The Indianapolis journal., 1886-02-15
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE.
The Mass Meeting in the Interest of the
YIN. C. AS Building Project.
Addresses by H. Thane Miller. William Wal
lace, Gov. Gray End 0thers-The Needs
of the City's Homeless Young Men.

The mass-meeting at the Grand Opera-house
last night. to further the building project of the
Young Mems Christian Association was repre-
sentative in the highest degree of the moral, re-
lieious and intellectual worth Of the city. Par
quette, dress circle, boxes. balcony and gallery,
all were crowded with deeply-interested listen
ers, and during the two hours programme of
anthems hymns, songs and addresses there
seemed to be successive increase of something
| more than inspirational force in assuring the
success of the philanthropic enterprise
The addresses brought close to the
consideration of the people the
Associations need of new building, and while
subscriptions a. the time were not directly asked
for, it is very probable that the influence of the
evening will grow until the sum required is Sc
cured. On the stage were ministers, leading
business men, and well-organized choir. Thus
with Governor Gray to preside and the presence
of other distinguished citizens to give the appeal
| their indorsement there was nothing lacking to
| make the event one Of note.
| Following the first anthem, Governor Gray
was introduced as the chairman of the evening.
| Referring to the honor thus conferred upon him
| and giving in brief the demands of the Associa-
tion for a new building-for the old one
is not only untenable but one OF
| greater dimensions is required that
| the healthier forms of amusements can
be afforded to young men-he said if the best
work is to be accomplished young men must
have amusements. We must take human nat
ure as we find it. 1t cannot be controlled by ar
| bitrary rules, for what will amuse one will not
| another what is entertaining to some is rksome
to others. The old are apt to forget the require
| ments of the young, but he had great leniency
| for them. Mirth. recreation and pleasure is
necessary for them; but all efforts to this end
must be directed in proper channels. II this en-
| terprise is to be successful it must be managed
| on basis broad enough to meet all the proper
needs of the buoyancy of young lfe Everyone
should be interested in those who are to come
after and take the places in the stage of lfe-in
business, in politics, in craftsmanship and
| in the professions But none of the
| affairs of life can be successfully managed un-
| less character underlies them. No business or
government can succeed without fidelity and So
| briefly on the part of those upon whom they de-
pend. If this enterprise is carried out it will do
| great deal for the father, mother, sister, for
| fidelity in business and for our country's good
After the Governors address the Rev. E. j.
| CAN'T of the Central Christian Church, read
| Scriptural lesson from tina first chapter Of Hag.
| gai, wherein the prophet reproveth the people
| for hesitating to build the Lords house. The
reverend gentleman said that the occasion was
| similar to the one that brought them together
tonight The Israelites had been in bondage
but Cyrus permitted them to return to
Jerusalem. but then they said the
| time had not come to build the temple. But.
under the reproof of the prophet, so, 900 people
about half as many as there are in Indian
apolis-spent $4O0. 900 in erecting to God beau
tiful and substantial structure Prayer was
then offered by 81. Thane Miller, of Cincinnati,
following which came the singing by choir and
audience of the gospel hymn, "All Hail the
Power of Jesus Name"
| ADDRESS OF HON. WILLIAM WALLACE.
The Hon. William Wallace, of this city, was
| then introduced and read the following address:
| My Friends-It will be delightful if some word
can be spoken, some thought thrown out to- night
that will influence this large audience to the per
/ formance of simple duty. You are here repre-.
| sentatves of all the churches and ali the honora-
| BILE business interests of this city, and in
| meeting the purpose of which is to enlist the
| sympathy-yes more, if possible, the
p1ssens in " behalf Of ths n' Young Yonne
| Mems Christian Association of Indianapolis.
| The time has passed when it shall be required
to vindicate the usefulness the necessity OF such
associations in our large cities. Their beneicent
| influences have been too long and widely known
| and felt to admit Of any serious discussion or
doubt What we want to do tonight is to make
| known the local necessities of our own Associ
alton, and make you all rejoice in an oppor-
49, k-sL r.
| ter endowment, and, as a consequence, its wider
| usefulness.
| It is known to you all that the Association has
| a most valuable lot without incumbrance. and in
| most desirable locality. You may tall know
| that the building upon that lot is worthless,
| wholly unfit for the purposes OF the Association,
| so that it has come to pass, either new build
| ing, adequate and appropriate to its needs. must
! be built or the Association, it's plans, purposes
and influence sink into insignifcance and decay.
| When such an alternative is presented, will the
| good men and women of Indianapolis hesitate
| as to their dutyl Will they not cheerfuy and
with aacrty contribute what they can to build
| up strengthen and perpetuate an institution that
| reaches out so kindly, and takes hold of the
young men of our city, and places them under
the purest and best social ,:oral and Intellectual
| influences found outside of home and the
| church?
The ground belonging to the Association is
worth, at a fair valuation. $35. 900. The pro-
| posed building will cost not to exceed $35, 900
more Now. the question soon to be determined
is. can that amount be raised in the city
of Indianapolis. The gentlemen having
| the matter specially in charge have
| not allowed themselves to doubt it.
They expect every man and woman called upon
| to give what they can, allowing their judgment
| AID conscience to decide the matter. Then,
| what is given let it be done cheerfully. A gift
| grudgingly made is not twice blessed 1t does
| not bless him that gives whatever may be the
| good to him that receives.
+ Now, father and mother, we come to
| you in behalf of that bright boy by
| your side for whose welfare you would
give your life's blood if necessary, and ask you
| to consider our appeal That boy is social in
his nature You cannot help it. You may make