The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-12
A WORTHY WORK.

new building Of the Young Mems Christian
Association was opened to the public. Only
few of those who, for score of years or
more. had been doing the best they could to
| keep alive the mere form of an organization
/ in miserable old shell, know the obstacles
cured, or can realize the vast difference be-
tween the Association as it is and the Associ-
alton as it was. Now the Y. M. G. A. is one
of the recognized institutions of the city; its
building is one of the chief attractions, and
its work is daily growing more comprehensive,
and must daily grow more and more into the
confidence Of the public. During the time
when the few who held the organization to-
gether used to meet in one of the dingy
rooms and pray and talk over the possible fut
ure, there were not small number of our
rbest citizens, men of broad ideas generally,
and of unquestioned public spirit,
who doubted the necessity Of an
entire new building the scale
proposed, but thought sufficient could be
secured by the Encouragement of the existing
rattle-trap at an expense of few thousand
dollars. Others, also, thought it would be a
good thing to dispose Of the site of the build
ing, buy cheaper lot further up town and
away from the business quarter of the city,
and with the money left from the sale of the
more valuable ground, put up good enough
structure. That both these propositions were
radically wrong, arising from misconception
of the association work, is now amply demon
strated. An absolutely new building was an
imperative necessity, and the Association
must be in the midst of those whom it is
intended to help, and not located where it is
not needed-the trouble with so many expen-
sive churches with their well-to-do and ease
loving membership. Indeed, the vital cues
ton now is, whether the present building
will prove to be sufficient for the demands
soon to be made upon it.
AS we have said, it is scarcely six months
since the building was opened, and yet there
are nearly eight hundred members on the roll
The well-appointed gymnasium, under q COM
petent medical director and instructor, with
its bathrooms and bowling alleys. is afford
ing needed recreation and physical exercise to
hundreds of professional men, clerks and
others of sedentary habits. The reading
room is reasonably we'll supplied with current
newspapers and periodicals, and at all times
of the day and night hasmore or less visitors.
The game-rooms, with chess and other
amusements, are used by young men, thus
allured from other and evil associations
at those hours when they are freed from the
demands of business and work. The parlors
of the Associa / are already the headquar-
tiers for large number of the
auxiliary church benevolent societies and
other associations having to do with
the charitable and benevolent work of
az and o'clock. the assembly-room is filed
with earnest Sunday school teachers in
the study of the next days lesson,
meeting that is growing in interest and value
in every feature. AT night the classrooms
in the third story are occupied with young
men who are given free instruction in num-
Der Of the important practical branches of
business education, such shorthand and
type-writing, bookkeeping, languages, etc.
A class in vocal music will soon be formed,
and there is already large one in free
hand drawing. The chapel of the building is
used on Sundays for gospel meetings, and ev-
cry day prayermeeting is held in the rooms.
Arrangements are on foot for evangellstic
services every Sunday night. SO that while
the practical secularities, as they may be
called, are being carried on. the religion
and devotional work is correspondingly
pushed. A series of popular and instructive
lectures has been arranged for, some of which
have already been given, one by Hon. Thorn
rs II. Nelson aud one by Prof. Coulter and
another entertainment is billed for Tuesday
night Of this week. A number Of social en-
tertainments have been given under the su
pervision of the Ladies' Auxiliary, AID more
are contemplated.
We make this brief resume Of the work of
the Y. M. G. Association to indicate what
q busy hive of practical industry it is, to
attract the attention of the possibly thought
less to its usefulness, and to commend it to
the Christian AMI business confidence and
support Of the whole community. 1t is hoped
to have ], 900 or 1000 members by the lst of
April, at the furthest. This is not an enthu-
siastic hope. Such membership the work