Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-13
FOR THE YOUNG MEN.
What the Y. N. G. A. Aims 70 Accom-.
plish.

| 1VR A"L IVGN0 MENe
|
What the Y. m. c. A. Aims to Accom-.
| pIish.
| LOOKING AFTER THE MENTAL, SOCIAL AND
| PHYSICAL, AS WELL AS SPIRITUAL WELFARE
| OF YOUNG MEN-THE EFFORT TO LIFT THE
| DEBT OF THE AssoCIATION-wHArI Is HOPED
| FOR THE FUTURE.
| "You have heard this talk about a public
library in this city," remarked Mr.. B. II. War
| ner TO a STAR reporter.
| eyes, assented the reporter, 81 have heard
| something of the sort"
"Well, so have l." continued Mr.. Warner,
sand when hear SO much said about advan-
| cling the educational interests of the city and
| doing something for the young men and boys,
| SO that they will grow up TO be men of ability
and usefulness in the community, wonder
| that the citizens do not take hold of the means
right at their hands and help on the work al
ready organized to accomplish this end. sup
pose that my attention has been called espe-
cialiy to this subject by the fact that am chair
man OF the building committee Of the Young
Mems Christian association, and in conjunction
with others have been trying recently to raise
enough money to pay off the Indebtedness on
able to extend the scope of its work and take
the place in the moral, physical and educa-
tonal life of the young men in this District that
burdens. have sometimes wondered at what
seemed the lack of public spirit among the citi-
zens here in regard to the association.
WHAT OTHER CITIES DO.
why, in the United States" continued Mr..
Warner, "nearly one hundred associations
own their buildings, or at least the property is
held In trust for association use. Many of these
buildings vie in architecture and size, with the
nnest puoaS oo ldings in the cities where they
phia, Boston, baltimore and Chicago associa-
lions have buildings costing from $25O,OOO TO
$ooO,OOO. The most complete one is the
Brooklyn building, costing almost $500, 900,
the gilt OF one man, Mr.. Frederick Marquand,
VINO gave it with the proviso that the citizens
endowment fund to provide for the running ex-
penses OF the association. Atlanta, Ga, city
Vile, Tenn, with only 40, 600 population, has
secured $4,000 for new buildings for associa-
ton work.
II honestly believe" continued Mr. Warner,
that if the citizens here knew what the assO-
ciation is, and what sort of work it is doing in
our midst, that there would be NO difficulty in
securing the funds necessary TO enable the
Work 10 be organized AZ it should be- The situ-
alton is Just this, referring To the finances trst
Inc building now occupied by the association
was formerly known the Washington Club
mouse, and Was purchased from the American
Lille insurance company, OF Philadelphia, for
S32,OOO. When the association entered into
possession of the property, October 1t, 1882, it
paid 81 200 cash and gave ten notes of $4,000
each, bearing SIX per cent interest, secured by
deed of trust Tor the balance. These notes were
drawn So that one became due every year, but
could be paid before maturity if the association
had funds to cancel them. Five of these notes
have been paid since 1882. Five of these notes
are TO be met with the interest when paid.
committee, composed of members OF the
board of managers, aided by members OF the
association, solicited funds to purchase the
building. With three exceptions all of the sub
scriptions are amounts vi $500 or less, the bulk
being in smaller subscriptions of 500 or less.
The greater part of this has been given by
mem bers of the association, who have for years
been contributing toward its financial as we'll
as spiritual support. The property is held in
trust Tor the association by Il board OF trustees
VIM. j. Sibley, Vim. Window, Chas. +. Foster,
Robert q. Fox, Geo, Ryneal, jr., James GiltiI-
Ian, +. l.. Moore, l.. NJ. Gallaudet, Matthew G.
Emery. Siuce the building was purchased an
addition has been erected at a cost OF $4,000,
which is used for gymnasium purposes"
PAYING OFF THE DEBT.
"What means have been adopted to pay Off
this debt?' asked the reporter.
"A building committee has this interest in
charge" was the reply. "The members are e.
b. Bailey, c. +. Foster, JOS. Bowes, J. G. Ames,
!. q. kimbal, w. II. II. Smith. Several meet
ings have been held, attended by other men,
berS of the aSSOclatlOn-nOt members of this
committee-in which those present pledged to
give, or secure through subscriptions, sums
amounting to over 1000. Of this amount
pledged. the greater part has been secured and
a goOdiy portion paid into the treasury. The
committee is determined TO push the canvass
until the necessary funds are provided to free
the association building from debt. To accom-
pIish this the committee believe it will be ne
cessary to appeal to every friend Of young men
will be made"
THE OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
"What does the association aim to accom-
plishe" inquired the reporter.
1.-The association is unsectarian in character"
responded Mr.. Warner, land aims to benefit
young men in four ways, viz, spiritually, men,
tally. socially. and physically. Three meetings
for young men only are held every week a
daily service at II clock, gospel meeting Sun
day at p. IN. Bible class seIni-weekiy Sun
day school teachers meeting Saturday at $50
p. IN. These services all under the direc-
ton OF committee and are the means OF de-
veloping young men in Christian work. For
mental Improvement there are four educational
classes, German. French, elocu.ion and sieno-
graphy; these classes are in session from Octo-
Der 10 May, two lessons each week; literary
society for debates. essays, readings ETC., re-
ference library of 200 volumes. and a reading
room provided with 100 of the leading daily
magazines; free course Of I popular "' Ies-
1a5ss a every Monday EVENING in jan
in March. The concerts, social receptions,
entertainments, handsome parlors for social
conversation are among the social attrac-
gymnasium in the city, therefore it offers
through the gymnasium the only public place
for physical development This department
Is under the direction OF Prof. Louis Il. Sprenycl
competent instructor, who deyotes his entire
time to young men who wish to strengthen the
body as well as improve the mind. The GYM
nasium Is thoroughly equipped
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE
snow you see what we are doing and what
We propose to do" resumed Mr.. Warner. ave
are already reaching a large number of young
men in this city, and of course our usefulness
could be increased if We had only the means.
The interest that we now pay is a great burden,
but If our property freed from incum-
brances we would be able to do a great deal
more than we are now aOle to do. For instance,
there is nothing in this city like the Franklin
institute, of Philadelphia, or the Cooper insti-
tute, of New York, where lectures on me-
chanical and industrial subjects are given
free to all. They are no doubt a prolific
source OF improvement to the young men. |
We afford similar privileges now, but to the
extent that it is done in the places named. We
however, look forward to the time when there
shall be a large hall over the gymnasium. and
where lecturers can be invited to talk to young
men on such subjects as mechanics, chemistry
electricity, history, art. &c. II a public spirit
can be aroused in this matter, and the work of
the association is known, am sure that there
will be no dfficultyin securing FROM the citizens
all the funds that needed. I An glad that
THE STAR has offered to publish the suDscrip-
lions In its columns
THE AGE OF BUILDINGS.