The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-04
REPORT OFAYEAR'SW WORK
INTERESTING BUSINESS MEETING or
THE Y. M. O. A. MONDAY NIGHT.
Secretary Laumaster Submits His Re-
port for the Month Just Closed. and
Follows with Resume of tho Years
Progress.


Progress. hf
The Young Mems Christian association
met on Monday night to transact bust
ness pertaining TO the work among young
men. The usual number Of reports were
read, which showed that the young men
are in earnest and mean to have success
crown their efforts Following is the sec.
retary's report
Total number OF visitors TO rooms for all
purposes, including religious meetings,
100; rooms open twenty-seyen days, with
an average daily attendance Of visitors
from all parts OF the country, 80; gospel
meetings. 8, with an average attendance
of thirty-iour; gospel meetings held by
the boys branch, 4, with an average at
tendance OF fifteen; gymnasium meetings.
z, with an average attendance OF seven;
orchestra meetings, .; business meetings,
!; meetings OF ladies' auxiliary committee,
T. cottage meetings, D; Bible trainers
classes, 2; visits 10 sick young men, 10;
young men seeking employment, o; letters
OF intoduction received, 2; letters OF intro
duction given, |; young men seeking aid,
10; aided, s; counseled, 8; referred 10
boarding-houses, 4; requests for prayer, IL;
letters, papers, etc, received, 81; letters
written by young men aud Others
at the rooms, SOL; exchanges received
during the month from the Avalanche
and Il. Lowenstein x Bros, and these, In
turn, have been sent 10 several Of the
county institutions. Dues received dur
ing the month from renewals and new
membership, 1850"
Friends OF the association are manifest
ing their appreciation Of the work by their
subscriptions and attendance upon the
services held from time 10 time, and IL 10
hoped that in few months the Memphis
association will be IN position TO do more
work than ever. To this end It's officers
and members are working.
The secretary, having completed his flrst
year with the association, read the follow
ing report:
To the President Board Of Directors and Mem.
Of Memphis. Tenn;
conference.-the record OF association
work, as kept by your general secretary,
covers period Of but twelve months, al
though he IA more or less familiar with its
history since liz organization In 1883. Its
influence has always been ON the side OF
religion, sound morality, and OF law and
order. Since the time Of its organization IL
has had for liz main object the winning Of
Young men 10 Christ, and yet II has not |
done all that u might have done for the |
glory OF God and the good OF men, but for |
what II has done II today receives the com. |
mcndation Of good people. Some mistakes |
have been made, and perhaps some dc. |
parturcs from liz specific object have been |
followed 10 it, dctriment, and yet God is |
blessing our efforts, and We feel SURF that /
In the near future We will DO in tho front /
ranks oi association work.
OF course, H. growth at times has been
slow, and Il has passed through days Of
trial and encouragement, some of them 80
dark and trying that hal IL not been ami.
mated by lofty purpose, Il would not
have reached lie fourth anniversary. hut
these dark days in our history have been
experienced by almost every association
now IN existence.
Association work "a no longer an OK.
pertinent. The time IN too far advanced IN
the history OF the Young Mems Christian
association IN America 10 suppose for
momen, that u can he failure In all
our large cities io,lay ran he seen buildings
crectcd ior the purpose of saving Young
men, and twenty-five years has demon.
sirited beyond a doubt that. NJ an adjunct
% the church of Christ. existing for the
church, the Young Mems Christian nSso.
ciaiion has proven an important iacior in
reaching this most important class Of
people.
In the larger cities no argument Is NJ.
quircd 10 convince men OF the usefulness
Of association work, as II Il a settled fact.
hut IN districts where the work Ia not NO
well known, IL affairs arr sometimes aucs.
toned. This state Ui things, however, ex.
lists only among tho-c who do not thor.
oughly understand the objects and aims Of
the association, and Who condemn without
n knowledge II the work To all such We
extend u most cordial invitation 10 visit
our rooms and find ont for themselves what
u being done.
The aSsOciauon stands upon a grand
platform, aud seeks Ia unite thue,c Young
men, who, prarding Jesus Christ IN their
God AMI Savior, according 10 the Holy
Scriptures, desire In be his disciples In
their doctrine and their lie. aud Ia as.o.
ciaic their efforts ior the extension Of his
kingdom Among Young men," aud the
men Who take this stand an men Of God
In tie full acccptaiion Of the worl, aud
will always be found hnt aud iormnst in
the l,orl's work In the church. In other
worls. a man Who u good association
man will hc u good church member. and
this We LAY without fear II accceiul con.
iradiciion The man who lives for the
association and not the church oi Christ.
az ncglects bis church, IL certainly In
error
llui word about our association. The
year just closed has been marked by great
industry in every department 81 association
work, and considering the small number
81 workers, We have accomplished "A great
deal Tor the Master, aud have grown In
numllcn, but not la proportion 10 the
growth OF the city.
II the general public could bc bronrh,
io see the nature aud extent Of the WORK
lof even the pact year, they would affirm
that the good accomplished would prove
On ample return Tor the money expended.
lTt ~ urge upon our citizens the import.
hnce Of attending our mcetinrr anA nc.
gnaintng themselves with our work 40
that We may gain their support aud on.
coungcmenL We are entirely unscrtarian
and an active auxiliary 10 the churches
and subordinate thereto. II y no part Of
the plan Of the association 10 an,agoni,c or
usurp the place Of the church. hut on the
other hand 60 cooperate with II. II docs
not seek 10 draw Young men away from
the church, but 10 torn them into n.
Rome of our citizens understand this.
Others 40 not Our business men sec its
good, and have shown Il by literally sup.
porting u during the year Just closed.