The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-20
Young Mems Christian Associations.

Among the many important religious
assemblies Of this summer has been the
Worlds Convention OF Young Mems Chris
tian Associations, which opened at Amster-
dam, in Holland, last week. Delegates from
many countries were present, and reports
were printed and addresses delivered in
English, French, Dutch. and German.
These associations arc OF comparatively
recent origin, and most OF those represented
at Amsterdam have boon formed within a
very few years. In our own country they
are especially strong and numerous. They
exist in every large city and in many Of the
more considerable towns. oftentimes occu-
plying buildings which arc among the most
notable in the different communities for size
and architectural pretension. They are sup
ported in part by small fees from members,
but chiefly by endowments, which frequent
ly are large. OF late years they have
taken on something OF the character
Of q religious club. and they have
sought to attract young men by providing
gymnasiums libraries, reading rooms, and
various facilities for intellectual training.
But their main and most prominent purpose
Is always religious. Bible classes. prayer
meetings. spiritual addresses, and public
and private cNhortations to piety and
morality are their conspicuous features.
They also havo committees charged with
the duty OF looking after both the material
and tho religious welfare Of young men,
more particularly the strangers and now
corners In the great towns though the caro-
Of the soul rather than tho comfort OF tho
body istleir great object.
Thoy are missionary associations for the
benefit OF young men, and the religious
theories and principles by which they are
governed are what are known among the
Protestants as orthodox and evangelical.
Consequently Tho Unitarans have set up
unions OF their own on n plan somewhat
similar. OF course tho Roman Catholics do
not belong In their company. and the Epis-
copalians. unless r few OF those OF tho ex-
IRENE evangelical party OF the Church, are
not favorably disposed toward them. Even
some OF the ministers Of strictly evangelical
denominations are doubtful OF thor advan-
tnge as independent missionary organiza-
tions, questioning whether they do not
withdraw young men from activity In their
own particular churches. Yet. Us the statis-
tics presented at Amsterdam show these
Young Mems Christian Associations are
multiplying steadily. Increasing their mem
bership and their financial strength, and
extending the range OF their enterprise.
Within the Inst fow years they have
undertaken the conversion OF heather
young men after systematic method; and
for long time past they have devoted par
ticular attention to Roman Catholic coun-
tries, one OF tho principal subjects OF dis
cussion ut Amsterdam last week having
been, HOY to counteract the difficulties
which prevent their development" in such
lands. Very naturally, tho Church OF Rome
regards them as form Of Protestant propa-
ganda, which, OF course. they are. and 1t
treats them as a partisan religious move
ment In heather countries they add an
other to the many varieties OF Christian
effort which tend to confuse the heather
mind with their different and conflicting
interpretations OF the religion OF JESUS.
How they are regarded by the Protestant
missionaries we do not know bu, it is prob
able that these would prefer that the money
expended on the Young Mems Christian As
sociations. In Japan and elsewhere In hea-
thendom, should go to the support OF their
own propaganda, more particularly at this
time when SO many orthodox Protestsnts
are giving up the old theory OF heather