THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION.
RIPLEY, like most towns of its size, possessed few novelties, and rarely
produced a sensation. It did its duty in the way of gossip, as towns and
villages are expected to do. Carrying out, in a manner peculiar to some,
the injunction of the apostle: "Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others." When the Rev. John Jay was
called to the Fourth street church, the whole town partook of the
excitement, for he was a young and single man; moreover, he came from a
distant city, with the strongest recommendation. He had been there about
a year, when the community were again aroused to a high pitch of
expectancy, by the following announcement one Sabbath morning: "The
Official Board of this church will hold a special meeting at the close
of the Wednesday night prayer meeting. A full attendance is requested as
a matter of grave moment is to be presented."
As the minister made this announcement, he fervently wished they would
always attend to business after prayer-meeting. He would not then have
to refer so often to that means of grace, for the Fourth street brethren
looked well to the temporal interests of their church.
He did not see the nod given by brother Smith to brother Snowden, which
said:--"I told you it was a comin'; now you'll believe me;" nor the
succession of nods in return, which indicated:--"Well, to think of it.
After that I give up." Neither did he overtake the group of officials
who slowly wended their way homeward in earnest discussion, shaking
their heads, and trying to give greater force to their words by an
energetic movement of the hand and arm.
He was picking his steps as best he could through a crowd of children,
who were darting here and there, looking up at him with beaming eyes,
and trying to touch his hands at least, if they could not hold them. As
he looked at these lambs, he wondered if there could be love for the
Saviour in any heart which did not make the young a special care. After
he had parted from them, two little feet came tripping back to remind
him of his promise that he would finish the story of Moses in the
afternoon. He went home thanking God for the innocence of childhood,
while with their noon-day meal many of of these children partook of
poison administered by their parents. For what else is fault-finding,
intolerance and uncharitableness, but the deadliest poison?
And what gave rise to this, was simply that the young people of the
church and community wanted to organize a Young People's Association, at
the suggestion of their pastor, and wished the privilege of holding it
in the Lecture-room. The thing was projected so suddenly, that very few
of the older members knew anything about it until it was brought to
their notice in this manner.
When the hour for the evening service arrived, there were few who had
not heard the news; for brother Smith and brother Snowden considered it
a good Sabbath day's work to discuss the matter in all its bearings with
all the members they could meet, although they did not doubt but the
women folks would be sure to side with the young people.
On Wednesday night the Lecture-room was crowded. Those whose faces were
seldom seen in the Lord's house, and many of the brethren who always
found it extremely inconvenient to attend on that night, were there. Of
course, none but the Board could remain, for the meeting, but the others
could hover round and catch the news much sooner than if they had staid
at home.
The Rev. John Jay drew very near to Christ in presenting his flock, and
most earnestly prayed for the young of the congregation and community,
many of whom he saw there for the first time. As he prayed, brother
Smith and Snowden were loud in their responses.
Those who went to meet the master of assemblies, felt it good to be
there. Unto them had been broken the bread of life. Unto them a
well-known voice had spoken, and now they were stronger, braver and more
hopeful. When the minister, with uplifted hands, pronounced the words of
the benediction, like the gentle dew, fell that peace into their
hearts, drawing them out in tenderest sympathy toward all His creatures.
After it had been ascertained that there were no intruders, and the
doors had been carefully closed, the business commenced. Prayer was
dispensed with, for there had been so much of it before.
"I move we dispense with everything but the business in hand," said one,
and as the meeting concurred, the petition was presented by one of the
most promising young men of the church, named Hayes. In it the
petitioners set forth that they, feeling the need of proper social
entertainment and mental improvement, wished to organize for that
purpose, and most respectfully asked the use of the Lecture-room.
The secretary had no sooner uttered the last sentence, than brother
Smith arose and protested against any such desecration of the Lord's
temple.
"Social entertainment! What did that mean, but a parcel of boys and
girls without a speck of grace in their hearts, wantin' a good
courtin'-place where their father's and mother's wouldn't see them. For
his part, no child of his should join them.
