The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-25

The second days session of the twenty
eighth annual convention OF the Young
Mems Christian Association was completed
last evening at the Foundry NJ Z. Church
Fourteenth and G Streets. where about 300
delegates and mon connected with the 10
cal branch Of the association gathered. An
illustrated Bible lessen by W. II. H. Smith,
of this city, was presented during the first
part Of the session in an interesting man
ner. The stereopticon views were well ar
ranged. and the lecture which accompanies
them was delivered by Mr. Smith.
The principal ana most interesting event
" the evening, however, was the lecture
On THE Young Men of Non-Christian
Lands by Harlan p. Beach. Secretary of
The volunteer student movement. Mr..
Beach spoke at length as to the charac
teristics of the young mer who live in
countries where the Christian religion is
not generally accepted.
Perhaps the noticeable characteristic of
these young men," he asid, lis the alb
normal development of their lower pas
sions and appetites They have a very
small sense OF right and wrong weak
will-power. and many have only a desire
for fame and profit. Even the better edu-
Gated classes are extremely skeptical re-
gardng the religion which they have been
taught by American and European mis-
sionaries. The sentiment in Brazil among
the young men," continued Mr. Beach.
lis to Initiate the Englishman's manners
and habits and some of their methods in
carrying out their desires are extremely
ludicrous."
The speaker dwelled upon this point at
some length in very entertaining way.
Nr. Beach said that a depraved Hindoo
prophet once told him that he was physic-
ally possessed Of the gods, explaining tha.
four had made their home in his stomach
Whereupon the missionary advised the
heather that he should go to the drug store
sround the corner and take an emetic
In some parts of Asia" said Mr.. Beach.
many peculiar things are to be seen and
heard among the people who are stanch be-
levers in the transmigration OF souls
theory. There 1t is very easy for man TO
be his own grandmother. his own wife or
his own niece. IT is earnestly believed
among certain men whose grandmcthars
are dead that their souls have been pre-
served especially for them and handed
down because they are virtuous or honest
The soul Of a donkey, an elephant. or
mosquito can as readily. they are con-
WINGED. be placed in the body of a new
born babe
The speaker told several stories showing
the cause and effect of this belief. At the
conclusion of his lecture Mr.. Beach ex- |
plained that there are today Is 200 900 |
young men in distant lands who are in |
great need of religious training, and he l
made strong appeal to those assembled |
TO assist as much as possible those who |
are now engaged in the work of educating |
The heather young man.
The Achievements and Outlook of the |
Railroad Department OF the Young Mems |
Christian Association was the subject Of |
q lecture delivered by George A. Warbur- |
ton. Y. N. c. A. Railroad Secretary of !
the New York City Branch. which imme- |
distely followed Mr.. Beach's lecture.
On large map Mr.. Warburton showed |
the location of the 15l railroad depart
rnents of the association, which are scat
tered over the country. AS yet a large
majority OF the railroad branches are To-
Gated in the Eastern part of the United
States. but the speaker explained that de-
partmenis were gradually being estab-
lished in the West. Those now being op-
Grated are in a fourishing condition. and
according TO Mr. warburton the railroad
officials generally are becoming more and
more appreeiatiye OF the effective work
done among the railroad employees. A
brief outline history of the railroad branch
operations since the first one was founded
was given by Mr.. Warburton
This morning a meeting for delegates
will be held at the association building.
Eighteenth and G Streets. and in the
afternoon mass meeting for men, a
meeting fer boys. and meeting for wo-
men will take place. In the evening a
lecture at the First Congregational Church
Is TO be given BY Merrill E. Gates. LII. d.,
former President OF Amherst College, on
he Worldwide Student Movement. The
'areweil exercises of the convention will
'olioy