The record-union., 1891-09-26
IT'S NOBLE WORK.
What the Young Mems Christian AS
sociation is Doing.
A Convention of the Local Associa-
tions to be Held Here Next Month
"A Journalists Endorsement.

The Convention of the Young Mems
Christian Associations of California. to
be held in this city from October 14th to
18th, viii undoubtedly be one of interest
20 many who are not directly connected
with the association, as well as to its
members and friends The work of the
association has won for itself the indorse-
lnent not only of the religious bodies OF
the world, but of many of the leading
business men in the old and new worlds,
who have not only given it personal in
dorsement by word of mouth, but have
given to it largely of their means.
Among the largest subscribers to its
current expenses in all our American
cities are the banks and business houses,
TO whom the religious side of the work
does not directly appeal, but who see in
the many-sided work carried on by the
associations something that is practical
and helpful to the young men of the
community, among whom are their own
employees.
Some years ago a committee headed
by William q. Dodge called upon the
then dry goods king, A. T. Stewart, for
help IN building home for the young
luen OF New York City. The committee
we're little uncertain as TO how their re-
quest would be met, and were more than
;sstonished when Mr.. Stewart at once
agreed to give $4,000. Mr.. Dodge warmly
thanked him for his generous gift, and
-dr. Stewart replied:
You owe me no thanks, Mr.. Dodge.
An organization that viii do for a COM
1nunlty what your association is doing
ought not to ask for support, but has a
right TO go to the business men and tell
them what they owe to it.''
Some of the largest individual gifts
made during the last decade have been to
this work, and city of any importance
tnat has not a Y. NJ. c. 4. building is
now considered as lacking q very essen
tlal mark of progress.
q. P. HUNTTNGToN's DEEP INTEREST IN
THE ASSOCIATIONS WORK.
In a recent letter from c. P. Hunting
ion to Secretary SpeareS, in regard to the
discussion of the question at the conven-
ton, he says: 81 am quite in accord with
the object of the association, particularly
With the railroad branch of its work.
What Mr.. Depew has so justly said pro-
nOunces my own sentiments on the sub
jsct.
ANY Christian effort that serves to
draw railroad employees away from the
saloons and card tables must meet with
tLAC IlildIIlIlOuS dplTONdl, uOG only OF all
lhose who manage railroads, but all those
who use them. The latter, indeed, may
well regard with anxious hope the prog
Iess of such a work, as their lives are
within the hands of those whom they
must blindly trust.
Nor do / fail to appreciate the import
ance to the employees themselves OF such
2 movement in their direct interest and
in the name of good fellowship.
IlOrG is no class of work
in this country for which l have more re-
spect than for that Of the railroad en-
ploye.
There is no other class of workers
whose duties are more responsible than
theirs, and | am glad to say that in my
opinion there is no other body of men
who, as class, acquit themselves more
IOnorably and creditably
Il do not believe that the State Conven-
ton Of your association will have any
ether subject before it more deserving of
attention than the welfare of the railroad
employees"
WHAT THE PRESS has DONE.
Where the work of the association has
been properly conducted it has always
found warm advocate and strong friend
IN the press, and not a few building pro-
Jects have been pushed to successful is
sue through the help afforded by the
local newspapers.
One of the most remarkable instances
Of this kind is that OF the late Henry w.
Grady OF the Atlanta Constitution. His
interest IN this work dates back only six
years. When the International Conven-
ton met IN Atlanta in 1885 two of the
delegates were entertained at Mr.. Grady's
home. His wife was church member.
Tut Mr.. Grady, to use his own words
rarely got inside the vestibule of a church.
Mrs. Grady attempted to get him to at
nf No
linn that he could not help being inter-
ested II he would only go in and look at
the delegates. He pleaded a business en-
Sagement as an excuse for not going but
consented TO accompany his wife and the
delegates as far as the church door on his
way to the Constitution office 1t lust
happened that as they reached the door
the large male chorus struck up stir
Ilng song, and without realizing what he
was doing he accompanied the party into
the church. By the time the singing was
over he was greatly interested and de-
cided to spend the evening there. The
topics presented and discussed that nipht
revealed the work of the Y. NJ. C. A. to
him, and with his keen perception he
realized its importance. The next day,
1lay 18th, he said editorially in the At
lanta Constitution:
g" 1t may be fairly said that the proceed
llgs OF the convention of the Young
@.tGAi = Nli1 lStidlA ASSOtiallOn nave DeGn
Ia the nature of a revelation to the people
Of Atlanta. They have disclosed a
breadth, comprehension, earnestness and
compactness of Christian works of which
the general public has no adequate idea.
The beauty of this work is that it is
neither narrow nor creed-bound. but is
as wide as the limits of Christianity
itself. Its aim is to build up no sect, but
simply TO do good. So sincere, so practi-
cal and so all embracing is the spirit per-
Vading the associations, and transmitted
10 the convention, that even careless OBJ
servers must be thankful To know that
there is back of the governmental ma
chinery, behind the turmoil of business
and the whirl of society, so powerful an
organization working for the elevation
and purifying of the people. If there
We're no view but the temporal one, and
j the good this association is doing We're
limited by its effect on the day and gen
Grafton in which it works, we should
even then account it the most beneficent
social force of which we know.n
SHOCKING ACCIDENT
TN,.avly Eopfn,, SSY,Snapfa1 ~ rr;< Tro.5