"There's carryin's on enough under our very noses, in the hearin' of the
word without givin' any more license," he continued, waxing warmer.
"That's so," said brother Snowden, and one or two others grunted an
assent.
Then the young man named Hayes arose and calmly said: "It is well known
that the young seek enjoyment. Their minds are fresh and active; they
will turn in one direction or another. We cannot control them; we can
only seek to guide them. Many of our young are going to ruin, because
there are no well directed efforts put forth to meet the wants of their
impulsive natures. The world offers to gratify them. It stretches out
its arms and says: 'Come to me. I have pleasures for all at my command.'
And already many have turned and accepted the proffered good. We
Christians groan over these and talk of their final doom; yet what do we
offer those, whose eager, hungry natures cry out to us for bread?
"We say, 'Go to church on the Sabbath, and to prayer-meeting; that is
well; but they want more than this and so do we. That will do for the
spiritual part of our nature. But there is a social and intellectual
part which must be cared for. And let me tell you, brethren, until the
church makes provision for every want of the young, it can never gain a
proper hold upon them.
"It is not for me to stand here as the teacher of those older and wiser
than I. But it seems to me if we had the Apostle Paul here, he would
define our duty in broader and more decided terms. And still a greater
than Paul says: 'What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread
will he give him a stone?' That question applies to every want of the
being. How are you going to answer it to-night? I charge you not to
close your doors upon those who knock, lest, if the gate of heaven
closes upon them, you be found not guiltless."
These pointed words evidently made a good impression, and the opposition
had not courage to oppose farther. Several of the brethren, men whose
hearts were under divine control, and whose lives were devoted to the
advancement of the Master's cause, in a few words endorsed the remarks,
and when the question was called for, there was but one side, the
opposition not voting.
When the young people were called together, there was quite a large
gathering. Rev. John Jay was unanimously elected President, and Mr.
Hayes, Secretary. But now the great difficulty was, to obtain members.
All at once, these young men and women, the latter especially, became
conscious of their ignorance, and dreaded its exposure, for the public
Library of Ripley, was not very extensive or attractive. Its old volumes
of Theology, its Annals and Histories, had been too heavy matter for
youthful digestion, and as a majority of the young women did not
consider it necessary to know anything of the affairs of the nation, or
to possess any knowledge of the world outside of their own town, they
had been content to glean from the newspapers, to note the deaths and
marriages, watch for some new recipe in cookery, or the love-stories as
they appeared each week.
After a great deal of difficulty, twenty signatures were obtained, with
the understanding that the young ladies in preparing their essays, were
not expected to read them or make public their names. Every thing at
first, until the members acquired more confidence, was to be voluntary.
After the business of the evening had been transacted, a call was made
for contributions.
This was at once responded to by the principal clerk in the principal
grocery store, he giving them in loud and thundering tones: "The Star
Spangled Banner." So grandly did he render it, especially the "bombs
bursting in air," that one young lady covered her face to shut out the
view of the descending bombs, and the President was compelled to move
aside, to prevent, if not the deadly missiles, the bodily weight of the
speaker from descending upon him.
Loud applause greeted him at its conclusion, and but for the hint given
by the President that it was time to close, they would have been favored
with another brilliant display. The general opinion expressed by those
having any knowledge of theatricals was, that it was "almost as good as
a play," and the orator of the evening was overwhelmed with compliments.
After this, there was little difficulty in obtaining members; indeed the
young clerk the very next day succeeded in getting fifteen, so that by
the following meeting night, there was a large and expectant assemblage.
The young grocer held forth of course, and several others were so
stirred with patriotism that Fourth of July orations and patriotic
speeches followed each other in close succession. With a great deal of
persuasion, a few ladies were prevailed upon to sing, and thinking the
music should correspond with the addresses, they were about to give Hail
Columbia, when the President suggested that something else by way of
variety would be acceptable to the audience.
