Morning journal and courier., 1890-10-18
v. M. G. A. PROGRESS.


ures of Grovvth-A Rousing Evening |
Meeting With Able Addresses.
The second days proceedings of the Y.
NJ. G. A. state convention were held yes
terday, the morning and afternoon sessions |
being at the First M. e. church. There |
were many new faces to be seen Of those |
who had arrived in town in the morning.
The morning service was begun at $3.50
by singing led by Mr.. and Mrs. Towner.
THE work of our association among young
men engaged in mechanical and manufac-
turing pursuits was the subject of a con-
versation by D. A. Sanford of Stamford.
He recommended that classes and lectures
be established upon topics pertaining to
mechanics. Such course would interest
the young men, and ultimately many of
them might be induced to join the associa-
ton.
The second topic was ''Work for Boys"
a paper presented by Arthur B. Ross Of
Brooklyn, N. Y. The paper was an able
one. Mr.. Ross considers that boys can be
attracted to Christ effectually by the gym
nasium, healthful outdoor athletics and
refined entertainments.
Fl. B. Gibson of Middletown wrote pa
per on ''The Connecticut Athletic Union"
but in his absence it was read by another
delegate.
''lhe Work of the Past Year" was
treated by Charles A. Jewell, chairman of
the state committee. He referred to the
first meeting of the State association held
in this city in 1865 and now the conven-
ton met in the same place for the twenty.
9Th 1oaofino WV oco0aiQfinnc hauQ
been organized this year.
H. M. Knapp of Bridgeport, the treas
urer of the state committee, reported total
receipts Of So, 642. 49, including So, 712 con-
tributed, 1915 by association. Of this sum
$42, "a had been paid to the state secre-
taries' department. There was an over
draft of Sc, 800, but the sum of $121 due in
fees would, when paid, leave small bal
ance in the treasury. The average salaries
of association secretaries was between $500
and 5000.
A comparison of the growth of the work
in the state since 1887 was shown in fig
ures as follows:
Expenses of association in 1887, $50,
204, and in 1890, $63, 506 49, Membership
in 1887 was 5, 538 and 6,921 in $780, Value
of associations property in 1887 was $780,
1866; in 1890, $506,817. Membership fees
in 1889, $13, 463. There were 100 towns in
the state of l 900 population or over where
was no association. An effort was to be
made to organize work in these towns by
corresponding with proper persons, and
much was expected in this line the coming
year.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session began with the
usual service of song conducted by Mr.
and Mr. Towner, lasting for about one
| half hour. The attendance was fairly
| large, and manifested much interest in thu
remarks and addresses. Mr.. Charles A
| Jewell of Hartford, chairman of the state
| committee, presided. The first speaker Of
| the meeting was R. r. McBurney of New
York, who read paper on Bible teaching
| in the Young Mems Christian association
| The paper was forcible one, setting forth
| the need of thorough course of Bible
| study and exposition in the association.
Every association should have q Bible
class of members, enthusiastic and reverent
He was followed by Mr.. G. Il McCor
mick of Syracuse, N. Y, who read .
paper on "Indoor and outdoor physica
| work, true principles and best methods.
| Mr.. Mccormick showed that he was en-
| thusiastic in this department and earnes
| in this belief; that in this field there is
| way of reaching young men for Chris
| that is possessed by none other. Education
| he said, in the past has smoothed tn,
way for the association to be leader il
| this method of physical development. 4
| sposmodic effort is not what is needed blu
| a steady and continued work is necessar,
| for physical Improvement
| Well developed muscles and good healtl
are instrumental in carrying on the worl
of Christianity, and for this strict cours
Of education is necessary. Class drill is, i
seems to me, the best course, But abov
all systematic work is necessary in tn
gymnasium, but the idea of health shout
always be the first object sought aud nc
mere display of ones prowess in danger
GUS feats. The thing that we need in thi
country is able-bodied young men to wor
| out its destiny. This is one of true dc
portments of the Young Mems Christia
association, to advocate and help in tn
physical development of young mer
which is an important factor in our HON
and national life. Purity in athletic
means as much as purity in politics.
believe that much of the ball pla,
ing of last season has bee
of an injurious character, b,
this might be remedied within the associ,
ton by set Of rules and regulation
drawn up on Y. M. G. A principles n
games should be played with other clul
that play Sunday games, no one should
allowed to enter an athletic contest who
unfit physically and thereby incur injur
} Every care should be taken, for the glol
of young man is his physical strength
At the conclusion of his paper Mr.. McCo
mick was asked many questions by tho
, | who had become much interested in b
vigorous exposition of this importa
branch of Y. M. G. A. work.
Mrs. James A. Bill, jr., of Springfield
d, Mass, was the next on the program. 81
r read paper that was most interesting
the work of the women's auxiliary in q
association.
Z How much, said she, is there that we c,
4 do in making life pleasanter for the YOU
man who comes stranger to the cit
working on a small salary and therel
compelled to seek cheap boarding hou
= and other discomforts. The Young Mer
Christian association can do much, but
can't do all. 1t is the duty of women
be interested in this work, especially tho
5 with brothers Much can be done by the
r in the way of beatifying, in the sick roo
= and entertainments, that bring out the
, NJ. G. A. before the public. We all kno
: how many temptations there are that a
about the young men continually, al
therefore one should strive to make Il
| TOOluS VI Luo AuALldTy tuo MORO aItTdcUlS
and counterfeit the evil influences. The
half of our fellow men.
Mrs. Bill advocated strongly that ladi
who did not belong to an auxiliary shou
join one, if there was one, or, if not, for
one Immediately. Her paper was receiv
y with liberal applause. After song fl
!, lowed the discussion Of questions, wi
l. Mr.. r. M. Armstrong of Boston in t
chair. The first question up was wheth
= young ladies should be admitted to the
, M. G.. A. gymnasium. Mr.. McCormi
4 was Immediately called upon to give /
opinions and replied, in certain places, ye
He said he had class, highly successf
in Syracuse. It numbered forty and h,
an average attendance of thirty eigl
The work accomplished was highly sat
factory. Here Mr.. Jewell asked what CO
Mr.. Mccormick, who probably, like mo
men, is not very observant in the dire
ton of feminine apparel, and he repi,
hesitatingly, "Well, should say it was
somewhat assorted mass of variegat.
rigs"
The question drawer was comfortab
well filled with inquiries that consum,
three-quarters Of an hour to discuss.
Mrs. Bill met a number of the ladies'
713 Chapel street to discuss with the
the matter of auxiliary work more I'M
mately.
The parlor conference for pastors W
well attended and presided over by Re
w. F. Markwick Of the st. John street
E. church.
In the Evening at Center Church.
The evening session began promptly al
| O'clock in Canter church with muaic Fl