Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-05-16
GRAND RECEPTION.

The Friends OF the Y. NJ. q. A. Extend
the Gymnasium Instructor u Hearty
Greeting.
Last nights clouds and chilly rains did
not deter the young men from turning out
In full fcrce to welcome to the city the Y.
NJ. y. A. Gymnasium instructor. Mr.. II. G.
Hodge. One hundred and seventy-tive
were present and were feasted, musicalIy.
mentally and physically, and one might
say, socially, as each one seemed to take
upon himself the part of host, and to put
forth all to make the others have a good
time. Mr.. Hodge was heard to rem ark
that he had never met such hearty recep-
tion or nicer lot of fellows than the young
men who greeted him last night At about
O'Clock the entire company gathered
in the upper room where the mems Sunday
meetings are held, and after all joining in
two or three spirited hymns from No.
DR.. John II. Rodgers, chairman of tn,
Gymnasium committee, introduced Mr..
Hodge to the young men In brief but fittint
terms. Vigorous applause greeted the In
PRODUCTION, to which Mr.. Hodge bowed hi,
acknowledgements and proceeded to thank
the boys In words for their kind reception
of him and to outline to them his plan of
campaign. His talk was business from the
start. A few points only can be given from
it. The first thing necessary will be the
organization Of classes, dividing members
into senior, junior, boys class, and perhaps
business mems and ladies' classes. OF
course, some of these classes
may not be organized Immediately, but
when the demand arises will be, the advice
and decisions Of the gymnasium committee
governing the time, terms, ETC., to sny
classes such as boys or ladies', which are
outside Of the membership. Work in all
classes will be very simple and light at first,
and the members will be gradually hard
ened for more difficult work. The aim of
gymnasium is not to make athletes, but
to develop strong bodies that shall carry a
man through life, strong, vigorous and
more capable of accomplishing good work
anywhere, because of his gymnastic train
ing. When Mr.. Hodge again bowed to the
audience at the close of his talk, a general
applause was bestowed upon him. His
manner and talk had won for him the
friendly feeling Of every one present. Sec
retary Fraser then asked Mr.. s.
ID. Gordon, state secretary of the Y. NJ.
G. A, to address the association, and Mr..
Gordon responded in very happy manner,
causing all present to feel glad that he was
able to be present with them. He first
congratulated the Young Mems Christian
Association Of Springfield an having such
good prospects of asuccessfnl organization,
and compared the little meetings OF few
months since when the prospects of getting
800 members and SO, 900 were earnestly
cailyassed. He was glad that those days
were gone and that they were now In good
marching order, and wished especially to
congratulate them upon having so good an
instructor for Their gymnasium.
Mr.. Gordon is favorte with the Spring
feld young men and well deserves to be.
His speech was greeted with hearty ap-
plause. A male quartette, composed, of
Messrs. Geo. Frankerberg. C. CbKtiRer,
". S. Putnam and Frank PtotassfEo,
With Mr.. l.. NJ. Frsnkenberg
at the piano, rendered the Vintage Song"
IN an admirable manner and received q
strong and persistent encore, to which he
responded, singing again an excellent Sc
lection. I Refreshments wereo announced
and all adjourned to the gymnasium, which
was tastefuIly and conveniently arranged
with small tables the refreshments cor
sisting Of ice cream and cake.
The young men of the association wish
especially TO thank the ladies who so gen
erouslyl furnished the cakes Many. COM
plimeHts were passed upon the quality of
their cookery. A corps Of young men
served the refreshments in good style under
the direction Of Mr.. Harry H. Sellers,
chairman Of the committee In charge of
the refreshments. 1t is hoped by those
in charge that no member Of the asso-
citation was absent for lack of ticket. All
members were admitted on showing MEM
bership ticket and one young man says he
was passed in on his cake. Members and
friends who applied were furnished with
tickets BY the general secretary. but it was
not possible to take or send tickets to them
all. This reception seems likely to give
the 7. NJ. G. A. "a boom" among the
young men, several new members being re-
ceived last evening.