New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-21
4 PROSPEROUS BOYS CLUE.

COOP WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY THE REV II.
PRICE COLLIER
In the basement of the Willow PlAco Chapel OF the
Church Of tho Saviour meets twice every week an
organization unique IN fits plan, scope and methods
1t IS known as the Boys Club
1t camo into existence IN the carly days OF last
December, through the efforts Of the Rev. H. Price
Collier, of the Church Of the Saviour. Mr. Collier
then Just entering upon his parish work. formed the
plan of binding together In organization as many as
possible Of the boys living In the neahborhood OF the
Willow Place Chapel 1t made no difference whether
or not they were connected with any church or mis-
sion The orgsnizat ton vas TO be purely secular Its
avowed purpoSetwas to proyde light heat and amuse-
ment, to keep tho boys OF the street Willow Place
Chapel was an excellent place for the trying oil Such
an experiment Situated within few blocks of orc Of
the worst and lowest aud most quarresome portions OF
the city, there than ordinary temptations Tor
a boy. about there. While In part an original con-
ception Of Mr. Golfers, It was modelled largely upon
a New-York organization at Nhth-st. and Avenue A,
for several years In existence, also known as the
Boys Club, and under the management oil some OF
the Yale alumni The New-York Association has
membership OF $780, but I average attendance Is not
as large as that of this Brooklyn club
little soliciting brought the hundred dollars or SO
necessary for what Mr. Collier Is pleased to call tho
plant" This included furniture and stationery
for the class rooms benches and tables for the read
ing and game rooms, and coffee apparatus complete
There arc practically no running expenses The
boys themselves pay for the coffee they drink at
one cent q cup with cracRers beside. Ana
most excellent coffee It is, too made according TO
pelmonico methods, and in a Delmonco coffee pot
The most striking and interesting part of It all, as
one enters the main room OF the basement Where
games OF many kinds carried on, is the absolute
freedom and do whatyou-pease' Of the boys. OF
course there are certain limits beyond which boy
cannot CO. but they keep good way inside of those
limits Mr. Collier says: we treat those boys
Just as men are treated in the Hamilton Club. That
Is the principle Of the Boys Club. Never Is word
of religion spoken. 1 am not a believer in con-
stantly forcing religion upon the poor They are as
good as the r4ch and entitled to and deserving OF
pleasures Scattered about tho rooms Of the Boys
Club in all sorts Of occupations and amusemenis arc
boys of al ages and classes Of society from tho middle
10 the poorest There tall boys and short boys,
shabby boys and boys not quite so much So Irish boys
and German boys, and boys Of every natonallty-all
in harmony with another all decidedly enjoying
themselves, and as quiet as any largo collection OF
boys can possibly be- One particular young gen .In
who started In fer fun and With the INTENTION
Of cleanin the place" has so far deviatcd nom
his original purpose that he is now door heereT
responsible and trusted position, with the duty OF az
hitting only those belonging inside. IL Is said that
short course Of spsTffng with MI Collier won MN
The attractions and branches OF the organ zaion NAV
be further summed up; savings bank an employ ~
kinds of which the most popular are checkers.
dominoes and billialdets. Tournaments further
feature and monthly entertainments gvea by tho boys
for themselves are highly enjoyed both by actors and
spectators IN two ROOMS on the hoor above classes
are held; on Tuesday evening, writing william A.
Butler superintendent Of the Union for Christian Work
bookkeeping, ". q. Russell; on Saturday evening,
German Miss Augusta Zahn. An English
class for tho speaking and composition of pure Eng
lsh Is soon 10 be formed.
One hundred and seventy FIVE boys are now enrolled,
ana owing to the lack of accommodation only an Oc-
casIonal one is now added. The average attendance
for February was los. Tho years Of admission are
between twelve and nineteen Boys under twelve. 1t
is considered can better be Influenced In their own
homes AS an ultima ,s development Of this II Is
hoped that a special b. ling may soon be erected for
this purpose in which shere may he on like basis
mems club as we'll as a boys club. The officers
aro President the Rev. II. Price Collier SECRETARY
the Rev A D. smith; treasurer Albert l.. Mason
About twenty five prominent and wealthy Brooklyn
citizens have been chosen as vice-presidents thus
being Intimately connected with and especially In
terested in the material progress of the scheme.