The New York herald., 1878-12-14
HELPING THE woRKINGA1AN.
INAUGURATION OF THE LEBANON CLUB-INTER.
EsTINa OPENING EXERCISES.

INAUGURATION OF THE LEBANON CLUB-INTER-
sssao EsrINa OPENING EXERCISES.
The Lebanon Club of Workingmen entered last
evening upon what it is believed will prove
OF extensive usefulness Readers Of the HERALD are
familiar with the nature Of the organization from
number Of articles published about year ago when
the movement first began to attract public attention
1t is an imitation. close circumstances would
permit, Of the workingmens clubs which have
proved successful in London, Liverpool and
other leading cities Of England. Its object is to
tract the poor laborer from the rum shop and other
low resorts where his leisure time now spent and
to afford him what will be the best substitution
cheerful attractive home. And it is part Of the
plan that this benefit shall take the form Of
charity, for experience has shown that to
elevate a man he must not Arst be pauper-
ised. The intention IA TO make the club
selfsupporting; and il this proves impractcable the
managers declare their determinations wholly to
able delay in obtaining funds to meet the preliminary
expenses but now the institution is fairly on its
feet and must stand its own merits or fall to tho
ground. The officers re:-President-Rev. James
Marshall, Vice Presidents-Rev. Conrad Doench and
George W; Martin; secretary-James AIKEN; Treas
yfNs THE CLUB HOUSE.
At present the prospects of success are decidedly
favorable In the hrst place suitable location and
an excellent building have been secured. The club
house stands the corner Of Columbia and Stanton
strcets-a neighborhood thickly populated by work
ngmen 1t is of brick three stories in height about
ffty feet deep and twenty Ave wide. Formerly the
first floor. front. was occupied as saloon. but it
has since been tho thoroughly cleaned and converted
Of four five steps leads to narrow entry in the
rear from which door the right leads to the side
walk and one on the left to the reading room. The
floor OF this apartment partly covered with
mating. The daily papers are scattered over two
large tables and at one end OF the room is well filled
bookcase. A large painting and several engravings
hang the walls. staircase leads from the adj
joining entry to the floor above where are
the lecture room, smoking room and comnittco
room. The former Is . comparatively handsome and
commodious hall. extending the entire depth Of the
building and lighted by windows at either end. Tho
walls are covered with Light gray paper and hung
with pictures, around each of which is border Of
descriptive text. At the is platform but
slightly elevated above the floor. The third story
occupied by the superintendent and his wife. For
the present this building has been rented; but IL
future shall warrant il more thoroughly
adapted to the purpose may be erected.
The club already numbers Atty members, and Il is
believed that ten times that number could be
modated in its present homc the lecture hall being
used ss o reading room when not otherwise needed.
The initiation fee is III and monthly dues twenty-five
cents. Coffee, tea chocolate and cold lunch will DO
furnished ut low rates in the coffee room, which will
be opened in day or two. In the reading room Ger
papers well English will be kept, and. II
requisite. French and Spanish, too. There will be q
lecture other entertainment about once a month.
the price OF admission being less to member than to
an outsider. m
The lecture room, tastefully decorated with flags
from the Seventh regiment srmory, was Allied with
ladies' gentlemen and workingmen last evening.
when Rev. Mr.. Marshall delivered the opening adj
dress. The speaker sketched the rise Of working.
mems clubs in England and demonstrated the neces.
sity Of similar associations in this country. There
are two principles in the workngmans life" he said,
(which these clubs must meet; irst recreation; sec.
ond, cooperation; and for these we provide the
proper conditions. The ruling power should be re-
hgion though not sectarianism.
Rev. DIR. J. II. Rylance, of St. Marks Episcopal
Church. and Mr.. Willis James also spoke. fully In
dorsing DIR. Rylances remarks. The treasurer de-
winant, the contralto of st. Thomas Episcopal
Church, And by Mr.. +. w. jameson also of st.
Thomas added much to the enjoyment OF the exer-
cses. Several songs were encorcd. The accom-
paniments were played on an upright piano loaned
for the occasion. 8ANE tT #M #MN