The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-10-09
Y. M. c. A. Anniversary.

The first anniversary of the Young
Mems Christian association of this city
was held in the First ii. E. church last
Sunday. The church was well filled,
every available sitting being taken, and
the people listened to the address with
marked attention, thus evidencing their
interest in the work. The meeting was
presided over by the president of the
association, Mr.. F. D. Petit, and was
opeued with a service of song, which was
conducted by w. Bollard, of Topeka.
Prayer and reading of scripture, followed
with another song, when the meeting
was addressed by G. T. Coxhead, state
secretary of the Y. NJ. q. A. for Mis-
souri,, who spoke of the relation Of the
Young Mems Christian Association to
the church. The objections which are
brought against the organization were
answered fully by Mr.. Coxhead. He
said, in answer to the assertion that the
association placed itself before the peo-
pie as an independent organization and
was working against the church. that by
the very terms of its constitution it was
a part of, and merely an arm to
the church. Before q member could
have voice in its business meetings or
hold an Office in the association, he
must be member, in good standing OF
some evangelical church. He showed
concIusively that it was help and aid
to the church and not a hindrance. If
a young man could not serve both
church and association, he was always
urged to effort for the former. The as
ISOLATION exists tor the purpose of filling
the churches with young men, who can
be best reached by young men. Stats
tics were read which proved that SO per
cent of the young men of our country
rarely attended any church service, and
that rs per cent neUer darkened a church
door. This was owing, very largely. to
the ayocation of the young men Of to-
| day. A million and half were en-
ployed IN the railway service, and thou
sands of travelling men were all the time
| on the go. This class OF men could not
be reached by regular church services,
and were practically denied the privilege
OF listening to the gospel. For this and
numerous other reasons, which space
| forbids US to mention, the association
existed and was g permanent in
stitution. He gave the names
of leading divines in the
country, who gave the association their
hearty support and commentator.
After song, "Where are the Reap
ers?" the meeting was briefly addressed
by Mr.. F. H. Clark, general secretary of
Il. r. Y. NJ. G. A, of Kansas City, Mo.
MIR. Clark spoke OF the particular needs
of the association of this city, explain
ing why the young men needed rooms,
how they should be furnished with read
ing matter, ETC., and told of the benefits
which would accrue 10 the city from
such an organization. He closed
by making an appeal to the business
men for financial aid.
After the gospel meeting in the after
noon, which was held in the PresbYte-
rian church, the young men had them
selves pledged over hundred dollars
for the work, and they now asked the
business men to assist them, and about
$500 were subscribed.
Tho association IS to be congratulated
in the success of the effort they have
made, and now it is assured that the
rooms will be opened and one more ad-
dition TO our good things will
be made. The following minis
tiers were in attendance: Rev. W. @
Snodgrass, OF the NJ. E. church, W. b
Barnes, of the Baptist church, R L.
Lott, of the Christian church, and II.
Macay, Of the Episcopal church. Other
pastors would have been present, but
circumstances would not permit. That
the ministers Of the city were in hearty
sympathy with the association was
shown from the fact Of their subscribing
literally to its funds.
Il is expected that steps will be taken
for the immediate opening Of the
rooms. REP.