Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-15
RELIGIOUS WORK.
Tho Young Mems Christian AssOoiatt0n of
st. Paul.

Among the best opponents of church
unity, as relating to the different sects of
Protestant Evangelical Christians, is the
Young Mems Christian association, and in
matters where this unity is of Importance,
this society finds an important field. The
record of the growth and present strength
of this association in Great Britain, Canada
and the United States is very marvellous
one. Springing into existence, as the nat
ural supply of felt want, about twenty
years ago, they have grown, increased and
strengthened until to-day there are in this
country alone over 1000 societies, owning
property valued at over two mil
lions and half. OF the work
done it is not the purpose of this article to
speak in detail, but it may be mentioned in
passing that those in charge of the general
work have found that men are best reached
in connection with their distinctive callings,
and hence special and well directed efforts
are being put forth for separate classes, as
railway men, college students, the men in
the army, the German young men, ETC., and
in each of these branches of the work some
one having large experience is employed by
the affiliated societies, through their e1ecu-
tive committee, to give his entire time and
attention to his field. But briefly to review
the work of our own association is rather
the purpose of this article than any extend
ed sketch of the general work being done,
and to this We now address ourselves.
Perhaps the best work done by the st.
Paul society during the year 1879, was the
keeping open of a cheerful, we'll lighted and
Gin season. we'll heated and well furnished
reading room. This room, situated on the
corner of Fifth and Wabashaw streets, on
the second floor of the Odd Fellows build
ing, has BEEN kept open daily Except Sun
day. from $50 A. NJ. to 10P. NJ. and on the
Sabbath from 2 to $50 P. NJ, and the at
tendance of young men upon it has been
very large, the capacity of the room often
being severely taxed. Connected by folding
doors, the association have another room of
about the sane size, fitted up as a parlor
during the year past by some of their lady
friends. This room has been of necessity
used in the past for public services, which
has greatly injured it's usefulness as a social
parlor, but this has now been remedied
by the renting of the old Summer
Garden, at 81 Wabashaw street, where, in
the future, tho larger meetings will be held.
This room, which is large and admirably
suited in many ways for the uses to which
The society expect to put it, was rented
about a month ago by the committee of the
association in charge of the work among the
boys, and will provide rendezvous during
the winter for the boys of the city, and in it
the work commenced in their behalf last
winter will be continued.
The Sunday school at Davton's Bluff which
meets in the chapel owned by the associa-
ton, has been regularly kept up and we'll at
tended during the past year, he efficient
superintendent, Mr.. c. w. Hackett, re-
naming in charge until very recently,
yhen be was compelled to resign owing to q
press of other duties, and gives way, after q
faithful and earnest service of five FEARS, to
a successor, who, however, has not yet been
appointed.
A Monday night young mems gospel meet
ing has been kept up with more OF less regu-
larity during the year, and has been the
means of strengthening and helping not a
few young men in their strivings toward
pure and upright lives. A ''service of song''
on Sabbath afternoon has proved one of the
most popular meetings held, calling in large
numbers of those not often seen in our
churches. The union bible class, under the
efficient leadership of Rev. D. Il. Breed
and Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller, has
attained size scarcely second to any in a
city of this size in the country, and is prov
ing q fruitful source of help to those who
instruct the young in bible truths in our
homes and Sunday schools. Numerous other
religious services have been held, notably in
the jail, hospital and at Fort Smelling, and
other places, but perhaps the best effort put
forth by the society in aiding young men is
the keeping employed a general secretary.
Mr.. E. A. Holdridge, who devotes all his
time to the work Of the society, and whose
duty it is to aid young men in find
ing employment, boarding-houses, church
homes, etc., when coming as strangers to
the city, and who, forming the acquaintance
of all the young men possible in the city,
seeks as young man to lead them to see the
advantages offered By the association to
them. Much of this work done by the Sec
rotary of the association can not be spoken
of in detail from its very nature, caring for
the sick, striving to raise up the fallen, warn
ing those who are going astray, is work
which if done wisely must be done quietly,
unostentatiously, and its results shall only be
known when the record of all hearts stands
revealed.
Concerning the future of the society much
depends upon the support, re-
fusing to adopt any of the doubtful expe-
dents as fairs, ETC., for raising. money and
believing, as it's managers do, that it is
worthy of and deserves support upon its
merits, the institution commends itself to
the careful study of every