The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-25
THE Y. M, G, A. WORK.

4
1t is very proper that there should be a
jubilee meeting over the reaching of the
$25, 900 line, whereby the subscriptions to the
fund for new Y M C. A. building are made
binding thus putting it within the power Of
the trustees to proceed at once with the enter
prise. Under ordinary circumstances it would
be quite absurd to go to the trouble of holding
praise meeting because the wise and Chris
tian people of city of the size of Indian
apolis had given SO paltry sum as $25, 900
| for home for an association whose work
commends itself to intelligent people every
where; but the fund in this city has
been raised after so many backsets and
over SO many unusual obstacles that jubilee
by those who have had faith in the work, and
have contributed honorably Of their effort and
money, is decidedly in order Over the dead
( ness of feeling, so prevalent in this city, that
indianapolis can do nothing; over the croak-
ings, and earnings, and sneers, and jeers of
men who might have the grace to hold their
tongues if they have not the sense and public
spirit to aid in worthy movement; over the
cold hostility of protested friends; over the Sc
rious setback given by some of the subscrip-
tons, over all kind and manner Of oppo-
sition, the Y. M. C. A. fund has
steadily, though slowly, grown, until now the
limit has been practically reached, and within
few months indianapolis will have home
for young men worthy Che city and appropri-
ate for the work to which it will be dedicated.
While the $25, 900 line has been attained,
there are still $4,000 more necessary to pay
for the building. beside what may be required
after the building is finished, to furnish it
ready for complete occupancy. The needed
money will be forthcoming, and we believe
that the new home will be dedicated without
dollar of debt, in which event the income
from the building will be sufficient to
take the Association out of the
field as a solicitor, and put it on a sound bust
ness basis financially. This is the goal to
which all effort should be directed. 1t ought
TO be easier to raise the ten thousand or fifteen
thousand dollars required now that the enter
prise is an assured success. There are many
people who will not give while thing is prob
lematical. When it is certain, they want to
have name and place with it, and to feel
themselves part of it. ALI such have now
an opportunity to satisfy their pride or con-.
science, and to help good and worthy cause.
The Year Book of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association has just been issued, and
some of its figures are suggestive and full of
interest. The past year has been one Of
marked progress in all departments Of the
work, and especially so with regard to build
ings. Seventeen new buildings have been
completed during the year and twenty others
are in course of erection. There are now
ninety Association buildings in the United
States and Canada, and the net value of Asso-
citation property aggregates So, 040, 178. Indi-
annapolis will add to this list, by the next year,
building that will rank with the best in the
country Libraries aggregating 272, 624 vol
umes, and worth 1898, 1863, are reported in 365
associations. There are IA reading-rooms,
with daily average attendance of 22,587
young men. There are gymnasiums in 131
associations, and other means Of physical cult
ure, such as rowing, baseball and
outing clubs, bowling alleys, etc., and
| 500 report 666 Bible classes, with an ag-
gregate average attendance of 7,340
There are 497 men constantly employed as
general secretaries, librarians and gymnasium
managers. There are 1,066 associations in
this country, including the college, railroad,
German, colored and Indian branches. The
annual current expenses of these thousand
societies amount to over 100000. There are
$50 associations in Germany. 70 in France,
$40 in Great Britain, 491 in Holland, 8 in
Russia, in China, in Japan, in India IL
in Africa, Ia in Australia, etc. 1t is in an
association and work of this kind that Indian
! apolis is about to take its place with new
and thoroughly equipped building. 1t is an
event in which every enterprising, thought
full, moral, not to say Christian, citizen should
/ take honorable pride, and be sure to have an
! honorable Fart.