Bridgeton pioneer., 1886-12-02
A SPLENDID INSE TUITION.

suited in meeting being called in
Sheppards Hall on the evening of
Jan. "a, 1859, for that purpose, and in
response to the call a large number of
our citizens assembled at the meeting,
prominent among whom were the late
L. Q. G. Elmer, T. A. Ginenback,
Enoch Hanthorn, Morton Mills, the
late Jesse D. Claypoole, the late R. c.
Nichols Isaac Laning, and others. A
permanent organization was effected
by the election of the late Jesse ID.
Claypoole, President; F. A. Ginenback,
Secretary. Committees were ap-
pointed to effect Il permanent institu-
ton, and the following preamble and
resolution were submitted and unani-
mously adopted:
WHEREAS, a number of the young men
of the different denominations have
been actuated with desire to pro-
mote evangelical religion in Bridge
ton and vicinity, and feel impressed
with the Importance of concentrated
effort in accomplishing this object;
| therefore
| Resolued, That we, the Christian
young men of Bridgeton and vicinity,
do form ourselves into a Young Mems
| Christian Association for mutual as
sistance in promoting the Kingdom of
| Christ in this community.
After a few meetings a permanent
organization was made and the Asso-
citation rented a room in the second
story of the brick building near the
Commerce street bridge, and now
owned by Mrs. CARL. Here library
was opened and contained quite
large number of books. We are un-
able to state who was the first librar-
ian of the Association, but among the
first was Mr.. Isaac Laning. of this
city. The Association never achieved
any very brilliant success there, the
principal features of it being lack of
funds, and always in debt. The Asso-
citation continued in these rooms for
about four years, when they moved
into the rooms over Mr. John NJ. Ian
nings jewelry store, now occupied by
DIR. Henry Laning as dentist Office.
They continued here about ten years
perhaps a little longer-when they
took the room which they have lately
vacated, over Theis' dry goods store,
now occupied by Frank G. Smith,
Esq, as law office.
While in their rooms over John NJ.
Laning's store, the Association be-
came involved heavily in debt, and for
a time it seemed as if it must go under.
Mrs. Smith, mother of Messrs. Oberlin
and Fred Smith, became very deeply
interested in the great work of the AS.
sociation, and resolved to do all in her
power to help the work along, and
remove the debt She made thor
ough canvass of the town, going from
house to house and soliciting subscip-
tions toward paying off the indebted
ness. She was very successful.
Enough money was raised in this way
for the liquidating of the debt, and it
was removed, with some money re-
naming which was used in replenish-
ing the library After the removal to
the rooms over Mr.. Theis' store,
Messrs James J. Reeves, John M.
Laning, Howard Fithian and others,
became deeply in earnest in this work,
and the library started off in very
promising condition. New furniture,
new books, new rooms. Everything
bright and cheerful. The Association
took a new lease of life and were
going very smoothly indeed. In a few
years, however, the interest com
menced to flag, the attendance dropped
off. the books commenced to go down,
and there was no way for them to help
it, The people were applied to, but
the needs of the institution was not
seen, and they refused to aid. The
furniture became dilapitated, carpets
worn out, and could not be replaced.
This is the way the Association eked
out miserable existence for few
years.
About two years ago, new interest
seemed to take place in the hearts of
the people, and the question was
again agitated. This led to meeting
being called to be held in the Opera
House, at which gentlemen from the
Y. M. G. A. would be present from
Philadelphia. The house was crowded,
ringing and eloquent speeches were
made. The people were shown what
a great field there was in this city for
such work. The words took root in
the minds of the people and sprang up.
Money was raised without trouble,
and larger and richer rooms were
agitated as better for the Association.
Accordingly the rooms now occupied
by them in Robbins building was pro-
cured, and to-day they have one of
the finest set of rooms of any of the
associations in the state.
A brief description of the rooms and
lihro ry M W ,,rovo ipfarocf;pO Eptor-