The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-02
GWEN A CORDIAL WELCOME.
Reception to the New General Secre-
tnry of the y. VI. c. A.


New Year Day was yesterday fttingly
observed by the Young Mems Christian
Association at its home on G Street, be-
tween Seventeenth and Eighteenth
Streets. A reception was held during the
day from 3 10 Z p. IN. In the evening,
beginning at s o'clock. the gymnasium
room was converted into a hall. where a
warm welcome was extended to the new
general secretary of the association, Ly-
man L. Pierce. An excellent programme
had been arranged and it was thoroughly
appreciated by an audience that occupied
every inch of space in the large room.
District Commissioner Mcfarland pre-
sided. The programme opened with
cOrnet solo by DR.. f. A. Swartwout. which
was loudly applauded. When quiz. had
been restored Commissioner Mactarland
stepped forward and said:
No celebrate tonight, this first night
OF the twentieth century, notable ac-
cession to the moral forces of the District
OF Columbia in Mr. Pierce, who now be-
gins his service as general secretary OF
this association. Rightly viewed, his
coming is more important than that Of
many a man. whom the world calls great
He is a man of wealth. though not in
money: he is man OF power though not
n politics; in one word he is man of
God, with all that that noble title implies
OF devotion and helpfulness. To the nine
teen hundred members of this association.
to the forty thousand young men OF the
District of Columbia his coming is mo-
mentous, for its influence may be felt
eventually in the lives of all of them, and
it Is certain to do them nothing but good.
He comes to us after long experience
and great success in association work. He
heard the call of God above all the voices
of this world, and laying aside everything
else. he has given his life to the service
of young men. He has been richly re-
warded by gathering many men to the
standard and helping them to become good
soldiers of Jesus Christ. His Sunday af-
ternocn mems meeting at Trenton, which
on one day had an attendance of 1900
men, 130 of whom became Christians IL
lustrates his success. He comes to US only
because he believes his work in Trenton
done, and in spite of Trentons offer of a
larger salary than We can pay. He comes
with knightly determination to avoid the
tents of ease, and march to great vic
tories, He is worthy successor of our
own Mr.. Sleman, and we welcome him with
deep sympathy and high expectation"
AT the conclusion of his remarks which
elected generous applause. Mr.. Macfar-
land introduced s. W. Woodward, Presi-
dent of the Association who in a brief
speech welcomed General Secretary
Pierce on behalf of the officers of the
association. President Woodward intro
duced Morrill, E. Gates, who spoke for the
board of managers. assuring the General
Secretary that the board would be ever
ready to cooperate with him in aGvanc-
ing the good work of the association.
Charles II. NeSbit was next introduced
by Commissioner Macfarland. Mr. Nesbit
spoke for The members, and assured Mr.
Pierce that he could always depend on
them to carry out whatever work hH
might call on them to perform.
At this point in the programme Messrs.
W. d. Mcfarland and J. D. McFall sang
Excelsior" in such a way as to win an
encore.
The Rev. ]. G. Butler, D. D.. and the
Rev L. B. Wilson, ID. D., on behalf of the
churches of the city, extended the hand of
fellowship, and said the general secretary
could always count on the churches to as
sist in the work carried on by the asso-
citation.
A violin solo by Harry s Richardson |
was well received and literally applauded |
B. II. Warner, ex-President of the Young 4
Mems Christian Association, was then in |
troduced by Commissioner MacIariand |
Mr.. Warner told of his experience as |
president of the association and said ne |
thought that perhaps with one exception |
he was the oldest member in length of |
service in the association. He became a |
member In this city in 1863 He gave a |
brief review of the rise and progress OF |
the association. and promised Mr. Pierce |
that the business and professional inter |
ests of Washington, IN whose behalf he |
spoke, would stand by him in carrying On /
the work OF increasing the efficiency of /
the association.
The Rev. Samuel H Greene. Acting |
President of Columbian University. spoke |
for the educational institutions. He re-
ferred to his connection with the Young
Mems Christian Association qnd of the |
~" a7-o. 5-a "-4 the young
H"# .l ... folds. He