Morning journal and courier., 1884-11-15
V.W. o. A.
It's Aims and object and the Scope or It-s ne vwnrIr and Usefulness.

Fhm work and Usefulness.
 The managers of the Young Women's Christian association are often greatly sur prised to find that many of our people are unaware of the aims and work of that insti tuition, which are spoken of by one conyersant with the subject as follows: "A while ago we heard of poor girl of this city who was quite anxious to take lessons on the type writer. She made various efforts, but was about to give up in despair when she was told that there was a type writer at the home of the Y. W. c. A. and that there she could obtain gratuitously the wished for instruc- tion" Every little while we advertise our classes in the daily press. These classes are courage" daily when we think of the amount of good being done.
 We really have, with our limited means, all whom we can well care for, and yet it is 8 matter of surprise that we are not overrun with young women anxious to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them of learn ing various branches which would enable them to gain an honest livelihood. Anyone who visits ssour retail stores cannot but notice the number of young women who are employed as book6eepers, cashiers, etc.
 We have two excellent teachers in book keeping, and there are at present twenty three young women, trying to perfect them selves in this branch. That there are openings for such labor, cannot be denied
 We also have class of twelve studying photography. We employ com petent dressmaker, who has a class of eight learning the art of cutting and fitting. We have applications for learning dressmakine from a sufficient number to form two more classes but we cannot afford to hire more teachers Aside from dressmaking proper we have various sewing classes. Every Sat urday morning one hundred and forty five little girls are taught how to sew. In the afternoon thirty-two larger girls assemble fo1 the same purpose.
 Only the teachers in the really practical branches receive payment, most of the tui- tion being gratuitous
 Aside from the above mentioned classes we have thirty-one girls in the class of pen manship, twenty-two studying arithmetic, fifteen in the spelling class, thirteen taking vocal music, twelve studying English itera- ture, nine learning embroidering, eight using the typewriter and ten applications for grammar. Bear in mind that these are not young girls who may take advantage of our public schools, but grown-up young women all of whom earn their own living, and whose only time for study is in the evening. Some will ask: 'EWhat is the use of teach ing poor girls epbroidering or sing ing?' We answer first: All knowl- edge is useful. And second, who knows to what advantage they may turn these accom- plishments? And even if no pecuniary ad- vantage is gained, how much better it is for our young girls to be employed in this way than to be walking about the streets at night. It is the desire of the ladies that the young women take, so far as possible, the solid useful branches; studies that will help them in their way through the world. Last ly, every girl who comes under the FHome" influence must be receiving silent object les sons in the neatness, order and economy that prevails within those four quiet walls
 Who shall say that this is not 8 deserving charity and accomplishing great worka