Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-02

TO the moral forces or the District OF Co
lumbia Ia Mr. Pierce, who now begins his
service as genera, secretary of this asso-
cation. Rightly viewed, his coming Is
more important than that of many man
whom the world calls great. He is a man
of wealth, though not in money; he is
man of power, though not in politics: in
one word. he is man Of God, with all that
that noble title implies of devotion and
helpfulness. TO the nineteen hundred men,
berS of this association to The 10000 young
men of the District of Columbia h coming
is momentous, for it's influence may be felt
eventually in the lives of all of them, and
1t is certain to co them nothing but good.
He comes to us after long experience and
great success iii association work He
heard the call of God above all the voices
of this world, ard, laying aside everything
else, he has given his life to the service
of young men. He has been richly reward
ed by gathering many men to the standard
and helping them to become good soldiers
Of Jesus Christ. His Sunday afternoon
mems meeting at Trenton, which on one
day had an attendance of 1890 men, $50
OF whom became Christians, illustrates his
success. He comes to only because he
believes his work in Trenton done, and in
spite of Trelton's offer of a larger salary
than can pay. He comes with knightly de-
terminate to avoid the tents of ease and
march to greater victories. He is a worthy
successor of our own Mr. Sleman. and We
welcome him with deep sympathy and high
expectation.
The Officers Welcome.
Mr.. S. W. Woodward was then presented
by Mr.. Macfarland, and briefly voiced the
welcome of the officers of the association
to Mr.. Pierce. He assured Mr.. Pierce OF
the earnest cooperation of the officers and
membership of the association in the work
about to be undertaken.
I'VE have in the association" he said,
"a few men who l am glad to call the old
guard; men who have stood by the asso-
citation in the gloomy and unpromising
days as we'll as in the days Of prosperity.
To these we have added in these later years
many hundred young men, eager and will
ing to bear their part in the work; and.
then, in the third place, there are 10000
young men in our city, every one of whom
is eligible to enlistment in this service.
We cordially welcome you to this great
work"
DR.. Merrill E. Gates who welcomed Mr..
Pierce on behalf of the board of managers.
said the board held in trust for the young
| men of the city a great work and a great
property. The board was glad to greet
Mr. Pierce as the executive officer Of this
enterprise. because it believes he is wise
and discreet, as well as energetic and un-
selfish. DR.. Gates spoke of the marvellous
possibilities Of work among the young men
who We're In the formative period of their
lives-the period when character is formed
and in many cases destiny fixed. DIR. Gates
spoke in terms of the highest appreciation
of the achievements Of Mr. Pierce in his
expressed to Mr.. Pierce the wish of every
member of the board that he should have
the fullness of joy and success in his new
| work which would succeed as he depended
on Christian truth and life and love rather
| than the mere strength Of organization.
On Behalf of Membership.
| Mr.. Charles f. Nesbit welcomed Mr.. Pierce
| on behalf of the membership of the asso-
| citation He made hit in telling of the
| incidents which TRANSFERRED during the Pc
| rod when the association was considering
| the question Of a new secretary. Mr.. Mes
| bit who was chairman of the committee
| having the matter in charge, said that it
| became evident to the committee early in
| it's work that Mr.. Pierce was the man it
| wanted, and 1t lost time in telling him
| so. To get him was more difficult mat
| ter, for the Trenton association had no in
| tention of giving him up. But this had
| been accomplished much to the satisfaction
! of the membership of the Washington as
| scciation.
Messrs ]. D. McFall and w. D. McFar-
land sang a duet. Excelsior" and respond
ed to an encore with "Estudiantina."
Representing the Churches.
| Rev. ]. G. Butler. DID,. was introduced
| by Mr.. Mcfarland as the senior pastor of
the city. In welcoming Mr.. Pierce on be-
! half of the churches in the city, DR.. Butler
| said he believed that in no city in the land
| was there larger spirit of fraternity and
harmony among the churches I'VE hardly
| know sometimes" he said, where we be-
| long, denoninationally."
| Rev. L. B. Wilson, DID,, who also spoke
| on behalf of the churches. said there
| seemed to be at the opening of the new
century spirit Of expectancy. Men seemed
| to be looking for larger and better things
! and he believed that the time was not far
| distant when we should cease to strive for
| little things and set our hearts on greater
| things There could be no greater ambi
| ton in the churches Of the city and the
| association than to win the young manhood
OF this city for Jesus Christ. He assured
Mr.. Pierce that the churches would stand
by him and hold up his hands in his i'm
portant position of leadership.
Business and Professional Interests.
Mr.. Harry S. Richardson rendered violir
solo. which was much appreciated. ant
then Mr.. B. H. Warner spoke welcome OF
behalf Of the business and professional in
tsrssts. He said that he had been mann