The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-21
Young Meas Christian Association.

Young Men,D Christian Association.
The regular quarterly meeting Of the Young
Mems Christian Association Of Ottawa, was held
at the rooms Of the Association in Bushnell s.
Leland's block, on Monday evening, and drew
out pretty full attendance. The proceedings
were mainly taAsn up in hearing reports Of the
various committees, the most important Of which
was that Of The managers, given below. The
Library committee, who also had charge of read
ing room and fixtures, made but brief verbal
report. as tho association had occular proof of
their work before them-a finely furnished read.
ing room, fitted up at q cost of about $3.50, with
number of leading daily and weekly papers
and magazines regularly on file or on the tables,
aad over 100 valnmss Of good, readable books in
the library. The tract and visiting committee
made verbal, but very interesting report Of
their work in visiting about the city. The re-
lief committee reported handsomely Of the good
work done in their department, and so other com.
mittees made verbal reports, showing generally
healthy activity. On the suggestion of the
library committee, it was voted unanimously,
that ali members who have not already done SO,
be requested to contribute at least one book to the
library, and should solicit donations from their
friends, the librarian to report the result at
meeting two weeks from last Monday evening.
The room of the association is now kept open
every day and evening, Except Sunday.) and
they invite young in the city, and all other
friends to avail Themselves ofits privileges The
room is steadily growing more largely place of
resort for young men in the evenings but the
hope is to make il attractive that it will be FILL
ed each evening, and the association would not
regard it as a calamity, if the daily attendance
should grow 80 large as to compel all enlarge.
ment of their quarters.
managers, above alluded to:
Since the last regular meeting Of the Associa-
ton, the Board have secured the room now occu-
pied by the Association at monthly rent Of $21, :
So and the amount expended by the Committee
on Rooms and Reception in fitting up the same
has not been reported to the Board.
The Board in January last, secured the SER
vices of Mr.. B. F. Jacobs of Chicago, TO deliver a
lecture to the citizens which realized to the As
sociation $575.
To secure more thorough canvass Of the city
on behalf of the Association, the Finance Com
mittee of the Board have divided the city into 0
districts, and appointed subcommittee in each
| district to canvass the same for members of the
| Association. money and books for the library.
The library at the present time consists Of only
| 100 volumes These have all been donated by
friends of 1hS Association and the number il con.
etantay increasing. No purchases Of library books
have as yet been made, the Committee deeming
it more expedient to await thorough canvass OF
the city for donations of books, knowing that a
| very large number of books could thus be collect
| ed, and then the appropriation could be expend-
ed at q much greater advantage. The amount
expended thus far for the reading room, is $92.-
| 20. The Library and Reading Room is under
| the charge of . competent librarian Mr. John
Hind. whom the Board have employed at salary
of $400 per year.
There are now 1876 members of the Association,
81 of whom became members at tho adoption Of
the Constitution, and 6S having been elected ia
membership by the Board.
| The Board report with great pleasure that the
hearty cooperation and assistance received from
our citizens in every movement in the interest Of
the Association is unmistakable evidence that
the vslue and Importance Of the Association il
fully appreciated, and that it has now become one
Of the permanent organizations of our city.
Our Reading Room, supplied with the choicest
religious, political and literary papers, pcriod
calls, &C., from all'parts of the country, and con
stantly increasing library, is open every day and
evening, and cordial welcome is extended tc
any and all who will avail themselves of tn,
privilege here offered, and it is gratifying to b,
able to state that the number OF visitors is dali,
increasing, and that the young men Of our city
are beginning to appreciate the benefits and ad
vantages of the same, and are making it plac,
of nightly resort.
The Association has been organized under tn
most favorable auspices, and has now, in tn
short space of three months, reached positio,
of Importance and influence, far surpassing tn
| expectations of its most earnest and jealous sup
porters 1t remains with our christian commu
nifty to carry on the noble work here SO encour
agingly commenced, and we believe that ther
will be no faltering in the furnishing of neces
sary material aid and the untiring energy Q
| jealous Christians in its behalf.
Go and hear the Fall of Cardinal Woolsev, q
read by Henry Nichols, at Plymouth Churc
| nox< t.; Jor oro,;or