The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-09
Y. M. G. A. UNION SERVICES.
The Meetings Held Last Evening on the
North Side and South Side.
Appeals for Liberal Contributions in Support
of the Associations Good Work-The
Need of New Building.
AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The North-Side Union Service in the Inter-
est of the Y. Nj. C. A.
The congregations of Meridian street NJ. E.
Church, Central Christian Church and the First
Presbyterian Church met lest night in the audi
ence-room of the last-named church, the meeting
being called in the interest of the Y M. c. A.,
Col. Samuel Merrill presiding, the opening being
made by William a. Roll.
Rev Matthias L. Haines said that only forty-one
years ago George Williams came from the coun-
try to the great city of London and entered as an
apprentice or clerk in a large drygoods estab-
lshment, where there were about eighty other
young mer Only few of these were at all re-
lieiousy inclined, and most of them were leading
profigate lives. Williams began to pray for
plan whereby he might reach some of his COM
panions. He induced few to enter with him
into daily prayer meeting. At first there were
perhaps twelve, but the numbers grew, and be-
fore many months there was organized society
to promote the spiritual interests of young
men in the drapery and other trades, for such, L
think, was the title That was June 6, 1874,
and that is, / believe considered the foundation
of the Y M. c. A. of to-day-an association
which now belts the globe. and has branches in
Europe Asia Africa, North and South America,
Australia and New Zealand There are nearly
three thousand of these associations upon the
globe. In the United States the buildings and prop
erty of the Y. M. c. A. valued at SO, 500, 900.
''What God hath wrought" The purpose of the
association is the spiritual, intellectual and
social welfare of young men in our cities and
towns. am glad to plant myself souarely with
both feet upon the platform of this Christian
ISOLATION, and join with it's members in their
efforts TO promote the cause of Jesus Christ.
Some little while ago friend visited me from
the East and / took him to see the various
things that we here in Indianapolis, proud
of. l did not take him to SEQ the building occu-
pied by the Y. M. c. A. Of indianapolis. / wish
that within twelve months from this night our
friends might have building worthy of the as
ISOLATION
Colonel Merrill was the next speaker He
called to mind that thirty one years ago James
NJ. Ray. whose gracious me mory is green in all
the churches to-day, to four young men
and they went with him into little room of the
First Presbyterian Church, and there, at his
command, dubbed up spring which be-
came great stream of usefulness
and has been flowing on to this day. Soon after
there was large meeting in what was then
Wesley Chapel. James M Ray was not chair
man or secretary, nor one OF the speakers. He
was not man to let his right hand know what
his left hand did, but he it was who started the
good work.
Rev. E. J. Gantz said in looking over the
statistics he found that seventy-fve per cent.
of the young of this country did not even SO
q
ing. Even your sons and your brothers do not
attend divine services. This same statistical
table tells us that nearly all the
inmates of our jails, and peniten-
majority of those who drink liquor in this coun-
try are young men. In not identifying them
selves with the interests that belong to heaven.
. and in not following their highest duty, they are
prostituting and degrading all they possess to
practices that lead to dishonorabie grave. He
hoped that all wouid aid the v M e. A in thu cir
good work.
Rev. Dr. Gilbert said it gave him great pleas
ure to stand in any presence where he could
speak in behalf of young men. In every place
where his lot had been east he had given this or
ganization his heartiest sympathy and co-opera
ton, and in this city he will aid it in every way
possible Every wise man and woman
: looks nstnctively to the young for the nros-
The Doctor gave his ideas as to how young men
can be drawn into the church and into active
lgious life. He thought there was sinful and
marvellous neglect in this matter; that they
could easily be induced, not by patronzing airs,
but By genuine good will and kindness, to come
into the church.
Colonel Merrill explained the organization
and work of the international committee of the
and is composed of earnest business
Christian men. By their experience
they are able to direct the cause wisely through
out all the land. They have established associa-
tons IN the different colleges, and there are IN
these colleges 10. 600 members of these associa-
tons. How many red checked, clear-ey ed boys
in colleges enter into designations that ruin them
morally and physically. and how beneficial is
this association, which protects the young mans
purity This committee also looks to the spirit
ual welfare of the thousands of young Germans
who are coming into the country, and there is
work for it among the young men of the rapidly
increasing colored population.
The meeting closed with a collection for the
international committee New
AT EI.ETCHER=P ACE CHIIRCH