Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-16

letter"
Readiness to serve and absolute devo-
ton to the service. he declared. have
been the chief characteristics OF Mr..
Woodward's service for the association.
And II Mr.. Woodward wants monument.
he continued, let him look around him
at the work Of the local association.
Speaking Of the growth of the organi-
zation in the past ten years. he declared
that the man who took the heim ten
years ago and had directed the boat since
has shown administrative ability, v1gor
and persistent energy.
Mr.. Woodward would be the last man
in the room to say he did all TINS. ano
he won't believe us when We tell hlm II
is his work. But we take joy In telling
"And when Mr.. Woodward tries to give
the credit to others who have worked
with him. he concluded, he must re-
member that their work would probably
not have been done had not they had
proper leader
Gift of $40, 900 Announced.
The audience was aroused to the great
est enthusiasm by the announcement
made by John B. Sleman. jr.. that a gift
Of $4,000 has been promised to the as
ISOLATION by Thomas w. Smith. That
amount. he explained, has been expended
by the association IN remodeling the boys
building at 1882 G street.
As a result Of the work. a new floor of
dOrmftories has been added to the build
ing, which nets an annual income to the
association of $500. 1t was proposed
that II citizen of the District would
give the $4,000 the income Of $500 from
the dormitory rooms would be regarded
as a permanent endowment for the work
Of the boys department
Il want to thank you. Mr.. Smith, said
Mr.. Sleman to the donor. who sat at the
head table. I'm behalf not only of the
boys who are now members of the as
ISOLATION. but also of the thousands who
will be members in the future
AS a part of the decennial celebration.
Mr.. Sleman explained. an effort has been
made to wipe out the Indebtedness of
the association. amounting to $4,000. OF
that amount. Mr. Sleman stated. over
$4,000 has been raised.
Taft's Letter Of Regret.
Only one of many letters Of regret was
read at the banquet. That was written
by the man who will soon be inaugu-
rated President of the United States
William Howard Taft.
Il congratulate you says Judge Taft
to Mr.. Woodward. Ion the great work
you have done in promoting and extend
ing Ing the usefulness of the Young Mems
Christian Association of the city of
Washington. I know the benefit of the
work, and 1 have never rendered con-
ordinations more earnest and sincere
DR.. Greene declared that the pastors
and church people of the city felt debt
of gratitude to Mr.. Woodward for the
work he has done for the Y. NJ. c. A. Mr..
Woodward. he declared. is beautiful ex-
ample of man. successful in business.
who has given Of his best to the service
of God and his fellow-men.
In a brief address Richard c. Morse
pointed out the responsibility Of the laity
OF the association in making 1t a success.
The guest of the evening. he declared, be-
longs to the elect of that class because
he is one of those who have done more
than their share for the association.
II want to express, In behalf of the
200 employed officers of the association
In North America, a gratitude which cam
not be put into words. and to say that 1t
men following your example. Mr.. Wood
ward. that the association can expect to
fulfill its mission as the young mems
brotherhood in North America
Mr.. Woodward Responds.
When Mr. Woodward was called upon to
respond he spoke with evident feeling
1T is impossible to find words to en-
press the feelings which overcome me On
this OCCASION he began. ITO say that |
appreciate. from the depths Of my heart
the presence Of each one of you and the
kind words which have been directed to
me, but feebly expresses what / feel
Whatever success has been achieved
by the Washington association, in the
last ten years. has been due, not to the
president, but to the faithfulness of the
chairmen of committees: the zeal and en-
thusiasm OF the large body of members
and to the loyalty and devotion of the
board of directors With board of d.
rectors. which, l believe, is the best as
ISOLATION board in the United States. the
noe tntf -l-
greater success with each succeeding year
The religious work is easily the
strongest feature of the associations &C
tivities, under the efficient leadership of
H. B. F. Mcfarland. The busiest man
in the city of Washington he never fails
to respond to the demands which the as
ISOLATION may make upon him. The pas
tors of the city have been specially cor
dial and helpful to the association and
have cheerfully accepted our invitation to
for this We are most grateful.
Business and professional men have
been most generous in the financial sup
port of our work. and l gladly take this
ment to them. / wish / could name all
the men who have given me support and
assistance during the past ten years. but
time forbids. l would not be true to my
self, however. If 1 did not mention one
name-the unpaid secretary of the asso-
citation.
I'VE have one among us. who Is not
even chairman OF committee, but whose
love for Christ and his church, his love
for the association and all that 1t means
for the life of young men in our city and
country, Is SO strong that no expenditure
of time and labor seems too great for him
to give to the support of the Washington
association. In season and out of season.
living with 1t by day and not deserving
1t by night. he has thrown himself into
this cause with a devotion and perse-
verance such as could not be exceeded
What can say more of John B. Sleman,
jr.?
THE Washington association could not
get along without him. The president
could not and does not want to get along
without him. He has been my right-hand
and constant support during my ten years
of Office. I present him tonight to my
successor as the associations best and
strongest asset.
Il wish l could express the joy and
satisfaction which have come into my
own life as. in conjunction with the di-
rectors Of the Washington association
We have tried to keep open the doors of
an institution where the young men
away from home might be surrounded
by good influences and be led. If they
would. to the higher life.
Again and again l thank you. gentle
men, for your presence here tonight for
the gracious words which you have adj
dressed to me. and for the beautiful
tokens to which you have all contributed
written page. These tokens I shall
cherish as the most precious mementos
of my life in Washington, and as long
as life shall last shall keep a loving
place in my heart for each one of YOU
Rev. DR.. Samuel II. Woodrow. pastor of
the First CONGREGATIONAL Church I'M