Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-07
SECOND ANNIVERSARY
OF the Young Mems Christian Ass oef.t,o,
OF Augusta.

appropriate services were held in Granite
Church, SUNDAY evening, in commemoration
of the Second Anniversary of the Youny
Mems Christian Association of this city.
Scripture was read by Rev II. W. Tilien.
and prayer offered bv the Rev Mr.. Cu,hber,
son OF London. The report of the General
Secretary was then given, which is appended
below. Following the report interesting ad.
dresses were given by Prof Campbell of
Bowdoin and Mr.. E. w. Watkins of New
York city.
REPORT OF GENERAL SECRETARY.
For many years | had heard more or less
OF Young Mems Christian Associations. but
not until | sat down at an International Com
ference with 200 other Young men who had
come from all parts If the United States and
British Provinces, yes even from Scotland
10 discover and talk over the most practical
methods of reaching and eIevating vounu
men, then. and not till then did I have the
slightest conception of the magnitude of the
work done by the Young Men. Christian
ASSOCIATIONS of our country. and il is the re-
port OF but branch Of that mighty work that
an To present here Tonight Our aim and
IN various ways. Realizing this and eager to
carry on more aggressive work. the Assoc
clation OF this city. one year after its forma.
ton, appointed committee to secure room,
which could be adapted TO our use That
committee faithfully performed its duty, and
we moved into the rooms we now occupy
We have had during the past wear more than
10000 visitors large majority of these
have been young men, and. with our increased
facilities, think | can safely predict that in
the report one year from 10 day the number
will have increased to over 10000
OF the various secular departments of our
work there is none more important than the
Social Department, and our parlor which il
elegantly furnished and well supplied with
games, provides for the young men of our
city pleasant resort, where they will be
surrounded with an atmos phere prre and
healihful in its action. This room is NOT re-
stricted to members, hut is open to every
Young man from 3 a. NJ to9P NJ In Nav
of 1852 a members reception was held which
proved q mot successful affair more than 300
ladies and gentlemen being present In June
strawberry festival carried on bv the
ladies connected with the Association which
was a success both financially and socially
In October course of entertainments was
arranged BY the committee and thus far four
have been given to crowded houses Recon
tons also have been held. when with the
rooms thrown open we have entertained large
numbers. We have given two special recep-
lions; one on New Years Day. when about
$50 partOok of light refreshments, and en-.
Joyed the use of our rooms until late at night
and one on February Sth which was rendered
the young men connected with Dirigo BUSH
ness College. This was a complete success
and was highly appreciated bv the students
know, net only from the expression of graft
tude sent to us. but also from the fact that
several who had never before been inside
the rooms, are now regular attendants Bv
the preceding we have shown whar has been
done in one department of our work, but
there are several others, and in one We seek
the Improvement of the mind. and to accom-
plish this reading room has been stocked
with some 30 magazines and papers, the
standard works of England anc America
More than 5000 young men have spent a
greater part of their leisure in this room.
Young men out of work and who do not de-
sire to stand on the corners, are often seen
deeply engaged in reading some magazine or
paper. They are compelled to go somew here.
and it had better be the reading room or
parlor of the Association than the billiard
hall with its many avenues of approach
We have carried on no educational classes
not deeming it expedient, but we hope ere
the year closes to open to the young men of
our city, classes in several branches of edu
cation which will be of use, and bring to
them profit in after wears In Nov 1882 the
committee arranged course of practical
Talks" three of which have been given ::
Teeth Organism" DIR. Roberts The Men
That Make a Newspaper" Howard Owen;
1.-The Law of the Land-Its Sources and His
tory" Hon. A. G. Lebroke. There vet re-
tn no OF nj pfN " he
beneficial to those who attend.
The Physical Department of the Assoca-
tim has been well patronized. Objection
has been raised by some, who claim that we
turn aside from our work when we offer to
the Young men the use of a gymnasium. But
to benefit young men physically is legiti
mate part of our work. We endeavor to
bring forth the man in every sense of the
word However perfect a man may he spirit
ually. could he not give better service for the
Master with the same degree of spirituality
and strong. well built body in place of one
hut half developed =? And partly for this
reason we carry a well equipped gvmna-
siam where young men can, with judicious
exercise, broaden the chest, increase the
muscle and liv, better for so doing. In No
vember class in gymnastics was formed W hich
meets every Thursday evening and exercise
taken which brings into play ali the important
muscles of the body.
OF the various committees one is on con,
mercial travellers work, and during the past
wear the hotels have been visited FROM time
to time: neat little circular containing a
list of the churches and little card of invl-
taiion have been placed in an envelope and
directed 10 the stranger within our gates We
have had return for this labor. Several com
mercial travellers have attended our four
O'clock service and have stated, that. being
strangers in the city, they knew not where to
20. uutil calling for their mail. when they
received the invitation referred to.
committee on employment and board
ing houses also appointed. and
any one. stranger not. may apply
At the rooms and be directed to Christian
family We do not have the calls that as
| suciaiinns in larger cities have. yet this is an
imnartant branch of our work and, as will
presently show the influence shed around a
Young man during the first two or three
weeks in a strange city will often determine
| his future career. Several letters of intro
! duction have been given to young men about
tn leave home. In the past five months
some 500 visits have been made To members
| and Ia Young men not connected with the
Association.
I..,i, we come To the Spiritual work of