The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-04-06
Annual Report of the Y. NJ. C. A.

Following is the report of the Pres'
ident of the Oakland Y. M. Q. A..
read at the anniversary meeting
Thursday evening March 28th. 1889
To the Officers and Members Of the T.
NJ. C. A. of Oakland:
Our constitution makes it the duty
of the executive officer to present a
written report annually of the work
and progress of the Association, and
in the performance of that duty 1t
gives me great pleasure to submit for
your consideration the following gen.
eral report. l will not be permitted
ted to go extensively into details be-
cause l have not the necessary data
at hand for that purpose.
We have had many blessings 10
the past year for which we should be
grateful. and we recognize the source
from whence cOmeth all these bles.
sings. and to him we render thanks
and ascribe all the praise for what we
have been able to accomplish as a
Young Mems Christian Association.
The Oakland Association was or.
gaDized on the 9th day of March,
1885, and the past year has been the
most prosperous of any during its
existence. -
At the present time we have thirty
nine members (actiye and associated
twenty-one of said number have been
added within the last year.
Our average attendance has been at
least three times as great as any pre-.
vious year, and among our number
some of the most earnest and consist
ent workers have been enrolled dur
ing the year that has just closed.
During the existence of the asso-
citation, up to the past year, we have
relied upon the hospitality and kind
ness of one of our members for a
room in which to hold our meetings,
Since that time we have rented a
Hall at an annual rental of $4,000,
and said amount has been guaranteed.
AS soon as the weather will permit,
the Hall will be renovated, painted
and put in first-class condition, and
we promise our members, and Others
who feel Inclined to come and spend
an hour with us, that they will find
a pleasant place.
A committee appointed is now con.
siderin9 the propriety of establishing
reading-room in connection with
the association, and we believe that
ere long it will be an assured fact.
We have secured an organ and the
services of some excellent singers,
under the efficient leadership of one
of our number, and this greatly adds
to the attractiveness of our meetings.
We are free from debt and have a
small surplus in the Treasury.
All regular meetings have BEEN
held as far as practicable and the Holy
Spirit has been with US in power, as
those present can testify to, and have
testified to over and over again.
We have met with some little op.
position during the year and have
failed to receive encouragement and
cO-opperation from sources where we
naturally expected assistance. We
attribute this to the fact that our
work and object is misunderstood by
those who should work hand. in hand
with us. We tie-up to the creed or
doctrine of 10 particular church, but
our work is the mingling of the
various evangelical denominations
for the up.building of the Masters
Kingdom here on earth, and espe-
cially to reach that particular class
who are not reached by the church.
While this is known as the Young
Mems Christian Association, we ex.
clude no one. Our doors are open to
old and young, male and female
alike. and while we do not take to
ourselves the exclusive right to look
after young men, we deem it our
privilege, yea, our duty, to do what
we can in opening up avenues for
their salvation. To those who differ
with US Oh this point we can but re.
fer them to the reply of the Master
to John, FORBID him not, for he
that is not against US is on our part.n
We reassert our allegiance to the
various denominations to which we
belong, and If it should ever become
necessary for US to choose between
the Y. M. G. A. and the church, W.!
of course will cleave to the latteEl
But such a state of affairs cold mol
possibly exist, because the Y. M. CT
A. is only considered an additions
help to those who are already con.l
nected with the church, and as d
means of reaching those who are moi
reached by the church. and our con.
stltution provides that before per