrolment Of l92. Arithme-
! tie. grammar. penmanship, and spelling
/ are taught ina the junior classes. which
| have an enrolment Of S. All educational
| classes are under the direction of cOmpa-
tent and faithful teachers. In addition 10
these educational advantages might be
| mentioned our reading-rooms with Sc
| lected periodicals and magazines, the
| library, as well as our literary society,
known as the Senate. Work is still be-
ing conducted at the Medical College Of
Virginia and University College OF Medi-
cine under the auspices Of the associa-
| ton
Our membership on January 81. 1899
was 9l3. as compared with 81 last year.
or a net gain OF 81. We are largely in
debted for this Increase in membership
10 our young men who participated so
| faithfully I'm the members contest. The
| present membership fees pay about g. per
cent. Of the annual current expenses Of
the work. The balance IS contributed by
the citizens Of Richmond.
CHANGES IN EXECUTIVE FORCE.
There have been some changes in the
| executive force since our last report. Mr..
! +. II. Merrill. physical director. was sue
| Ceeded by Mr.. j. II. Graham; Mr.. J. p.
! Stubs, assistant secretary, was sue
ceeded by Mr.. G.. II. Hamilton. who was
! succeeded az second assistant by Mr.. y.
l. Morris. All Of these gentlemen are
| competent successors. and arc faithful in
the discharge OF their several duties II