The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-04
THE NEEDS OF YOUNG MEN.
Inauguration of q Public Movement to
Erect a New 7. NJ. C. A. Building.
A Striking Contrast Between the Allure
ments offered for the Young Men by the
Vicious and Moral Influences.

The meeting at Meridian-street NJ. E. Church,
last evening, under the auspices Of the Young
Mems Christian Association, was not as
largely attended as was expected Many
were prevented from being present doubt
less, by the disagreeable weather. The
president of the Y. NJ c. A. stated that
letter had been received from John v. Farwell,
of Chicago, announcing that it would be impos-
sible for him to be present, but it afforded him
pleasure to be able to introduce to the audience
Mr.. w. G. Douglass, of Boston. secretary of the
Y. M c. A. of Massachusetts and Rhode Island,
young man of prominence in the work of
Christian organizations.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Douglass said
that the tendency of the population is to congre-
gate in cities; they are the vortexes which are
swallowing up the best manhood of the country
homes. The social problems of to-day and the
future are to be solved In the cities and the i'm
portant factors in these great problems are the
young men. There is much of concern gather
ing about these young men. The words of she
apostle who wrote, II write unto ye young men,
because you are strong" are applicable in the
solution of the social problems which are being
agitated in the present day. The young men .ars
strong for good or evil. and careful attention
should be given to the character of the conditions
or surroundings which are likely to influence
them. Where are the young men of Indianap-
oils to spend their leisure hours in the evening
under what influence and what surroundings
Upon these depend his value to home. to bust
ness, to state and to society. There are 49, 600
young men in Indianapolis When l strolled
down the streets of your city last evening 1
found great many bright places where young
men could enjoy themselves. Were these places
provided by the good people of the city2 From
the sedatelooking beer kegs that observed
standing on the sidewalks / should think that
they were not How many saloons are there in
Indianapolis There are 400 places of degrade
ton and vice, open doors of hell, open for the
young men of Indianapolis. In these places
there are glittering chrystals. tables with
to read, and games for them to amuse tLam-
selves over. These 400 places have probably
800 men employed, and there are millions Of
dollars invested in this line of business all for
the specific purpose of meeting the social wants
of the young men during their leisure hours,
and to drag them down to degradation. How
many places are there in Indianapolis provided
by the good people to meet the social needs of
young menl The Public Library and the So
called Castle of the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION. Only two good places against 400 bad
ones. The chances that the young man
walking down the street. seeking place to
spend his evening pleasantly, will drift into the
wrong place. There is only one regularly
ness it is to prevent young men from
going wrong, and there is an investment of only
$685. 600 against millions in the business which
has for it's specific purpose the dragging down of
young men. Will you not. by the grace of God,
determine that whatever else may be weak this
union for the good Of young men shall be
strong?
In mentioning the benefits to be derived from
speaker said that it had been stated by promi-
nent physician that the best cure for consump-
ton WAS the course Of instruction given in the
Boston gymnasium. In the Y. M G. A. in that
city there are over 1000 young men enrolled in
the eighteen industrial night classes, who re-
ceive instruction in different branches of
study A few years ago the railroad
companies having lines entering ST. Louis
erected Y. NJ. G. A. building for their employees
there. and they regard it the best investment
they have made. They support the institution,
and have expressed a willingness to contribute
towards enlarging the capacity of the building
whenever it becomes necessary, because the in
fuence which it has had upon their en-
ployes has been of great practical benefit to
them. Mr.. Vanderbilt, in his will, made sub
stantial provisions for the Young Mems Christian
Association of New York, and he did it because
he knew that good could be done by the organi-
cation. He had seen the results of the work
among his employees on the New York Central
These business men who have put over "a. 000,-
600 into Christian association buildings during
the last four years knew what they were do
Ing. Inc rotLen Olu DuNulng tnat We have
in this city," said the speaker, 'has been con-
demned by the fire department, and is wholly
unfit for the of our organization. Away
with it. 1t discounts Christianity before the
people-it brings contempt upon it 1t would be
better to have no building at all than one that
misrepresents US. We shall erect building that
shall be bright with the work of young men,"
Thomas G. Day, the president of the associa-
ton, at the conclusion of the remarks of Mr..
Douglass, said that he desired that it should be
clearly understood that the Y. NJ. c. A. is not in
any way in antogonism to the churches
1t is the outgrowth of the energy
and aggressive power of the churches-it is the
child of the church. The association desires to
erect building in Indianapolis which could be
made attractive to young men. 1.-THE city needs
a gymnasium" he said ''tkat is not lager beer
saloon, as the present one is. We want place
whore the young men can find musical instru-
ments, books the literature of the day, and
where they can have good time without mixing
immortality with hilarity."
A reception will be rendered Mr.. Douglass at
The residence of Mr. Day, on North Meridian
street, tomorrow evening when the erection of
a new building for the Y NJ G. A. will be dis
cussed. although nothing viii be done at that
time toward raising money for the purpose.