The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-19
| YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIA TONS
THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS
A Sermon Preached bV Rev. Rufus
w. Clark, D. D., at the First Bap-
tIst Church, Broad and Arch
Streets, Last Evening.
ESPECIAL PHoNoaRAPWo REPORT FOR THE BvEr-
ING TRlEGRAPHl

.->oo>Dsso~evyy>oooD>~~~N~~
ESPECIAL PHoNoeRAPuIO REPORT FOR THE RvKE-
ING TBlEGRAPHl
At the request of the Philadelphia Young
Mems Christian Association, appear before
you tonight, to speak OF the origin and pro-
gress of the associations throughout our land.
You will ind my text recorded in the sixth
verse OF the 10th Psalm:-"He that goeth
forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him.
declaration been more fully verlned than In that
OF the Young Mems Christian Associations.
Although the public have but partially informed
in regard to the operations and sue
cesses of this great moral instrumentahty
and although much of the WORK mas been pri-
vately and quietly performed, and many of the
trains of influences set IN mol1)n cannot be
traced in all their various windlngs and sslntary
effects, yet as we survey the prominent fields in
which these young iaborers have wrought, We
behold harvests waving that Gil our hearts with
Joy and with gratitude to God. In tracing these
fruits to their germ, we find, accounting to one OF
the annual reports OF the London Association,
that twenty-five years ago, when the vast
maelstIom of the commercial lire of London
was drawing thousands witoin its dark and
rapid current q Christian young man in one of
the city establishments called together there
few friends to pray in hls room Ior strength TO
preserve themselves, and enable them by some
means to bring the ligh; OF Tito to their careless
u
this group, in prayer that God would raise up
some influence TO draw aWav young men from
the gloom in which they were slumbering, and
snatch them from the darkness INTO which
they we're rushing became, under His blessing,
the embryo of the Young Mems Christian
Association 1t led several who saw Ii, stimuli
taneously to ask if something could not be
done to introduce prayermeetings in other
houses.
On the 9th OF June, 1914, meeting was held
of the Christian friends and brethren to whom
this thought had Oeen communicated. A Com
mittee was formed, and rules embodying the
principles on which they were determined to
proceed, adopted. Circulars stating the objects
contemplated were sent to all the Christian
young men in the London houses of business
where names could be obtaiued; and in q few
weeks the Young Mems Christian ASSOCIATION
had an organization which could enter upon
effective operations. From this small beginning
similar associations have sprung up throughout
the Christian world. In the United States and
have been represented by delegates at our inter
national conventions. There are others, and
particularly at the South, with whom there has
recently been no official communication. Those
in our large Northern and Western cities are in
q vigorous and prosperous condition, and en-
brace, as accurately as | could ascertain, about
thirty thousand young men OF superior intell-
gence, of high Christian principle, of ardent
religious zeal, and great executive power.
This array Is gathered from the front ranks of
the Christian army OF Christ throughout our
land. IL embraces the superintendents, officers,
and teachers of our Sabbath Schools. Il en-
braces the young1men that sustain the PRAYER
meetings. 1t embraces those thousands from
among our Christian churches upon whom, in a
great measure, the hopes OF the American re-
public and the American Church in the future
depend.
In reviewing the achievements of the sssocia.
tions in the past, in order to gather stimulus
Tor enlarged plans and more vigorous efforts for
the future, would speak, in the first place, OF
the young men whose Christian activities have
been developed in the service of these organi-
cations.
All the last Convention, held in June OF this
year, in the city of Albany, siXty-three Associa-
tiops sent in reports OF their condition and OF
what, during the previous year, had been, by
the blessing OF God, accomplished. Fitty-fouY
OF these reported their membership and l find
that there were connected with these 1858
young men. Many of these have developed their
Christian activities. which without the fields for
action opened by these Associations would ero-
badly have remained dormant. Their plety has
been called into vigorous exercise. Their
talents, energy, and spirit OF perseverance have
been tested, and they have experienced the
truth OF the Saviours declaration, that 1T is
more blessed 10 give than TO receive" They
have been able to accomplish more fully the
great mission of life than they could and would
nave done without these organizations.
Let me ask this intelligent Christian audience,
What is the object OF becoming d Christian
Is it not 10 serve the Saviour, advance in hoIi-
ness, and exert an influence for the good of
others? Does II not enter into the yerV frst
duty OF devotion TO Christ to labor for our
Mastery What is the grand end? Why, that
weImay love the Christian duty and ayocations
and consecrate ourselves to His service. Not
simply TO organize churches and listen to the
Divine truth.
We are admitted into Gods family to he
equipped with virtues and strong principles.
that we may DO our duty on the great avenues
OF philanthropy and benevolence; and where
VIII you md an institution better lifted to enlist
m and =
young Christians, than the work in which these
associations are engaged?
We have been sorry to find that there have
been from some quarters objections made 70
these associations, as though they were inter
terlng with the great work of the Church. We
believe as tuily as any person in the great fact
that the ChristianC hurches of our land are the
heayen-appoiDted organizations for carving
the Gospel to the destitute and to the hesthen.
bur would to God the churches felt more fnnyS
their duty in this particular! | regard every
Christian church in Philadelphia as planted nv
God as the diyinely appointed society for carry,
ing the Gospel TO those who are perishing and
destitute; and upon these evangelical Churches
rests, in great measure, the responsibility at
this work Va U
We have in this city our Missionary Societies.
oar Tract Societies, and our Bible Societies butt
put the Church above them as the great Anencs
which God has appointed for this work, sTheee
youngimen go between the churches and the
vicious the neglected, the poor. and thu
wretched of our cities. They come 10 ,ask yoar
aid, your prayers and your efforts "a heln thor
in the work of carrying the Gospel to thb ipno-
rant ana the vicious; and whenever the churShas
nave cordially co-operated with these hsaOcip
nons, they have felt the reflex Influences az
their power. IL7F y - - ~ "
Strong efforts are being made AZ the nress,,
time 10 unite the various denomipatlons az pm
testant Christians In fraternity of snirit sSa
concert OF action. You are familiar win 'tS.n
Inovenents raN en- IS. IN new York and other citeSk