Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-04-16

year of existence as an association. If
we reflect that nearly half of the present
century had passed before such an organi
cation as a Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation was known, our own will, of ne
cessity, be classed among the older orga
nizations of its class. The fact renders
our work subject to criticism, but it is to
be hoped that the years have produced re
suits worthy of 50 long an experience,
To-day, perhaps as never before in mod
ern times, it is manifestly important that
we should have strong, sound and
healthy body as the dwelling place of
vigorous mind. Then, in one sense, the
first element of culture to which our as
ISOLATION should devote itself is the physi-
cal, and although this has been set forth
before our people in all its Importance, yet
we must report an entire deficiency of
even the simplest appliances for carrying
out this work. We should not speak
with so much confidence respecting physi-
cal culture, il it had not been found by the
largest and most successful associations
of the world to be valuable not alone for
the results it yields in its own peculiar
province but for bringing men nearer to
aud into the midst of soul saving in
huences. Each day growing necessity
of our association is Tor well equipped
gymnasium.
The social features of our work have
been quite well sustained and are encour-
aging but we would be nearly or quite
helpless in making this department at
tractive and successful were we to be de.
priVed of the cooperation OF our Ladies
Auxiliary. We cannot speak too highly
OF their assistance, especiallyof the perfect
willingness with which it has been rem
dered when we nave sought it,
The association has endeavored to rec
ognize all young men who are in our midst,
especially those who have come as strang
ers to make this their home for a season,
therefore, in accord with this principle,
to the students of the state University
and the high school a special reception
was rendered in september last. and near
ly 100 honored the occasion with their
presence. In the same month recep-
ton was given Mr.. Edgar Beck
with, the retiring secretary, i'll recOgnl-
ton of the faithful performance of duty.
In like manner the medical students
were welcomed as they came TO us IN
March and were greeted with cheering
words and Hearty hand shakes. On May
Both special reception was given to the
Grand Army of the Republic and Sons of
Veterans, made specially enjoyable by
the refreshments which the ladies provid-
ed and by remarks from various citizens.
The annual holidays, Thanksgiving
and New Years, were each closed by a re
ception to the members themselves;
compliment from the Ladies' Auxiliary.
Both We're fully appreciated as well as
enjoyed by the association
Not least among the attempts to stimu-
late the social spirit in our young men
has been the occasional socials, informal i'll
character, where games, music, and the
simplest forms of refreshments, united
with friendly conversation made the even
ing enjoyable We teel that there is great
reason to continue this feature OF work.
Young men are frequenters of our sociais
who are not reached by our churches,
and gradually the association is leading
some into better surrounding habits. The
parlOr and its games attract large num-
beers of young men, and at the present
time the attendance surpasses that OF ait
the previous and consequently into better
years
From o'clock in the morning until 10
at night, during six days of the week and
each Sabbath afternoon. from2 until the
door to the reading room oscllateS on its
hinges almost with the regularity of the
pendulum so constant ana so frequent are
he visits During the coolest days of winter
as well as the delightful days of summer,
the room has presented an attractive APP
pearance, second to none in the city which
solicits the presence of young men.
1t has been the ann to give to give to all
the gentlemen of our city as complete "A
line of reading, secular and religious AS
our appropriation for this purpose will
allow In addition to the papers for which
we subscribe, large number are contri
buted by the publishers and our business
men. That these facilities are becoming
even more thoroughly appreciated its man
! ifest i'll the fact that 33,1l visits were
paid the room during the year, or 5000
/ : bnr hnX Atttf.h Il
reading has been supplied to various pub
lie institutions and to private families of
the city, also at the hotels and barber
shops. Since the association at Winooski
has opened reading room, they have
been supplied with the magazines which
come from our tables. In these ways il
has been the purpose III view to accom-
plish all that our reading room may in
the cause of intelligence, and the associa
ton has reason to feel gratified with the
results, for in comparison with much larg
er associations we will take commendablt
rank
Five entertainments in the course have
been given with evident appreciation by
the people. This is a feature of the work
worthy of the highest commentator. q BY
it the higher type of entertainment is helC
before our people and in the minds Of tn,
young people a taste for such is stimulated
perhaps established. 1t is to he hoped tha
the lecture committee will not abate thei
interest or pride in submitting to oul
citizens the best talent which our country
can offer.
Circumstances have not favored tn,
establishing OF evening classes as was de
sired but such may be expected TO be
portion of the work in the future.
The boys have been at work during tn,
year, but their report will be Interestingly,
presented by their retiring president, Car
Wells. We have spoken of secondary de
partments of our work thus far; thos,
which are simply means to given enc
which is the exaltation of Jesus Christ il
the hearts of young men, and the saving
of some through his tender mercy.
To this end we hold each Sabbath at 3:3
O'Clock p. m, the Gospel Service for younl
men, conducted by those who are interest
ed in its glorious work, At the AZ meet
ings held there has been an attend
ance of POI, an average of 81
This service has grown in power anC
interest of late to the qualification of all
The young mems Bible class has me
40 times with an average of :, but the in
terest we feel IN it and the good it is do
ing our young men bears no relation tC
a. nt ia