Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-02
Y. M. c. A. CORNER
STONE LAID.
Preliminary Exercises at Court
Street Baptist Church.
MASONIC EXERCISES HELD.
The Address of the Occasion Delivered by
DIR. Battle. of Petersburg He Talked OF
the Dangers Threatening Young Men
and of the Noble Work Done by the Y.
NJ. c. A. In tho Saving of Souls What
the Corner Stone Contains.

Mems Christian Association was laid
yesterday afternoon with impressive
Masonic ceremonies.
Preliminary exercises. presided over
by President Frank l.. Croker were
held in the Court Street Baptist
Church, which was we'll filed with spec
tntors. The singing, which was n
striking feature of the ceremonies was
led by the united church choirs, of
about so voices.
The opening service consisted of the
hymn Come Thou Almighty King"
reading of scripture bv the Rev. r. b.
Eggleston and prayer by the Rev. u.
>. Farland. Then came an address by
the Rev. H. w. Battle, d. D., pastor
of the First Baptist Church. OF Peters
burg. who was introduced by the Rev.
DR.. w. +. Fisher, pastor of the Fourth
Street Baptist Church. DR.. Battle
spoke with eloQuence Of having be-
THE Dangers Which Assail Young
Men" The young man of our day is
most interesting character, he said.
The young fellow of normal tendencies
is strong for the accomplishment of
great good and of equally great evil.
AS he stands on the threshold of life
there is an element of uncertainty
which calls for the utmost watchfui-
ness and care from those who are shap-
ing his character upon the highest
plane of morality and honor.
DR.. Battle drew a striking picture of
the home life, where parents endeavor
to implant in the sons the wisdom de-
rived of their own experience fondly
Imagining them to be safe from peril
| But the young men are not safe. So
ciety is becoming them. They cannot
remain always at home. 1t is when
launched upon life on his own account,
free perhaps from the restricting int1u-
ence of the home circle, that he most
needs sympathy and announcement In
the direction of good. to be protected,
to be given help in all such ways as we
can give IT.
young men freed from temptation en-
| tirely 1t added to the stability of
| human character. He would rather
have mems minds instructed, their
! body developed, the qualities of his soul
and nature exercised, his sensbilities
| awakened.
DIR. Battle showed how nobly this
task was fulfilled by the Y. NJ. c. a.
The friends of this movement, he
said. Will admit that the holy church
| is back of the association. The asso-
citation Is the result of religious evolu
| ton. When, therefore, there is appar
ent and lessening of the bond between
| church and association; If the associa-
| ton loses sight of the supreme object
Ohe saving of souls). and the gymna-
| stun or classroom become the chief
interest, IL Is tlinc OIL DlunQer. lie
! said:
I'VE must foster and sustain the as
| ISOLATION for the honor of God and the
| good of humanity"
| AT the conclusion of DR.. Battles adj
| dress the exercises We're adjourned to
| the association building in High street
| n procession was formed, consisting of
| the Seaboard Air Line Band and Ports
| mouth Commandry *. T., escorting the
| Marsolc Blue Lodge. the choir and
| clergypen who participated in the SER
vices, In this formation the partici-
pants moved from the church to the
| association building. Eminent Com
mander Maynard and other officers of
| Grice Commandry united with Ports
mouth Commandry.
Threatening weather did not prevent
large crowd assembling TO witness
the impressive Masonic ceremonies in
cident to the placing of the corner
stone in position. The stone is square
granite block. the top OF which was
hoilowed out TO receive n box of docu-
ments. Among the contents of this box
were Bible, the constitution and by
laws of the association, list of mem
DerS and contributors, names of build
Ing committee, officers and directors
program of ceremonies, copy Of Men. :"
the association organ: list of Ports
mouths churches and pastors. Column
bia half dollar, copies Portsmouth
Star. Virginian- Pilot. Landmark md
Ledger. association printed matter and
reports, list of officers Naval Lodge No
100.. w.