"The Old Arm Chair" was substituted and gave general satisfaction. Even
old brother Sneddinly, who with a few others was at a side door
listening, declared that anything that brought the Bible into it, must
have been written by a Christian; and if it wasn't in the Hymn Book, it
went pretty near as slow and solemn as some of the hymns. The latter
assertion could not be contradicted by his companions, and they even
went so far as to congratulate the pastor on his success in getting up
"so big an affair." "Suppose you add still further to its success by
your presence and assistance," he suggested with a smile; "we need some
wise and clear heads among us."
But that thought could not be entertained for a moment by the brethren.
"How would it look for them to be mixing in with a parcel of young
folks, most of whom made no show whatever of religion? O no, that would
be too great a compromise! There ought to be a strict line drawn
between the world and Christians."
"Isn't there danger of drawing it so tight that we will cut them off
from us entirely?" asked the pastor.
"No fear of that," was the reply, "if it is held tight at one end, the
other end will be loose enough to slip them through."
"Thank God," said the Rev. John Jay, mentally; "there shall be no
tightening or straining at this end!"
The Association soon became the all-absorbing topic of the place. The
young people discussed it, and the old people discussed it. It was
destined to become a grand success, the Rev. John Jay thought, as he saw
denominational prejudices give way and the young people of the different
churches unite to help one another and be helped. Yet there was one
drawback; some of those for whom he was most anxious, whose feet had
begun to travel the downward road; the children of those who professed
to be God's children, were never seen there. His soul was troubled. He
knew at whose door the fault lay, yet what could he do? He was young and
inexperienced. These men and women, parents of the prodigal ones were
older than he. Should he show them the fearful mistake they were making
in condemning everything that was not purely a religious worship? Should
he tell them by reason of their sternness and their narrow prejudices,
which seemed more to them than the souls of their children, they were
driving their children away from them and from God? Would they bear this
from him, even though as Christ's ambassador he were to speak? He was
exceedingly doubtful; perhaps they might dismiss him. Wouldn't it be
better for him to remain and watch over these wayward ones, showing
them that he knew the weakness of human nature and the unquenchable
ardor of youth? He concluded to try it. He would make that his one great
work; he would win them to Christ. With a heart somewhat lightened, he
gave himself out more fully in loving words to the young, and entered
more earnestly into every plan suggested to make the association an
attraction. But just as he was seeing the good results here, in another
direction the storm was gathering. He saw it in the black looks and
averted eyes of many of the officials and even of their wives, but as
yet its mutterings had not reached his ear.
Some to whom he had endeared himself heard, and were fiercely indignant
that such a sweet, Christ-like spirit, as their pastor's, should suffer
pain through such allusions.
Just the very thing he had labored to accomplish, was that which was to
testify against him. Many young hearts had been drawn nearer to Christ
through him, and their voices were heard in the songs of praise which
went up from that little prayer-circle on Wednesday night. But these
pious men and women, although rarely ever present themselves, saw
nothing in which to rejoice. On the contrary, they mourned over the
weakness of one, who by virtue of his sacred office, should be far
removed from such things. Wasn't it too evident that the young women
went to church to see the young pastor, and the young men to see the
young women? It was time such things were stopped; they were a shame and
disgrace to a church.
In the meantime the society was flourishing, a new element had been
brought into it, and so far as its literary character was concerned, the
most sanguine expectations of the Rev. John Jay had been met.
Several public meetings had been held, filling the house to overflowing,
and eliciting the highest and most deserving praise. But that was of
course from outsiders, and those simple-minded souls in the church, who
never see evil without looking for good; who indeed are always finding
the latter in everything and in every one but themselves. These were not
competent judges. "Had the church been left to them, where would have
been its sacredness and sanctity? Why, they never even changed their
voices in the Lord's house, and they even wore a smile while there, as
if they had forgotten the Lord was in his holy temple."
Thank God, there are those who carry His image about wherever they go!
Such need not by their own effort show a conscienceness of His presence.
He is the continual light of their countenance, and the gladness and
music he makes in their hearts, is heard in their voice. They worship
and praise with every breath, because their souls must find an outlet to
the great love which holds them.
[Illustration: Decoration]