The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-11-14
AN IMPORTANT MOHEMENT

Many of the citizens of Bennington have
been considering for some time, the
plan of organizing Young Mems Chris
tian Association. Last Sunday was
largely devoted to the consideration OF
this important subject. An informal
conference was held in the chapel of the
Congregational Church in the afternoon,
when the work of the modern Associa-
ton was explained in detail by the
Y. M G. A. State Secretary, Mr.. E. A.
Lawrence. This meeting was largely
attended.
A union service was held in the Meth
odist Church on Sunday evening, the
audience completely filling the church
at an early hour.
After devotional exercises conducted
by the pastors, Mr.. Lawrence delivered
an address upon the origin, growth. and
reasons for the growth, of the Young
Mems Christian Associations.
He said the first Association was Or
ganized IN this country in Montreal, Dec
9th, 1851, and twenty days later the As
sociation in Boston was formed
Referring to the growth, comparisons
were made dating from 1868. Then
there we're SO Associations, now 1910.
In 1868 six young men were employed
as sa aried officers, called general secra
taries now there are nearly 900. In
1868 there were six college associations:
now 276, with membership of 10 600.
In 1868 there were no railroad associa
tions; now n. In 1868 the amount Civ
en- for the general expenses was 1885 |;
now 81 ,057, 900 are spent annually.
The work OF the International Com
mittee having their headquarters in New
York city was referred to, and the val
liable services rendered by them was
considered, and as an evidence OF the
growth of the work it was stated that
the committee spent in 1866, $3.50, and
the present year about 500, 900; this was
divided largely among the railroad and
college associations. The value of the
stated to be nearly 100000
The strictly religious work was said to
be principally the Bible training class,
and the Sung service for men only on
Sunday afternoons.
The secular agencies used are the
reading room, library, recreation room,
gymnasium. educational classes, debating
society, familiar talks, and out door
sports Ia the summer season.
The reasons for the growth Of the
work were stated to be, loyalty
to the church, loyalty to the
Bible, definiteness OF aim (uamely a
work by young men, for young n,en).
and the employment of salaried officer
who devotes his whole time to this spec
ial wok
1t was stated that 1t was not intended
to be W Jrk for the fallen. but one Of
prevention largely, and also one of de-
velopment.
The reasons given why the work was
confined to young men were because Of
their numbers, their importance to the
church, home, and business life.
Special mention was made of the
many temptations which surround
young men, and the need of pleasant,
cheerful rooms which should be the
place where they will be glad to congre-
gate and at the same time be benefited
in many ways.
A meeting was held in the chapel Of
the Congregational Church on Monday
evening, which was attended by about
one hundred men; when it was voted
to organize an Association provided
sufficient funds can be secured. State
Secretary Lawrence has been spending
few days assisting in this movement.