The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-04-18
AnImportant Movement.

Two services were held In this village
last Sunday in the interest of young
men. There was an informal confer
ence in the vestry Of the Congregational
church in the Afternoon, and a Union
service in the Methodist church in the
evening, where Mr.. L. A. Lawrence,
State Secretary of the Young Mems
Christian Association of Maine and Yer
mont presented the work of the organlza-
ton.
The subject in the evening was the
origin, growth and reasons for the
growth of the Associations of the cuun-
try. 1t was stated that the frs, nssocia-
tion was organized in London. England,
in 1874 the second in Montreal, Dec. .,
1851. Referring 10 the growth the fol
lowing figures were given:
In 1868 there We're 60 associations,
now 1910 or $500 in the world. In lsGs,
six salarled officers, now nearly 900.
In 1865 not 6 College associations, now
273, with membership of 1000. In
1865 there were no railroad associations.
now there are -. In 1868 about $685.
was expended in the general work, now
81 $3.50 600.
The international committee was then
referred to, whose expenses in 1850 were
$50, now S43 900 They employ agents
who devote themselves to the following
departments, Railroad men, commercial
travellers, Germans and the college stu
dents. The value of the pre- perty owned
by the associations j. more than s. UO0,-
600.
The object of the work was stated to
be the Improvement Of the spiritual, men
tai, social, and physical condition of
young men. The speaker said that she
religious features were not made as
prominent As formerly, the principle
meetings being the Bible class, aud song
service which is held on Sunday after
noon
The secular agencies nov used 10 at
tract young men were stated to be the
reading room, parlor, recreation room,
gymnasium, social entertainments, edu-
cational classes, debating society, fami-
liar talks and outdoor sports during the
summer months.
The reasons for the growth were loyal
ty to the church, loyalty to the Bible, de-
finitene,s of aim namely a work by, and
tG~young men, aud the employment of
general secretary who devotes his
whole time to the work,
Reference was made to the fact that
the work was one of prevention and de-
velopment rather than of a reformatory
character Instances were given of
young men who had been greatly benefit
ted along these lines.
The reasons given why the work was
for young men were;
|. Because that is the object of the
work.
2, Because of the large number of
young men, l-6 of whom are between the
ages of Ii and 40. 1t was stated that
the Sunday schools.
3. Because of their Importance to the
church, home, business and political
life
1. Because of the temptations to
which young men were exposed.
The fact was dwell upon that there
should be in every community Il place
provided for the young men where they
can spend their evenings in pleasant
and profitable manner.
1t is proposed to have a readng-r room
which will he open day and evening, and
supplied with the leading papers and
magazines.
AT a conference held in vestry of the
Methodist church on Monday evening it
was voted to organize an Association
provided 5000 could be secured. Mr..
Lawrence left town on Tuesday, but will
probably return the last of this or the
first of next week, when an ef)rt will be
made to secure the necessary funds.
Atkinson House Furnishing Company
of Portland, have opened branch store
at Gardiner Me-, in the Coliseum build |
ing.