The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-22
THEWORK OF TnEY.M.C.
SECRETARY LAUMAsTER TALKS OF
THE ASSOCIATION.
I'oints for the nsideration OF Business
Men and Others-The Classes Of
People the Organization Deals

Men Christian asS0C1ntlOn eNcrclScSu Roou
influence in this city, and renders invalua-
BILE aid to many unfortunate people, who
would otherwise suffer. Mr.. w. ID. 1.au-
master, the efficient and tireless secretary
Of the association, in speaking Mt some
length OF the purposes and work OF the
organization, has this TO say: I'VE are
very frequently asked the question, by
friends and others "What are you doing
for young men2" And the question is put
with all sincerity, and with a view Of oh.
tanning information, which We are glad to
give, but would much prefer II visit from
our friends in order that they might take
greater interest in our work. | will give
q few points, however. with the hope that,
ia the near future, we will have the hearty
cooperation Of all well disposed persons.
WHO ARR VIZ?
We are an organization OF young men
for young men. We are auxiliary 10 the
Christian church. We ARE the skirmsh-
ems OF Our Saviors army. Weare In oppo-
sition TO everything that tends TO democrat
Inc young men.
why ARE WE HrREl
We are here because there are over q, 900
young men in our city, large number Of
whom arr away from home, out from UNI
der its influences and deprived OF It's COM
forts.
We ate here because our opponent, the
dcvil, is here IN full force. lie has l75
saloons aud over 800 men employed IN run
them.
We are here because he Is daily putting
into the hands Of our boys and young men
literature which only tends to destroy true
marlincss This penicious literature acts
as intoxicating drink upon the brain and
physique
ivcarc here 10 work for young men,
and for noother purpose.
WHAT DO We nor
We give the young men the use Of the
Leading newspapers and magazines OF the
country The reading room In pleasant
well lighted and warmed, and provided
with chess, checkers and crockinole, where
young men may come and spend an hour
pleasantly under good influence.
We allow the young men Of Memphis
the Use ol our parlors. Here they may
meet their friends, sing, play, talk and
have good, social, homc-like time.
God made man Ia net, hence we give
thcn chance 70 become strong and prop.
erly develop all pauts Of their bodies IN u
line gymnasium. This will assist them 90 |
act well their parts in LIES drama. We |
have also three bathrooms ior use OF mem. |
ber.
Beside all these things, we have a BOYS
branch, where boys are taught 10 sing and |
pray. Then We have two gospel meetings |
Tor mon every week, social entertain.
ment once month, and a workers tuin-
ing class every Monday night.
Surely all these provisions for the health. |
comfort and amusement OF the young men |
cannot fail 20 bc valuable 10 them. Who /
can tell the moral influence OF such an in.
siiiution NJ ths2 No young man can more
probably spend his houn oi leisure than
in taking advantage of the opportunities
here afforded him, and the rooms are open
every day In the year.
And now word about the mcn aud
women who come Ia NJ for aid, ior advice,
for COUNSEL, for positions. for letters Of In. |
trOdhciioh, 10 find boarding. houses, etc. |
L will giyr lew instances, and trust tina. /
clear idea Of the work may bc hal by all
who read this article. Let MS then, take
n few pages from the rccrctary's record:
''ln the office nj u o'clock; attended "a
morning mail; blind man seeking add
sick boy asking for place 90 STAY Ia Ills.
trssing ciiscl n visit 90 sick member, ~.
ferrcd gentleman Ia boarding house,
young man seeking position; canyn~cr
called ~ sell book. young man desiring
the loan Of 20 In order 10 get 20 his home
letter from young man rcqcsting secretary
10 gct his trunk nj certain railroad lie.
pot aud forward Il IN Kansas City: several
nenber called 10 counsel with secretary,
lady called 10 have the association offer
prayers Tor Maynard boy; gospel meet.
ing nt $50 o'clock, thirly-hyc men In at
Tendance, i've Of whom requested prayers
Of the association.
Herr is another days rcori "in
rooms ai . O'Clock; poor woman called 20
ask the association for some coal. Two
young Blen seeking employment Man
with bis arm badly burned called 20 yet
aid. Drunken man called ior assistance.
Two men Just discharged rom city hes.
pitnl asking iur aid and clothing Poor
woman called, ~ sick she was almost una.
bile Ia walk, Nlid abe had nothing % eat.
and had y sick husband and a sick child
Called on sick man who had a wife aud
siN children. with scarcely anything Ia eat
and rcni overdue
The worthy onrs OF the above applicants
were kindly relieved for the time. The
qucsiiOn II, Who ought ~ take carr of
these people, and who will help 10 do II?
Our association il not charitable insii.
tntlOn, but exists lor the salvation II Young
men. Every member, however. l. willing
70 assist those IN dislns, when called
upon, and do assist frequently, but when
ihcs. extreme eases come, where arc We
Ia refer thcm7 Wins; shall W. do with
the hundreds Of men and BOYS that come
10 us and ask for a nigla's l0dgingl Re.
member, these are without money aud
Without homo, some ol thrm an, worthy.
some 81 them are not. but the question 4.
what shall We do With thom7
There is always n tacit agreement b,.
twccn the nsocaiion and tie community
10 which u exists and Il would rcad sonc.
thing like this
Know all men by these presents. that
the Young Mems Christian a.soriaiion
undertakes 10 do certain things which n
believes 10 be Tor the glory Of God aud the
welfare OF this city, aud Ia do them thor.
ouRhly and we'll. And We undertake Ia
support Il IN doing These things by thought.
word and decd, until the experiment IL
iairly tried, and, " successful, 10 continue
taid support NJ long rs the association con.
iinues said work.
Does any msn In Memphis know nj n
community which willfully aud persistent.
" violated IN undertaking. Has the as.o.
clAuon done what u at out 10 ,loP Did
thoee Thing turn out In practice 10 be ion
The gluy oi God and the good nl the com.
munityf Did II do them with the yiypr tn
L. ert,o.,fad al a.. tt.,...,.... n 60 ~