The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-24
WHY IT NEEDS A HOME.
THE YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN AS
ISOLATION AND THE CoUksaY.
Compilation From Writings by the Best
Workers in the Cause, by General
Secretary Laumaster. OF the Local
Association.

Organized work always requires q home Of
some kind-call 1t Office, shop, church or by
whatever name you choose, there must be
some location where the organization can be
found and whence its influence radiates. To
this rule, associated work for young men is
no exception.
The work of the Young Mems Christian
Association is not a partial one, because il
aims to benefit young men in every possible
way. Physically, to make them erect, broad
shouldered, deep-chested and strong-limbed;
familiar with the laws Of health, and rever-
ent in the care Of that body which is the
temple Of the living God" Intellectually,
to drill their undisciplined powers; to incite
them to study and thought, and to create q
taste for sound and instructive read
ing. Socially, to crafty their desire
for companionship by bringing them
under elevating and refining influences.
And yet this is not all, for the main object
OF Its existence has ever been the salvation
of young men through faith in Jesus Christ.
Its agencies are the gymnasium and other
means OF healtbful recreation, the class
room aud instructor, the reading room and
library, the lecture hall and lyceum, the
social rendezvous with its mental contact
and stimulus, and facilities for various forms
VI tipIouBH ulu lutclllEent tnflStlan WOfk.
An Association may rightly aspire 10 be the
headquarters for gymnastics, boat, bicycle
and rambling clubs, bowling and all other
athletic pursuits; q center for educational
and literary work among young men, as
well as n common and undenOminational
ground for moral and religious work in q
community. But, unless equipped with
suitable rooms and appliances, all this can
not be. The Association cannot accomm
date itself 10 a building whose arrangement
was controlled by ideas antagonistic 10. or
at least independent Of, its special work.
Shall this nome Of the Association be tenn
porary or permanent Shall it be rented or
ovned2
WHY OWN A BUILDING?
1. A building erected for the. association
secures adaptation, II is planned with refer
ence TO the actual wants Of the association,
whose multiform work can be properly di-
vided in IL, with quarters for each depart
ment. Adaptation insures vastly better re-
suits, with smaller expenditure of labor.
Tn association owning a building is free 10
adapt IL to certain definite ends, without
infringing upon the rights and without in
jury ffom the whims Of n landlord, and
whether the association occupies the whole
OF II or not the immediate surroundings can
be controlled, aud such noises or rcpulsiyc
features rs would make the rooms unCom-
Portable or unhealthy can be guarded against.
Q A building owned by the association In.
surcs p'rmanenCy. Formerly a temporary
experiment, now an institution of the city,
is the testimony OF our association. These
are happy descriptive phrases. II, because
OF financial embarrassment, the association
can no longer pay the large rent usually
asked for good rooms, aud therefore must
move into narrOwcra and ill-adlptrd quarters.
its prestige is forfeited by this retro
grade though honest movement, and, to a
large extent. the confidence OF the public Ia is
pcrmancnce and usefulness. Thendvnntare
Of a permanent home IN bridging over times
Of financial disaster Il practically attcsted by
the history OF some ssociaiions stll enjoying
a prosperous existence. and by that Of many
others which had no such refuge from
the storm, and died before is fury
had passed. Men will rally to the
defense Of their permanent home as
they will not TO that Of the hired hall.
Christian work for young men by young
men, with a home unincumbcred by debt,
stimulates and proyokcs libcrality In pro-
portion n il Is based upon correct business
principles. Such an Association Is In the
= way Of requests and bcncfactions. No one
cares 10 give large sums ~ money 10 any or
Ranizaton with an uncertain future. but a
substantial building, owned by an incurpor-
atcd society. Is guarantee Of stability aud
longevity. A permanent and plcnsani home
u n witness 20 young men not Christians Of
the love OF Christ In the person OF his follow
err for them. OfNitan's regard for thea they
have evidence In flaming placards In nttruc-
tive saloons, aud IN the allurcments Of the
street walker. There are any number Of
such temptations In every city. aud they are
permanent while the power OF satan LASTS.
g. A building gives publicity. II advcr-
tiscs thc extent and importance Of the work.
No young man should be forced 10 hunt for
the association rooms; and he viii not have
60 II We have a building situated on a prom
inent corner, or ON one Of the principal thor
oughfarcs.
Within the last few years there has been a
decided advance in the appearance Of these
buildings, and the more recent ones rank
among the slightly and attractive ediices Of
the cities Ia which they have been erected.
Rented quarters, on the contrary, are open
10 the following serious objections:
I. The difficulty Of finding we'll located.
bright, healthy and suitable rooms.
.. The cost 81 such rooms when found.
3. TIL trouble, expense and sometimes Inn.
possibility Of making the changes needed by
n growing Association.
4. Tn uncertainty Of tenancy.
RESULTS.
A results % the adaptation. pcrmanency
and publicity which a building affords will
come.
l. A greatly increased attendance at the
rooms aud meetings, aud a consequent In
crease Of membership.
2 A better class ~ young men will be
come interested IN the work and the best
Christian aud business ability Of the city
+ will be called 10 III management. This will
guarantee wisdom aud economy Of admins
tration aud will also give the work q greater
influence In social aud mcr untilc circles.
q There will be- larger contributions aud
more 81 them.
T. The work will become moro fruitful.
O. A home feeling " ongcudcrcd, which
lnits it, active membership strongly To-.
gcthcr. rmuvcs constrnint IN both social aud
religious effort aud establishes the Associn.
ton IN the affections Of the people.
Other homes gruW richer, purCr aud moro
Inspiring with the blessed memories which
gntier in them. Why should We lack thi.
element In our homc for Christian work.
Every RON aud wall should tell from one
generation Ia another, Of souls converted
from in Co holiness, from Satan unto God.
until a spirit Of conservation abide within it,
walls, until men shall say; "tol Cod g.
herr, and this h. the dwelling place Of His
saving love"
DEVELOPMENT oF TuE ufLDi o
MENr.
In the short space Of twenty-five ycars the
association buildings IN America have grown
~ number until now there are M. repre-
tcnting &.0JO,OO0