The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-29
Y. M. C. AS YEARS WORK
THE SAVANNAH ASSOCIATIONS
SECOND ANNIVERSARY.

IAEL NlRDL NeleOIdIlOh Az IAAC AIoC
pendent Presbyterian Church resi
dent Miller's Annual Report-E
Presents the / ssociation's Need fol
Building-The History Of the YounG
Mems Christian Association II
Savannah - Rev. ]. E. L. Holmes
Address-Some Thoughts for Youns
Men.
The Young Mems Christian Association
celebrated its second anniversary at the In
dependent Presbyterian church last night
The Protestant churches generally wer,
closed and a large audience was present
The anniversary services opened with th'
hymn cam Soldier of the Cross" tn,
Scripture reading was by Rev. A. NJ Wynn
pastor of the Wesley Monumental church
and the prayer by Rev. A F. DeCamp, o.
the Independent church, after which th'
choir sang the anthem THE Radiant Moor
Hath Passed Away"
C. p. Miller, president of the association
read his annual report. He said that the
past year was one of great announcement
and progress. Mr.. D. A. Gordon. who did
good work as general secretary during
the early part of the year, resigned
in April. Mr.. r. A. Bowman was called to
fill the position, which he has done with
satisfaction to all According to the report
Of General Secretary Bowman the reading
room attendance from Nov. l to Oct. l was
1925. The attendance at the young mems
meetings for the same period was Z, 10, and
at the Bible training class lS3. SIEVE
Young men protested conversion, and three
Joined the church between May and Octo-
Der. The gymnasium attendance for the
twelve months ending October was 1874,
and at the social receptions 972.
THE ASSOCIATIONS MEMBERSHIP.
The paid up membership is as follows:
Sustaining ...........'......'..... VI
Associate. .........-........-.'.. ..'..... o.
Active ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 40
Increase over last year. Observation-Disclosures. Sd
The gymnasium has proven a great at
traction to the young men. The educational
classes will be continued during the coming
year. The social receptions have drawn
many young men to the roomsan the efforts
of the committee have been greatly aided
by the Ladies' Auxiliary Society, Of which
Mrs. C. L. Gilbert is president.
The financial report of Mr.. James Earle,
Jr., was read and showed a balance in the
treasury, after paying the liabilities OF the
year. In comparison with last year the
amount of dues from membership has in
creased $l7s so, and from subscriptions
s133 06. The president referred to the late
Edward Lowell as one Of the most cheerful
contributors to the funds Of the association.
The president alluded to the necessity for a
building in the next few years to accommo-
date the growing work of the association
and to make it permanency. To carry on
this years work successfully, he said, from
1900 to $1,000 is nee 7ssary, and he asked
that the contributions be liberal.
THE FIRST ASSOCIATION.
Back in the fifties Savannah had a
Christian association, but its work was
irregular. The present reorganization
dates back only two years In concluding,
Mr.. Miller thanked the association for his
reelection to presidency in 1887, but he
declined the office for the ensuing year,
and recommended the adoption of a rota-
tlon policy, believing that the work will be
best promoted.
Rev. j. Z. l.. Holmes delivered the an
niversary address, in which he told the
young men that this is emphatically the
age of youthful endeavor, and young men
are best fitted to influence the young for
good. The church claims the youth, he
said, with ali its grand possibilities, with
its faith in man, faith in self, faith in God,
and before cares hang heavy about it to
crush it, 1t was when Moses was yet
young that he made the sublime
sacrifice, despising all of Egypts glory
and riches to cast his lot with Gods
people and to become their deliverer.
1t was the young man David who became
the champion of Israel and restored Its
military supremacy and gave it peace To
do good work III any sphere OF life it is
necessary, DIR. Holmes said, to begin early.
After the period of youth has passed men
are less likely to be useful if they become
christians. Ninety per cent, it is said, OF
the active and efficient members Of the
churches began work early, and are active
now, in great measure, because of the
force of habit. At recent
preachers meeting in New York an
inquiry was made as to the ages at which
the different ministers present were con.
verified, and it was ascertained that twenty
were converted under IA years Of age
twenty-five under IS years, thirteen under
u years, and four over 81, and mission
AIRY secretary of long experience said: 81
would not give snap for a missionary con
vert after 81"
THE Y. NJ. C. A. AND THE CHURCH.
Referring to the relations existing be
tween the Young Mems Christian ASsocia
ton and the church, Dr. Holmes, said:
''If l thought the association would make
our young men less interested in their owl
churches, could not favor it. If | felt thai
we were building up an institution 20 be
come a rival Of the divinely instituted
church, should consider aid rendered it
misrepresentation Of resources. But expe
rience has shown that the best workers il
the Young Mems Christian Association ar,
among the most efficient workers in tbs
church. Weurge young men to join that they
may do good. and that they may get good
we urge other than young men to aid in
work SO important, so full Of promise becaus,
we do not know better instrument fol-
those who would really become benefactor
Of mankind And the association is n,
longer an experiment, it has history. No
quite 81 years ago, the first Young Men
Christian Association was organized in tn
United States. Now there are ,240 associa
tions, with total membership of l75, 900
owning real estate valued at s6,7O0,000
About 800 men are giving their entire tim
to the work in various capacities as secre
tares and instructors.
"How pious business men regard this worl
may be seen from the fact that in the cite
north of us thirty men-men reckone
among the wisest, most prudent and grea
financiers of the country-these thirty alon
have given to the association amounts az
grsgating 81, 567, 900.
WORD FOR A NEW BUILDING.
"How greatly to the credit Of our cit
would IL be if our large-hearted, liberal me
who are generally 30 ready TO contribute t
any good work which has n promise of pei
manent success, would see to it that on