The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-27
YOUNG CHRISTIANITY.
It's Beneficent Sway Over
Budding Manhood.

Inc Lnlfu anniversary OL tue 1Ouug
Mems Christian Association of this city
was celebrated in seven of the local
churches last evening.
At the Tabernacle an immense congre-
CATION packed the auditorium and
thronged the gallery. The exercises were
enlivened with excellent choir singing
and the congregation enthusiastically
sang such well known hymns as Ring
the Bells of Heaven" ITO the Work."
and ''Hold the Fort
The one-armed veteran, General O. O.
Howard, member of the International
Committee of the Y. NJ. G. A., made the
address of the evening. He was intro
duced by Pastor Scudder as q man whose
fame extended from Sandy Hook to the
Golden Gate, and from Lake Superior to
the Gulf of Mexico, as a Christian soldier
as well as defender Of his country.
The General is a pleasant talker, and
for an hour interested his audience with
military anecdotes illustrative of the
beauties of loyalty.
THE Y. NJ. c. A. IS FOUNDER.
He referred briefly to his personal ac-
Quaintance with George Williams, of
LONDON, the founder OF the first Young
Mems Christian Association, and said he
particularly noticed that the pioneers
enthusiasm in his great work was con-
centrated mainly upon two general de-
sires-one to save the souls OF young men
and the other to prevent them going
astray The General spoke in glowing
terms of the growth and the substantial
work of the associations in this country
Vice President S. o. Church read the
report of the Board of Directors for the
year ending December 81, 1889. The re-
port was prefaced with the remark that
1t was but proper and in accord with the
constitution of the association that an
appealing to the public for
its support should render an account of
its stewardship TO those whose moral and
financial aid have made its work possible.
The directors hoped that the associa-
ton had passed the experimental stage OF
its existence and established itself as one
of the permanent institutions of Jersey
City. The great need for such work in
the community was undoubted, and the
fact that the association still existed was
proof that TO some extent, least, its its
work had been appreciated. Nlnety-one
new members were admitted during the
year. The association has at present
membership of 300.
AN ATHLETIC SECRETARY.
In the report reference is made to the
recent combination of the services per-
formed by Physical Instructor r. A.
Clark, now holding similar position in
Burlin gton, VT, rnd those of the faithful
Assistant 6ecFetdry U6oIst p Neuuel,
now fitting himself for foreign mission
work Mr.. Z. A. Roleson fills the com
bined positions with credit. He personally
superintends the outdoor sports, con-
ducts classes within the gymnasium each
week, gives individual instruction to a
number of pupils, and assists in the
n necessary correspondence and care OF the
rooms.
The reading room is well supplied with
good literature; all the leading news
papers and magazines are on file; more
young men have visited the rooms than
previously, 20,352 visits being recorded,
exclusive of meetings and receptions.
The circulating library contains 603
volumes, but there is room on the shelves
for as many more. The library is well
patronized. The social room is supplied
with innocent games, and the rooms are
open week days from haif past eight a. m.
till ten p. M.
An excellent course of entertainments
had been provided and held in various
churches. The average attendance was
214 Several receptions Were given at the
rooms by the Ladies' Auxiliary, who also
kept open house on New Years Day.
There was an average attendance of 146
at these receptions. A series of six prac-
tical talks was given by prominent busi-
which was highly appreciated py those
privileged to attend.
THE ASSOCIATIONS PRACTICAL WORK.
Someone is always present in the even
ings to receive and entertain young men
who are strangers. Writing materials
were furnished Tor III Letters. 81 were
directed to suitable boarding houses, EN-
ployment was secured for 10 and so were
assisted financially Letters of introduce
ton were given to 16 young men leaving
the citv, came bringing such letters and
were assisted.
Ten thousand invitations to religious
services were distributed on the streets,
notices of the associations work an
nounced from the pulpits, and the local
papers gave frequent and kindly mention.
The Literary Society held eighteen ses-
sions, there were fifty five committee
meetings, and recently organized or
chestra held thirteen rehearsals. Seven
members meetings averaged thirty-one,
and 800 persons listened to DR.. Near
thurs address. The General Secretary
made fifty visits to sick young men and
conducted twenty-nine church services;
1.375 letters, 90S postals and Z ,424 other
pieces of mail matter we're sent out. The
total number of visits to the rooms were
23, ,514.
The Greenville branch was doing a
noble work There were ia religious
meetings held, fifty-seven of which were
gospel meetings. These were attended
by 1904 persons, an average of thirty-fiye.
Fifty-fiVe Bible class meetings were at
tended by 526 young men. Eight men,
bers ioined church, eighteen sought re-
ligious instruction and thirty expressed
desire to lead new life.
The work had been conducted upon an
economical basis. The yearly expenses
were $500. The past year had begun
with an Indebtedness which had been
accommodating since the organization of
the association, but owing to liberal con-
tributions and pledges of a few friends
this year found it substantially free.
The association was obliged to decline
many opportunities for work owing to
lack Of funds, and claims thai its work
can never meet the demands in this city
in it's present inadequate quarters. A
building fund had been already started
and Sl4 900 pledged.
ABOUT ITS FINANCES
After reading the report Mr.. Church
called the attention of the audience to
the fact that but 5000 of the $500 were
raised by the yearly dues There were
also thirty sustaining members at $40
each. The balance was contributed by
few liberal hearted Christian citizens.
Newark, he said, has 300 sustaining mem
bers The New Brunswick association
raised $4,000 yearly; Paterson, $500;
Orange, $1,000; Newark, Sl2,S00. Jersey
City was away behind.
GRACE CHURCH'S REVIVAL.
Railroad Engineers Figure Exhorters
Drawing to q Close.
Services of an unusually interesting