Vicksburg weekly herald., 1878-04-19
The Young Meas Christian AS
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The visit TO our city Of Mr. Gree,
who represents the International Com
mittee Of the Young Men's Christian
Association, In connection with the
meetings conducted by Messrs. HaFdle,
Sherrard and Post, Of the Young Meme
Christian Association Of Alabams, has
awakened an interest among the Chris
tlsn people Of our city In these 0rgani-
cations, and there is Q general feeling
that there is 9 pressing need for effort
In this direction. Our city should
have Q 6rst-elaSS reading room, q good
public library, course Of social and
literary entertainments, and experience
In other cities demonstrates that the
Christian Association 10 most success.
fol IN conducting these agencies. We
have had Associations of this name be.
fore, and, although conducted by good
men, they have ceased to exist. The
reason for such failure was not that
there was not Q wide field for such eff
fort, but that the work for which they
had been specially called into existence
was not done. The Young Mems
Christian Association is not designed
to be a mission TO the Churches, but is
a mission of the Churches, through
their young men, for q special object,
namely, to reach other young men.
The need for special effort on behalf
ofyOung men 10 universally conceded.
The fact that 90 many are now aud have
been away from church influences,
demonstrates the need Of some agency
In the church, and directed by It, 10
bring this class to Q knowledge Of
Christ and into sympathy with the
church. The ppecial temptations Of
young men call for unusual effort, and
those who are familiar with these
temptations aud know the habits and
wants of young men, are the ones best
fitted to deal with them.
In reaching them, It is often deslra
BILE and helpful to make efforts which
include In their scope, other than young
men, but the organizations should not
be carried away by success In other d..
rectiOns, or discouraged by failure 10
their Legitimate work, from prosecuting
their special mission.
What special work can they doI
lst. They hold yOuag men's meetings to
develop Christian young men, and reach
those not Christians.
ID. They provide reading rooms and
pleasant places OF resort for young men,
who have not the attractions Of comfOrta.
ble homes.
3D.. They conduct lectures and entertain
ments such as young people want, but OF a
character TO elevate and Improve.
4th. They hold social singing meetings,
praise and promise meetings.
9th. They conduct meetings 10 districts
where people do not 60 to Church, /.
sch0ol.hOuses aud neglected neigh5Or-
hoods, In hospitals, Ilils and a'msh0use..
and th the sick, the aged and the infrm
eth. they hold open air meetings and
tn ough them present the -Ospel TO many
who do not 60 to Church
7th. They hold maeti gs for boys.
Sth. They accustom young men TO the Y.
n. 9. A., Interest them 10 its work, and
when changing their residence, introduces
them to other associations, aud, through
them, to the companionship VI Christian
young men.
9th. They are conducted by persons who
are developed by the earnest personal
work for others, aud are made more useful
In all branches OF Christian work.
10th. They are an eiiclent agency OF the
Church In bringing young men to a knOWl-
edge VI Christ.
II is hardly necessary to cay that the
Association does not take the place oi
the church, aud that its teaching 10, that
its meetings must not conflict with
church meetings, and that 9 young
mAu's fret duty IA TO his church.
These organizations In this country
now number more than one thousand
with q membership of over one hun.
dred thousand. The Associations own
property, clear Of encumbrance, TO the
amount of over two million dollars.
One hundred and twenty-three general
secretaries are employed, and over ten
thousand men were provided with EN-.
ployment through this agency during
the past year. lts work for young men
is now clearly developed, and ministers
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