The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-04
A YEARS WORK.
What the Young Mems Christian
Association Is Doing.

The annual business meeting Of the Port
land Young Mems Christian Association was
held in their rooms last evening, beginning
at 7>3O o'clock, with President VIM. S. Corey
in the chair. After the devotional exercises
the work Of the past year was presented In
the report of General Secretary Belts In
the course of his report MIR. Belts speaks as
follows:
GENERAL sEcRETARy's REPORT.
The work during the year has been def
mite one, viz: For young men and by
young men. New features Of the work nave
been developing, which has led the associa-
ton to adopt new methods and in many ways
to put forth more aggressive effort in its
desire to broaden our influence in the CON-
munity. An earnest religious feeling has
pervaded the spiritual phases of our work
throughout the year, and in the fact that
there have been SO professed conversions in
our association during that time, we have
evidence sufficient to believe that God has
placed seal upon our work. The attend
ance at our rooms has also been very encour-
| aging; over $4,000 visitors, an average daily
| of over 1877, have entered our rooms In the
past ten months and enjoyed the privileges
of our association. The reading room, which
is one of the finest in the State and well sup
piled with daily, weekly and monthly papers,
also other interesting and wholesome read.
ing matter, has been the leading attractive
feature of our association privileges. 1t is no
uncommon thing to see from 20 to % young
men engaged In studious reading, and others
playing the different games which we are
obliged to have in the reading room for want
OF game room, which we hope will be one
OF our coming privileges. Our libraries,
| containing about HOO volumes; have been
| well patronized, over 2033 books having been
taken out by the members; 232 books have
| been received as gifts to the association, and
have been added to the library during the
year.
In our endeavor to increase the scope of
our work, we have specially felt the need Of
more advantages to offer the young men, so
| as to secure their interest and assistance In
this grand work We hope that the coming
| year may bring to us many needed privileges
| and enable us to offer such advantages to our
| young men as will secure their hearty coop
| Grafton In extending our usefulness As an
| association we should have gymnasium,
bath rooms, parlOrs, educational and other
classes. These with many other privileges
would surely come il our association could
own building Of its own. Shall we not
earnestly pray that God may open the way
so that this may be reality in the near fu-
ture? will rot go into detail at this time,
but could tell you Of young men la distress
who had sought relief, both temporarily and
In the anguish of their souls, in our associa-
ton rooms. No worthy young man is ever
turned away If we have any proof of his hon.
eSty OF motive.
Tue reports of the committees at this meet
ing cover most interesting and hopeful
field OF work, and am glad that we can re-
]olce together over their effective and pro-
gressive word. The boys department is one
OF the most hopeful in our work, and the
chairman of that committee merits the hear
ty thanks of this Association for his fidelity
and success in the enlargement of this line
OF usefulness. We love the boys and in them
Is our hope for the future of our Association.
Our women's auxiliary also come in for a
very large share of our heartfelt praise. 1t
is to these that we are indebted for many
privileges and this causes us to expect much
from them the coming year / am sure that
they VIII not fail us In our time of need.
The close relations of our local churches
in our Association is cause for deep
and reverent gratitude we are an
arm OF the church has been rightly said and
we hope to be used of the church and prove
to be "a strong right ARM" Our much be-
loved pastors have proved many times to be
true friends indeed, may the Lord bless and
prosper each is our most earnest prayer.
Some OF the new features of our work during
the year have been: the young mems Thurs
day evening meeting, the Bible training
ings, the boys gospel service, the Fort Prebls
gospel service, a daily register in our
rooms, monthly bulletin (the Communi-
cator,) the adoption of new constitution
for both Association and the Woman's
Auxiliary, thereby bringing into service
association committees for activity in devel-
oping our influence among young men.
These have all assisted in bringing our as
ISOLATION up to higher standing in our own
community not only, but also placing us on
level with associations who have far more
privileges than we have enjoyed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
The Christian Work Committee, P. G.
Pinkham, chairman, outlined the work in
the religious departments of the association
as 1t had been carried ON during the year.
The interest has been very very marked and
Is cause for much qualification on the part Of
the association.
Reports were also received from the visit
ing committee, G. III. Dinsmore, chairman;
reception committee, A. w. Puddington,
chairman; boarding house committee, c. f.
johnson, chairman. The committee on
rooms and library, DIR. Geo. A. Clark, chair
man, resented very interesting report
showing an increased use of the Association
privileges and the pressing need of gym
nasium and many other attractions neces-
sary to the successful prosecution of Y. M.
Z. A. work. The report closed showing the
necessity for the Association to move for a
new building
Geo. f. French chairman, reported for the
lecture committee and Mr. A. Il. Merrill,
chairman, for the boys branch The inter-
est manifested in this department is most
gratifying and grand work is being done.
TREAsURER's REPORT.
The renOrt of the trea surer ia as followt