The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-25
THE YOUNG NEWS CHRISTIAN ASSO.
CATION.

This important organization, which is daily
occupying more extended field of usefulness
field which it alone can occupy-owes its ori-
gin to a number of Christian gentlemen who
were impressed with the necessity of doing
something for the moral and spiritual welfare
of the thousands of young men who go to ruin
in this and every other large city for the want
of friendly counsel and encouragement, and the
lack of means for filling up their leisure hours
agreeably without frequenting the haunts of
vice. The association was organized in 1851,
in SAMSON Street Hall, by Rev. DR.. Branerd,
Mr.. George I'll. Stuart, and Others. 1t started
with about fifty members aud with Mr.. Stuart
as its first President. The first rooms of
the Young Mems Christian Association were
on Chestnut street. below Seventh, and for a
considerable time it's growth was exceedingly
slow, it being found difficult to excite any great
amount of Interest in IL. A removal was made
to Arch street, below Ninth, when the interest
In the organization nearly died out, and it was
only nominay kept in existence by the efforts
of few members. revival of interest in it
occurred in 1850, when rooms on Chestnut street,
above Tenth, were occupied The great religious
revival of this year gave the association a start
which set 1t fairly on its feet, and the Jayne's
Hall prayer meetings were held under its aus
: the iremen's halls. The breaking out of the
war was o severe blow to the Young
Mems Christian Association, principally on
account of the enlistment of large number of
it's members in the army. few persevering
members, however, kept the association in exist
ence, and from the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation sprang the Christian Commission, whose
good works and history are written in the hearts
of the people of the whole world. This impor-
tant work absorbed the best energies of the
members of the association during the continu-
ance of the war; and it was not until the end of
the great conflict that they were able to devote
themselves to the real work for which the asso-
citation was organized. Since the war the Young
Mems Christian Association has been slowly but
surely perfectng its organization and preparing
its plans for greatly increasing its sphere of
usefulness. 1t Is hoped shortly to be
in possession of the means for the
erection of building like that given to the
that city, which will be furnished with q GYM
nasium, reading-rooms, debating hall, and all
other means OF making 1t attractive to young
men.
The amount of good which an Institution like
the Young Mems Christian Association can do
is incalculabe. There are thousands of young
men in this city in all ranks of life who are
entirely without friends and advisers, who are
at a loss how to spend their leisure hours, and
who are peculiarly open on many accounts to
temptations. To such as these the rooms of a
Young Mems Christian Association, where they
will always be made welcome, be introduced to
desirable acquaintances, and be afforded facili-
ties for making trustworthy friends, cannot
but be highly appreciated. The advantages
which are also furnished for passing the time
pleasantly in the shape of a well-seected
library, an attractive reading-room where all
the magazines and newspapers can be found,
must appeal strongly to the sympathies of young
men of native refinement and good taste, and
for these reasons, if for no other, the Young
Mems Christian Association deserves the cor
dial encouragement and hearty support of our
merchants and also those who are Interested in
the welfare of young men. From the address
of William f. Dodge, Jr., Esq, the President OF
the New York Christian Association, at the six
teenth anniversary meeting of the Philadelphia
association, held last November at the Academy
of Music, we take the following as practical
illustration of the value and importance of such
organizations. Mr.. Dodge said:-
The desire of the Young Mems Christian Assca-
tiOns throughout this land is TO use their cOncen
tTated efforts to reach, Dy ali brothery kindness by
all tact and wisdom, those young men In our cities
and towns without friends who are drifting to de,
structlOn and 10 say TO them there is beauty In
our holy faith, and that there is something the
world worth living for and to give them means to
enjoy the blessed influences, so that they may be
come good and true men. l remember, some TWO
Years ago coming down from Montreal where the
National Convention OF the Young Mems Christian
Aesociation had been IN session. one beautiful even
ing. wss sitting forward on the upper deck OF The
boat ENJOYING the stiffness OF the lovely lake, wheI
was interrupted by gentleman whom could no
distinguish WI asked me n l was from New York
/ replied that was 81 want very much e
Ifog poginuod no "wb1t F0u y9ul.
aen are doing IN New York fol