New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-03
brooklyn YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION.

ASSOCIATION
The Anniversary Meeting of this Association was
held last evening in the Plymouth Church. There
was a very large and attentive audience The exer.
cises began with voluntary on the organ after
which the second chapter OF the book of Proverbs
was read and solemn and appropriate prayer pro.
noupced. The President of the Association then
read the annual report, which contains very in
terespg particulars respecting its origin and progress.
II originate in the month of June, 1853, by con-
vention Of some 300 young men, principally connect
ed with several evangelical denominations in Brook
Ign. The result of that meeting the regular or.
gaDization OF the present body. They began with
207 members. The reading rooms now stocked
with q select variety of valuable reading matter COM
prisiDg 81 daily and weekly issues, 81 monthly maga-
Zines, and quarterly reviews-total, 73-tOgether
with many maps OF reference. The rooms are open
20 all young men who wish TO become members The
library is yet small, containing only 1927 volumes, the
donations of members but it is expected soon to n-
crease il TO at least / coo volumes. The So
ciety at present numbers 702 members, of whom
4t9 active members, l79 associate men,
bers, A counseling members, and 80 life mem
bers, each of whom pays $50. Tho regular
meetings ore held on every second Tuesday of the
month, and they have been uniformly characterized
with the utmost harmony and good fellowship. The
report also states that there residing in Brooklyn
so 500 youths, between the ages OF and 10, of whom
there are but Is 960 attending the various Sabbath
Schools, leaving 5000 completely destitute of re
gous training. There are 90 Mission schools, with
an average number of attendants of Eel. The num-
Der of teachers is 1871. 1t appears that these useful
associations OF which the one in Brooklyn is but a
branch, are far more numerous and important than
the public generally aware. The first Young
Mems Christian Association established in Lon
don, on the 9Th of June, 1874, by a young man con-
nected with commercial house, in that city. There
are IS branches throughout the entire kingdom.
In Germany, they established in lsi7, where
there are 100 distinct associations comprising 5000
members. In Holland, there are 4; in France, 80;
in Algiers, /; at Geneva, /; in Switzerland, 90; in
Australia, l. in COrstantnope, /; in Beyroot Syria,
/; On The shores Of Africa / in Sweden, 4 in the
United States 3s-making total of 24s spread over
the globe. 1t to be regretted that the Association
in Brooklyn is in debt to the amount of 5000 10 con-
sequence Of the expenses attending their reading
room. TIE original sum charged for admission was
but one dollar annually for the future II will be two
dollars The report ends with brief exposition of
the character of the society, which is simply the pro
motion of the intellectual and spiritual Improvement
of Young men. At the conclusion OF the report,
the meeting was addressed by +. A. Lane, Esq
who described, at considerable length, the grndua
progress of the human mind from infancy to Old
age and the fixed laws and principles by which 1t Is
developed and regulated. He dwelt upon the nature
of ambition; its effect upon the char OF man, and
the necessity of its being controlled. Euergy, too,
he said was essential TO mans welfare, but that was
sure to degenerate into cold and callous sefshness,
unless guarded by the spirit OF religion. The aim OF
their Society was to make young men enjoy life OF
purity tranquility and love, and to obtain the true
stng after which the Rev. DIR. BETHUSE was intro
duced, and delivered an address Astounding 10 wit
and useful instruction. He said that he was just
minded that not long ago he was made a member of
this Young Mems Association for which tribute Of
their regard he was thankful. He also understood
from their report that by young men, they meant &C.
tive men, whether they were 20 or so. lie could say
that he was with the last number but he could not be
SO on tie next anniversary. On most subjects intro
duced TO the public there was necessity for inquiry,
for demonstration, for refuation, in order to render
them pleasing tolerabe to an audience but on the
present subject there vas no pecessiyfor any such
course for there was no one who could withhold his
appreciation from the objects OF the Association. Ii
was one in which they were deeply Interested mas
much az il had the welfare of the young men OF this
CITY at heart. They all thought TOO little OF Brook
yn Tier thou we're not sufficiently centered lit.
The majority of its people were too much absorbed
with the cares OF New ork and too much attracted
by its seductive pleasures. The people OF Brooklyn
should recollect that they were there placed by
Providence as members society and responsible for
all the duties OfctiZeDs. They voted there they prayed
there there fameswere there, and their future hopes
were there. Why, therefore, should they not give 1t
more of their attention They ought not TO forget
The admirable facilities afforded by Brooklyn for
economic living facilities which were not to be found
in New York nor in any Of the other suburbs. He con-
sidered that it was privilege for young men to have
such city 10 reside in. Nowhere on the earth Is
there SO little open or secret immortality. They
loved comparative freedom from temptation, aud
their moral Improvement was hardly equaled any
where But they had much work sun 20 90, ana tney
shonN avail themselves Of all the auxiliary agencies
CAPABLE of promoting their object. The speaker next
slludtd 10 the dangers which surrounded young men,
and the necessity Of experience derived from history,
teachers and companions This Association was ca
pable of accomplishing great good, and If properly
managed, would lay the foundations oil virtue ana
happiness in the youthful generation.
AZ the conclusion Of DR.. Bethunes address, COL
lection was taken up in aid of the funds oft society
The Rev HENRY WARD BEEcHER next addressed
A. ,,en.;ng He said be believed that II was al or
Ersnce of God that children should be born in the
Srn;iv and that they should remain in the household
nJey iher parents yes and subject 70 parental in
sSrces until the cares Of life induced their separa-
,;"u bere was wide difference between life 10 the
ot AID in the country, and il right thst young
80 ~. should remain in their homes and learn the
s,; and Occupations of life under the guidance OF
-; ,tbers and mothers. There is no state OF So
80, Slicb approaches so near perfection as the
Ee';v and the Christian household. Cities are
lI.nn35.ber artificial and those who dwell 10
I'us s,e brought into relations entirely OIL
Sarart from those in which they womb ps
Iaa rnSer other circumstances. IL is wondertGl
l,bs, does become of all the people porn IA CUES
REV LAWYER. every doctor, every msrcuau' VI eS.
,;rct;op every man who had acquired c1aIae.s s
Co. rns r,ness was born in the country tns .1SI va
,bst ali the talent Of the city was impor1e. I'm
CO.. Dtrv But II should be recoleciea .la1 asaos
tbe ciiy afford spheres of acton Tor eSet5
ability ard energy It also presented man, con.
tsnos II seyered the Young man from his isnl! oo
nectior. and before he was able 10 oeeome II tbs
HE and act for himself, be was dePr.eu =. - ,hs
comtorts restraints and salutary innuehee, " -.
k.,~oLoId pa-;ls attend the course Of al Y"~A-