The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-14
THE Y. N. {. A. IN HELENA
1t Has Been Reorganized, With
Fine Prospects for Future
Success.
A Secretary Has Been Secured
and Fine Rooms Will be
Provided.
a Bright Sketch of the Work in This City
"A Synopsis of DIR. Raleigh's
Easter Sermon.

Mr.. A. H. Nelson, president of the Hell
ena Y. NJ. G. A., writes as follows of the or
ganization:
1t is not probable that every reader of
The INDEPENDENT, intelligent as they must
necessarily become in all matters of public
interest, is aware of the extent and rapidly
growing influence of the Y. M. G. A.. From
the year book of the Young Mems Christian
associations of 1889, it appears that there
are 1888 associations scattered all over the
civilized world. In addition to the 1884 in
the United States, Great Britain has 61O;
Germany, CTS: Switzerland $50; Ceylon, Is;
Aslatic Turkey, II; South Africa. 10; Aus
tralia, II: Japan 6, and indeed there is not
to-day nation where the Christian religion
has any foothold, that is without this or
ganization, having for its exclusive object
the social. intellectual. moral and religious
welfare of young men. At the last worlds
conference of the Y. NJ. G. A.,
held in Stockholm, Sweden. Aug. 10
90 1888, over 300 delegates from every
quarter of the globe were present, and
papers were read and addresses made in
Swedish, German. French and English.
firm hold that this organization has Sc
cured upon popular support as the number
of associations that to-day own their homes.
In addition to the handsome structures in
which are located the Y. M. c. A. of New
York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and
San Francisco. worth from $15O,00O to
100000 each, there are $50 other cities and
large towns in the United States and else
where where the associations are the own
ers of the buildings in which they are
domiciled. The aggregate value of the real
estate thus held is over $7O0O,OOO, and this
Ea IF han, hi,4x
growth
AS to our own city, however, the question
has frequently of late been asked: 'What
has become of the Y. M. G. A.? Is it dead
or asleep or is it in condition of sus-
pended animationV'
The answer is, that it has during several
months past been gathering strength for a
more useful future, alternating as it were
to come out in the spring prepared to take
more active part than ever before in that
social and moral uplifting of the commu-
nifty, that will tend to make Helena the
most attractive city in this great state.
In 1856. under the lead of Colonel Charles
4. Bird, of the United States army, the
Helena Y. M. G. A. was organized, and sub
sequently under Secretaries Clemants and
Cutler, but more especially the latter, it
rapidly gained the confidence of the public,
securing generous support in its work for
young men. With the death of Secretary
Cutler in 1888 its hold upon the active
sympathy of the religious public gradually
weakened, SO that when in October last the
few upon whom the burden of maintaining
its struggling existence had fallen, gathered
to review the past and forecast the future,
1t was deemed best to call an immediate
malt, reorganlze for a more definite pur-
pose, and localiZing its efforts for the well
fare OF the young men of Helena in the
rooms of the association, leave to some
other organization the mission features,
which had been especially conspicuous in
its past history. TO that end reorganiza-
ton was effected; available assets were
used as far as needed to pay all debts, and
vigorous search. under the directions of
the executive committee of the international
association, at New York, was at once
of general secretary. After much cor
respondence and careful consideration of the |
comparative fitness of several candidates it is |
believed that the man for the place has
been found i'll the person of Wellington r.
Conner, at present the general secretary of
the Y. M. G. A. at Fort Smith, Ark, and to
him the board of directors at a recent meet
ing extended unanimous call, It is ex-
pectod that Mr.. Conner will begin his work
on May l, 1880. AS soon as he arrives he
will be introduced to our fellow citizens
and they will be asked to renew that liberal
support by which the work of the old Or
ganlzation was carried on, but with the
promise OF a more satisfactory return upon
their Investment than they nave ever real
lied before.
The most attractive and conveniently
located rooms obtainable will be at once Sc
cured, but only as temporary quarters. for
from the outset of this new departure it will
be our purpose to secure as speedily as pos
sible lot upon which to erect one of the
many handsome business buildings with
which the future Helena is to be adorned,
Why not2