, 1874-02-08
THE CHRISTIAN UNION.
Objects of the Organization and Means
Used to Accomplish Them.

Used to Accomplish Them.
To The EIilor Of Tie Chicago Tribune:
SIR: With the large number Of religious, bt
neyolent, and charitable organizations IN th
city it is but NATURAL that much confusion shoul
exist in the minds Of many people in regard
tie particular province OF such societies, ,-thoi
field OF labor and the objectsthey seek to accon
plish. As this often results in serious incou
yenicnce to people. leading them to apply to 90
cieties which have not the ability to do the thing
which thoy want done it has seemed to me tha
some articles setting forth the province and worl
OF our various benevolent societies would be @
public value.
With this view, I would like to present to th
readers of TIE SUNDAY TRIBUNE plain state
Union,-its field Of labor and tho agencies it en-
ploys.
And first permit me to correct some misap
prehensions which exist in the minds Of man,
people. 1t is not a relief society, as some sup
pose-haying no relief fund. It's work is no
reformatory, but rather that which shall less e1
the necessity for MISUNDERSTANDING that pre-
Tention is better than cure. 1t Is not specifically
= religious organization. While all of its worl
has its foundation in the true spirit Of Chris
tianity,-the elevation and good Of the people,
the Union does not engage in specific re-
ligious work, nor in the propagation Of specific
religious belief, but furnishes iustoad broad
basis on which ali can unite in doing good, hoT-
ever diverse their religious beliefa may be.
ITS FIELD.
It seeks to occupy the broad field in our city
between the churches and religious orgauizn-
tions on the one hand, and the public charities
on the other-snppIcmen enting their work, but not
in any sense their rival
are to benefit the people, without distinction Of
nationality, sex, party or sect, BY furnishing the
means for social, mental, moral, and physical
culture and improvement, under. circumstances
thus building up character and lesseuing the
power of temptation to evil courses and irregu-
1arity Of life.
AGENCIES EMpLoYEp-RooMs.
The Union occupies three entire floors, at Id
Madison street, which afford ample and con-
greatly enlarged. Tho first floor is devoted to
tho office and parlor, library and reading room,
aud pleasant lecture and classroom in the
rear, aenting about 200 persons. On tho second
floor is Union Hall, occupying nearly the entire
floor, and which is used for eocisbles, entertain
door is occupied entirely by tho gymnasium
LIBRARY AND EEAD1Sd-Roor.
The library contains about 1900 volumes.
Members are privileged to draw books and retain
them two weeks. The 1eadlng-room has we'll
selected list OF magazines and reyiews-daily
lng-room ia free to the public, but only members
are privileged to take books from the library.
AGREEMENTS.
In the rear Of the reading-room n1e tables pro-
vided with chess, backgammon, and checker
boards, tho use Of which is FREQ 10 all, and which
amusement, without thor being obliged to visit
questionable places Of resort to obtain it.
EVENING CLASSES.
The evening classes form one Of the most i'm
portsnt features Of tho Unions work. They arc
for tho benefit OF people whoBe early
opportunities for improvement. The classes
nov in successful operation are three in Gar
man, in charge OF Prof. andrew Groh; two in
French taught by Madame Dodou English lit
erature, in charge Of the Rov. Joseph Haven,
Q. D.; astronomy, in charge Of Elias Colbert,
and vocal music, by Prof. C. 6. Walker. The
aggregate membership Of the evening classes
now formed is over $50. The Union will form
additional classes in any branch Of useful study
there is = sufficient number Of per-
sons ready to form class.
LECTURES.
The Union furnishes a lectu1e-couree Monday
evening OF each week. This course, though es-
pccially designed for the benefit OF membore7ia
free to tho public. It commenced on tho first
Monday in December. and will be continued till
May, and possibly longer. The lectures are
mainly given by citizens Of Chicago, and are
upon practical topics. Tins far the course has
proved IN unqualified success-the attendance
has been good aud the lectures frst-class in
point Of interest and merit.
Dr. tLn At.-4{ .t7....
ven, during tho fail and early winter delivered
MS course Of lectures on Ancient and Modern
and Mrs. Kate Doggett is now Civ
ing T. course Of Art Lectures on every alternate
Friday afternoon. The lccture-room has also
been furnished On al occasions to persons
Tho l9ctured on their own account.
LITERARY SOCIETY.
A literary debating club meets every Saturday
syening, discussing questions Of interest Sc
ectod from the current oventH Of the times.
HoCIADLEs AND ENTERTAINMENTS.
Once month the Union provides q sociable
lleir friends, which helps in developing and
the social element Of the Union
work.
TIE GYMNASIUM.
This occupies the entire upper floor OF the
,uilding--is furnished with apparatus OF the
very day. Sundays excepted, from q. m. to 10
}. M, and furnishes opportunities for physical
ultnro and Development, the value Of which
can hardly be oyercstirnated. Among its nppa-
atus are two health-lfts, one Of which is kept
N tho first floor for tho convenience OF ladies
md such gentlemen as do not care to use the
gymnasium.
ATTENDANCE.
Tho attendance at tho rooms OF persons who
ome for the privileges OF tho reading room,
lbrary, classes, and gymnasium, as shown by
ccu1ate count, averages about 400 per day. This
lumber would be considerably increased il the
attendance upon lectures was included.
MEMBERSHIP.
The present membership of the Union is about
,050, and is Of four ciasses, viz: Annual, BY |
be payment Of 81; SUBSCRIPTION BY the pay
nent OF s.; contributing, by the payment Of
80; and life, by the payment Of 9lQ0, The |
unhor Of life members is 129.
Annual members are entitled to the use of the |
brnry for ono year and admission to classes On |
ayment of 81 per term class dues. 6ubscrip- |
ion membors arc entitled to the uao Of the |
brary and free admission to any or all the class
.. Contributing members are entitled to the !
SO OF tho gymnasium, health-lift, library, and |
Omission to classes-in .Dhort, to all the pzlvi- !
'ges Of tho Uuion--for ono year. !
The Union has no resources or means OF Bup-
CT other than it's receipts from memberships |
I'D such donations as it's friends may giYe !
uriQg the present NintCr it. in common with