The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-11-22
=. NJ. @. A. Anniversary.

exercises of the Young Mems Christian
Association on Sunday evening was only
limited by the capacity of the opera house,
at least two hundred people being turned
away. Every person in attendance felt
fully satisfied when they left the hall. The
program as announced was fully carried
out. The addresses of the evening con-
tanned much food for thought and reflection.
We give the report of the officers in full
and a synopsis of the addresses of Revs.
Little and Spencer and State Secretary
Clarke.
ADDRESS OF REV. C. b. SPENCER.
Rev. G. B. Spencer, of the Methodist
church, intended his as brief address on
''the relation of the association to the city,
He referred to the remarkable growth OF
the organization, and its statistics of mem
bership, property and influence presented
at the international meeting at Stockholm
as providential evidence of its value to So
ciety at large. The association is of value
to society, and i'm particular to our city, be-
cause it offers as an offset to the vicious
resorts of our city an attractive and elevat-
ing resort to the homeless young men of
our numerous factories. The association,
as an organized force, stands out against
the saloon, to help save and maintain in
purity that which the saloon would destroy,
and is destroying every day. The work of
the association at this point cannot be es-
timated. The association is of value to the
young men of our city also in furnishing
athletic training. A few years back such
instruction could only be gained from some
of the sporting fraternity, but now in the
great cities of the land, and in our own also,
a gymnasium exists to cultivate SOUND
body, without which sound mind is inn
possible. Instructions are given to a ''train-
meetings are held, and the association offers
an ever active and powerful spiritual in
fluence, the results of which only eternity
can reveal. Mr.. Spencer paid the general
secretary, Mr.. Lohnes, a high, but deserved
tribute for his faithful. and often unap-
preciated labors for the young men of
Owosso. They have friend in him. The
speaker closed with an appeal to the city to
rally to the association and show, as in the
past, its appreciation Of its great power for
good. What, after all, is so valuable an in
vestment of money as an investment in
souls? Illustrations were noted, the
checkered career of Stanley, the African
explorer, and the waif found on London
bridge, who, because he was found on st.
Matthew's day and OH London bridge was
named Matthew Bridges, and who by
Christian instruction, ''by a financial in
vestment," was trained into such man
hood that he could fonnd one of the great
mission fields of the world, and die in
triumph martyrs death. Thus it may be
i'm the maintenance of the Y. M. G. A. in
our city. Stand by it, encourage it, May
we enlarge its usefulness, that with in
creasing power it may touch and fashion
the young lives who are to create for veal
or woe the civilization of the twentieth
century.
ADDRESS OF STATE SECRETARY, II. NJ.
CLARKE.
1t is about o'clock and / shall detain you
but few moments. Bearing in mind the
Presidents statement that he was glad
am here, can say that it is pleasing to me
to be with you. A thoughtful father at
once sends for the family physician when
one of his children is sick. So it is with
these associations or babies, when troubled
with some ailment they Immediately
send for the State secretary. But l have
not come tonight as physician to the sick
bed; / have come to birthday party.
Again l repeat, 1 am glad that L am here,
glad you feel the interest you do in this
baby of yours. Well you may, for from
appearances and reports your two year old
babe can crow as loud and kick as high as
any know of.
1 would like to talk to you about ten
minutes unless some get very tired and
three or four men get to sleep. We are liv-
ing in an age of specialties. For illustration:
l once asked Virginia lawyer why his
name did not appear Oftener in court in con-
nection with criminal cases? Because"
said he. 81 prefer practice in chancery
cases; enjoy the work more and know L
am making more money" Thus we see a
lawyer may have good knowledge of the
law, yet success hinges on special knowl-
edge. There is speciality in most every
kind of business. Take the watch for ex-
ample. There was time when it was
made entirely by one man. Through a
process of changes, we now have the same
made by several men. 1t is better watch
and much more quickly made. Each
workman is specialist in his particular
part of the work.
There is charge that the working of the
church is behind the times. / believe that
charge to be unfounded. The church is
fully abreast IL not ahead of the times i'm my
mind. Note the work of the Sunday school
from its earliest stages. Like vast arm it
has reached out to draw in the little ones.
In latter day note the work of the col
leges and other places of learning; from
thence are sent forth some of our best men.
Likewise the various christian organiza-
tions. 1 could speak of many more in
stances, yet all have their origin in the
church and members of Christ's own church
founded them.
Another point of speciality is the Y. M.
Q. A. Would that you could take trip
with me around the globe, then would you
no 80 .f1aff inn fo