The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-11-19
Y. N. c. A.
The Union Mass Meeting at City
Hall Last Night.

The Young Mems Christian Association
closed its week Of prayer with a union mass
meeting at City Hall last night. At an early
hour people began to pour into the hall and
at o'clock when the exercises began every
seat was occupied. The Portland Male
Quartette was present and interspersed the
programme with delightful vocal music. The
meeting was opened with singing by the con-
gregation, and next Rev. A. 7. Dunn read a
selection from the scriptures. Prayer was
then offered by Rev. j. r. Crosser. Mr..
w. S. Corey. who presided over the meeting.
said: 1--WE have met together tonight that
we may fittingly observe the end Of the week
Of prayer, which we have been keeping
This observance Of week Of prayer Is a Gus.
tom not of long standing, having originated
In 1875. Last year 692 associations in the
country observed this week Of prayer"
Rev. Frank 7. Bayley. of State street
church was introduced as the FIRST speaker.
He said in substance: II feel l should do
injustice TO the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation IL 1 occupied all the time even that
has been allowed me to address you. have
been asked to speak on the work Of the
Young Mems Christian Association and its
relation to the churches and their work. /
have heard Of many places In which there is
an existing jealousy, a rivalry. not to say op-
position In churches against societies. There Is
no more natural rivalry between the two than
between the right and left hand of a mans
body. The Young Mems Christian Associa-
tian has for its Justification q special work
xutf al II ha ia "a
all the young men Of all the churches. Young
men must especially be labored for by young
men. Young men especially in our large
cities need to be sought after. The local
churches in our large cities and towns can
not do for our young men all that should be
done. The doors should be open to them
every day in the week. / would that our
doors were open all the week. Our Catholic
brethren have greeat advantage over us
there. Their doors are open all the week
for all souls to worship. We do heartily be-
lleye In the Young Mems Christian Associ
alton and we propose to stand by It, We
will send out best young men to labor In its
behalf"
Mr.. Z. A. Lawrence, State secretary Of
the Association, spoke briefly on local and
State work. referring to the difficulties ex-
perienced in many places in establishing so
cieties. He said "There never was tint
in the history Of the Young Mems Christian
Association Of this country when there wa
| such an interest taken In this work by bust
ness men and by women as there Is today
More money Is being put into 1t than evel
before. The organization has worlds com
mittee that met last August. This commit
tee meets every three years. Then therI
are International and State committees
Some States have three or four men EN-
ployed all the time In this work. In Kansas
$4,000 was appropriated for State work thi:
year. There Is no State In New England
where this work has been done as long as II
has in this State, where II Is so far behind
| think you are willing to give when yoT
know what Is needed, and within twelve
months hope to be invited to lay a cornel
stone for Young Mems Christian Associa-
land"
ii. F. Williams, railroad secretary of the
International committee, said in brief, upon
being introduced by the president:
"The Young Mems Christian Association /:
one OF the agencies of the Lord which He has
called into use for this peculiar time. This
Is an age Of restlessness. People are not sat
isfed. People Of other lands are coming here
and our own people do not stay at home a:
West and from West to East. In this rest
less age men want to hasten. They want fast
horses. fast train service, fast steamboats,
There is mixture of people. They come
here from Germany. Sweden, and France.
We get their good things and their vices.
This Is an age Of combination. Everything
wants to form into associations. In all
ranks and classes we meet these associations
We endeavor to meet all young men In al
classes of life. There are 273 college associa
fNx.c In. Ia luu 4
a secretary is employed to labor among them
think the business men Of this country will
see the need Of building for the Young
Mems Christian Association for all their de-
partments."
In closing Mr.. Williams referred to his
work among the Dakota Indians, stating thu
there are now several Indian Associations.
A collection was then taken, after which
Rev. Mr.. Wright pronounced the benediction.