The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-06-17
What They are Doing in
the Field of Christian
Labor.
Origin, History, Character and Work
Of the Young Mems Christian
Association.
An Address Delivered IN Pulaski BY Mr..
Il. Z. Blanton, Of Nashville.
ORIGIN OF THE ASSOCIATION.

its responsibility, and accordingly
missionaries were sent out. A lit
tie more than a century ago there
were no sunday schools, but at this
point also the church, true TO her
mission, saw the need for such
work and through one of her cody
members, Robert Raikes, organized
the sunday school. The work has
grown with the years, until now we
are amazed at its magnitude. 1t
was IN this day that the church
found that, Notwithstanding it's in
creasing zeal and wisdom in many
particulars, it was not reaching
young men as class, but that they
were straying off into life that led
them far outside of its privileges
and offices and this gave rise to the
Young Mems Christian Associa
ton. During the year 1S41 George
Williams went to London, England,
to begin business life in one of the
largest drapery houses in the trade.
In the house with him nearly 100
clerks were employed, and his in
huence was soon felt. In CONVEX
sation, and by example and prayer,
he led one after another to Christ
and into the church. Young men
came from other houses, and so
great was the interest manifested
that on the 9th day of June, 1874,
they decided to form themselves
into a society for improving the
spiritual condition of young men.
A committee OF management was
appointed and their first place of
meeting was in a small coffee house.
But the society soon outgrew these
limited quarters, and on the Sth day
of November, 1914 they began to.
hold fortnightly meetings. Simple,
indeed, were the first efforts put
forth by this band of devoted.
young men, and little did they
think that from such an insignifi-
cant beginning a work would spring
into life such as exists at the pres
ent time-35 years later. In 1851
some 20 branches had been organ
lied in Great Britain, and in the
same year the idea of organizing on
this side of the water resulted in
the organization of a society in
Boston. Since that time these So
cietles have multiplied rapidly on
this continent, and have increased
steadily in power and usefulness.
The church saw plainly wherever it
took the trouble to look into the
matter that this class in the COM
munity were not being reached, or
even influenced as they should be
by the ordinary services OF the
sanctuary, and SO wisely concluded
to employ converted young men to
reach the unconverted of CORES
ponding class. AS these societies
had the one end in view, they were
brought into close sympathy with
one another which resulted in call
ing together the first Young Mems
Christian Association Convention
of America, which was held at Buff
falo, New York, in 1S54-just ten
years after the birth of the London
parent society. This, convention
was presided over by George w.
Helme, of New Orleans, and was
called international because dele
gates from the United States and
the British provinces enjoyed equal
privileges. At this convention an
international committee was APP
pointed; corresponding members Of
the committee were appointed from
all the states to gather up and put
in circulation all such matter as
might prove of most service in car
rying forward the work they had
under taken, and also to bring about
a unity of prayer and action.
ITS HISTORY.
In the history of the American
associations there have been three
strongly marked periods. 1st, the
perioC of the confederation, 1854 to
1861, Which takes its name from
the confederation formed at the
international convention. The first
worlds conference of the Y. NJ. c..
A. of all lands was held during this
period at Paris, France, in August,
1865, and adopted this test of mem
bership: "The Young Mems Chris
tan Associations seek to unite
those young men who, regarding
Jesus Christ as their God and Saw
ior, according to the Holy Scrip
lures, desire to- be His disciples in
their doctrine and in their life, and
to associate their efforts for the ex-
tension Of His kingdom among
young men,"
The ID Period: During the civil
war, 1861 to 1864. much of the
home activity of the associations
was suspended, and yet. most
wonderful field for activity opened
at this Time. But I will not detain
you here, as L desire to pass on to
the Sd period, 1865 to 1879.
After the close of the war the as
sociatioLs rapidly resumed work
for young men, and through the
blessing of God the distinctive work
in which they were engaged during
the first period was not only re.
sumed but has been greatly devel-
oped and strengthened. This is
seen in the growth of individual
associations, affiliated associations
and state and provincial organiza
lions. The International Conven-
ton is the name applied 20 affiliated
associations. e 10 1877 it mel
annually, but ~ il meets bienni
ally. The Int. aational Work Is
the name of the special work In
trusted by this convention to 1t:
executive committee. To give you
some idea OF its growth, in 1851 ,th,
sum expended by this committe,
was 1880, while in 1875 the prose
cutton of the work cost over SIT,
600. There are three main depart
ments. of this work: At the south
in the west ana among railr6 az
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