Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-11

The association is comfortably housed at
1909 New York avenve, where John Chamber
lin once dispensed hospitality at regular rates
from his famous club. 1t is an entirely differ
ent looking place now, inwardly. 1t is auiet
hOmelike, refined. attractive. and scarce an
hour passes any day when from half dozen to
half a hundred young men may not be found
inside reading. talking or making good use OF
the gymnasium Ill the rear.
1t IS pleasant, convenient place to drop into
at any time when one has a spare five minutes
a wholesome. comfortable resting place There
is a popular idea abroad that the Y.M. C. A. is an
organization purely for religious work. the
members spending their time in fervid inter
changes OF religious experiences and express
slOns of mutual horror at the wicke dncss of the
world. In fact the title of the organization has
enormously given the impression. While, of
course. the central Thought is Christianity and
In the routine of association existence the exer-
else OF religions customs and the fostering of
religious tendencies is very often brought into
play. yet by 10 means are its members bound
down to any such limits of action as the public
would believe.
THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION.
In little pamphlet published by the asso-
citation the scope of its work is enumerated thus
under the caption what We Have" as a sort OF
association menu: Physical culture. social and
mental department-thc business school. health
talks, popular talks. receptions, literary soci-
ETY., reading room, library, &C.; religious de-
partment-gOspel and song service. young
mems meeting. Sunday school teachers meet
ing. Bible and training classes. &C." So it
will be seen that the main idea is that these
thousand young men are to be given pleasant
club home. with attractions and advantages, to
develop the physical, mental. moral, and social
phases OF their natures.
TALK OF NEW QUARTERS.
The house is not exactly what the association
would like, and plans are working in the minds
of directors for the enlargement of the
quarters on scale better suited to the
greatly increased membership. There was
some critical talk heard ON ono side and
another when, in September. 1882, the as
ISOLATION purchased the Chamberlin property
and took possession. 1t seemed to many a piece
of extravaganza that would surely ruin
the organization and cause it but
another set back such as it had been ex-
periencing almost ever since its start But
1t proved wise move. for since then the tree
has grown and blossomed. adding new branches
each year and gradually roofing itself too
firmly to be blown down by a disastrous wind
THE OFFICE.
On the first floor of the building is the Office.
a front room of some size, where the general
secretary. Mr.. James E. Pugh and his assistant,
Mr.. James W. Dvre, are kept busy from morn
ing until night with the heavy and varied duties
that this great organization entails upon
them. Here members are making inquiries
about the thousand and one details
of association life. prospective members are
asking question after question relative to the
benefits of the organization. strange young
men are making applications for employment
and receiving directions, and so the day goes
on, while the busy secretary wonders if there
is such thing as rest.