The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-06-27
THE ATHEN EUM.
Its Aims and Objccts--w What It Ha, Done and
Proposes Doing.

Its Aims and Objccts--What It Ha, Done and
Proposes Doing.
The Chicago Athcn1um, located at ia
East Madison street, Chicago, a society de
voted to the social, mental moral, and physi.
cal improvement Of the young people of the
city, maintaining for their benefit reading
room, library, amusement ROOM gymnasium,
free lecture course, evening classes in mod
ern languages, literature, science and art,
regular sociableS and entertainments, Is es-
peClaly DESTROYS Of being helpful TO young
men and women coming to the city as stran-
gers. To such persons the forming Of safe
and pleasant acquaintanCes and associations
at the outset is often matter of vital lmpor-
lance. The AthenIum holds out no induce.
ments to bring young people to the city and
can make no promises to secure for them
situations.
These are at all umes difficult to obtain,
the labor supply being always in excess of
the demand, and this is especially true Of
all the higher grades of labor And of the
many who yearly come to the city but few,
cOmpaI ativcly, reach the measure Of success
which they expected But since city life
holds out attractions which continually draw
young people from their rural homes, this
society desires 10 aid such as come by wei
coming them 10 its rooms, where they can
pleasant character and a place in which to
spend their leiSures hours with safety and
profit. To this end the Athen9um is desir.
Gus Of opening communications and perfect.
ing arrangements with kindred societies and
associations, clergymen and others through
out the Northwest, by which young people
coming TO this city may be furnished with
letters of introduction, which will insure
them recognition by this society and also
by which members Of the Athenpum going
10 other localities can be furnished with let
tiers, which will serve them in like manner.
This is matter in which the entire North
west has direct interest.
1t is every year sending its sons and daugh.
tiers to this city, where they are subjected to
influences powerful both for good and evil.
A little impulse in the right direction and
at the right time may help them in the course
which leads to prosperity, usefulness, and
happiness. Failing in this, its opposite may
be taken, which ends III disappointment and
ruin. The benevolent efforts of the past few
years have been largely in the direction of
relief and reformation-in efforts to palliate
and cure some of the evils resulting from
pauperism aud crime. While no more may
haye been done in these directions than is
needful. this society believes (and this belief
forms the basis Of It's action that prevention
is better than cure, and that If more care was
given to the interests and welfare of the
young when character is being formed and
when they are peculiarly exposed to tempta-
ton, there would be less of poverty to re-
lieye and fewer criminals to reform.
Believing that the organization and plan
of work of this society-its broad basis on
which all can unite without distinction ofna-
tionality, sex, r creed, its adoption to the
wants and circumstances of any community
present one Of the best agencies now exist
ing for promoting the welfare of the young,
the Athesaum is especially DESTROYS that
similar societies should be formed through
out the cities and towns of the Northwest,
and will chcerfully aid in accomplishing
this By furnishing full and detailed informa-
tion in regard to its own organization and
manner of work, or by the personal attend
ance OF representatives from the society to-
AID in eficcting such organizations
This society is not a new and untried eX-
pertinent, but has reached its present status
through several years OF practical work, I'm.
der the name of the Christian Union, which
has been recently changed to the Chicago
AthenGuIn, and the wisdom and efficiency of
its plans and methods have been tested by ex-
perience. Correspondence is invited from
all persons throughout the community who
feel al interest in this subject, and are viii
ling to cooperate practically in any of the
objects set forth in the foregoing
Communications may be addressed to O.C.
Gibbs, Superintendent Chicago Athen9um,
No IA Madison street Chicago.