The times., 1891-10-16
TN. o. A. Stat. Convention.

been looking forward to the annual state
convention of the Young Mems Christian
Association with great expectancy. The
convention fulfilled all their hopes and de-
sires. 1t was magnificent success. The
local associatiOn-and particularly its secre-
tary, e. T.. LOhnes- is to be heartily con-
graduated on securing the convention for
Owosso. The good to result from such
splendid gathering of christian young men
cannot be estimated. The local association
is indebted to the citizens for the royal man
ner In which the 222 visiting delegates were
entertained. We regret that it is impossible
TO place before our readers verbatim re-
port OF the entire proceedings.
GENERAL SECRETARIES CONFERENCE.
The pstrlor conference of the General Sec
retaries opened at the association parlor, on
wednesday afternoon at o'clock. The fol-
lowing were present: State Secretary III. M.
Clarke, Detroit; General Secretaries-F. II.
Clark, Marquette; r. j. Searls. Bay City;
X. Z. 'Fenner, MenOminee; K. Il. Hall, Yp-
silanti; G. w. Britt. Flint; ii. M. Fillebrown,
Battle Creek; G. K. Thomas, Lansing; l. G..
Jenkins, Detroit; w. IL. Oyerton, Saginaw;
5. X. Mckee, Saginaw. Assistant Secreta-
ries, A. j. Stafford, A. +. Garland, Grand
Rapids; Saml. War;, Saginaw.
Ihe opening exercise consisted of a song
and prayer service, led by Saml War;. Sec
retary Mckee acted as chairman. and Secre-
tary Hall as secretary. The first topic dis
cussed was, "HOw can the Secretaries of
Michigan come i'm closer touch with each
other throughout the year?" paper pre-
sented by Secretary Jenkins, of the Detroit
railroad department. Better acquaintance
and more frequent conferences were suggest
ed. r. G. Fenner's paper treated of 1.-The
general secretary in his relation to the reli
gious meeting. His opportunities and dan
gers" 1t was his idea that the secretary
should "have an unseen grip on the gospel
meetings lead by workers." He thought the
secretary should not do too much of the pre-
liminary work, but be able to give good at
tention to the spiritual part. To keep up in
terest In these meetings, frequent changes in
the program were uggested-have meeting
at the opera house once In two months, with
prominent speaker to lead. Sec'y Searl
thought the ''lOng steady pull without the
extras" gave the best esults. The discus
sion on this paper was prolonged but in
tensely interesting. Physical Director Gar
land read paper on ''POints to be empha-
sized in our physical work" Many of his
suggestions were approved, but on the ques-
ton of boxing and fencing i'm the gymnasium
the secretaries were divided, the discussion
being quite lively, with the sentiment OPP
posed to allowing it. The paper of Sec'y
Swift, Kalamazoo, on systematic Giving"
read by Sec'y OvertOn, is as follows:
SYSTEMATIC GIVING.
This subject could be made to include very
properly, the giving of time, love- work, and of
every talent we possess, in a systematic way to
the cause OF Christ; but the idea that at once
suggests itself to the mind is the giving OF
money, and this phase is the one specially treat
ed Of in this paper.
The matter OF raising money for religious and
charitable purposes has been a problem for
which, until recently, there has been found no
satisfactory solution. Churches have even de-
scended to methods which were open to grave
question on the score of honesty and the spread
of the Good News has been greatly retarded by
the great difficulty in obtaining funds. The
world, with its millions of souls, and its bound
less wealth, is before u.s. The Divine promise
is: "Whosoever shall call upon the name OF the
Lord shall be saved" But 'How then shall
they call on Him in whom they have not believ-
ed and how shall they hear without preachers
and how shall they preach except they be sentY'
How can the worlds material wealth be swung
into channel which will freight vessel for
Africa with 5000 missionaries and no rum, in
stead of nine missionaries and 5000 barrels of
body wrecking, heart-breaking, soul-destroying
liquid hell" How can the money Of the United
States be turned into paths which will enable
the Young Mems Christian Association to en-
ploy as many men as the liquor dealersY Some
thing like 300 association employees in the State
of Illinois and 5000 men engaged in the business
of running bodies, minds and souls believe.
One of the ancient philosophers said il he
wanted to change the course of river he would
go to it's source, where 1t was only tiny rivulet
and there make the change. and II he wished to
alter the character of q nation he would begin
with its youth.
Habit makes character and "good character
is valuable above all things else." Habit con-
sists in doing thing without thinking of how
to do it. For instance, baby has to pay great
attention to every detail about walking, but
after the art Is thoroughly mastered 1t requires
no particular attention from the mind. 1t is
therefore important that the child be taught to
turn the toes out, stand erect, and TO expand
the chest, in order that correct habit may be
formed
The solution OF the money for missions" prob
lem lies in the training Of all, young and old and
as far as possible, to give Systematically, regu-
larly, a certain percentage of their earnings Be
the amount small or large, let 1t be taken out OF
the salary and placed aside, or disposed of i'm
mediately. The doing of this again and again
will in time make it . matter Of course for the
man and woman to give as the Lord has pros
Our associations have set before themselves
a three-fold purpose in the training of young
men-education and development Of the body,
mind and soul, and we have duty before us in
this matter Of giving The benefit derived from
the expenditure Of the money is but q small
part OF the blessing. The quickening Of gene
rous impulses, the sharpened vision in regard to
the need of helping ones fellows and above all
the blessing of Gods smile resting upon our
actions, are results in the lives of ourselves and
our friends which we should be only too anxious
TO secure. The man who selfshly bestows all
his wealth. upon h1mSel1 ana MS FAMILY, urging
the plea that Charity begins at home" is not
wise, he is foolish. Listen to the words of Iesus
"Give and 1t shall be given unto you; good
measure, pressed down. and shaken together,
and running over shall men give into your
bosom. For with the same measure ye mete
withal, il shall be measured to you again.
The Extension Fund" has been an educa-
tional feature along this line in many associa
tions, and one which Is worthy trial by all.
The object is the extension of the work of the
Young Mems Christian Association both at
home and abroad, and the members are asked
to pay certain amount, payable at stated inter
walls (Which constitutes the educational feature),
which, 1t is understood shall be in addition to
their church contributions. Where ii is possible
to have reports from the different fields into
which the money has gone, an added interest is
taken in the fund For instance the Brooklyn
association paid the expenses of q man to do Y.
M. g. A. work among the students of Paris, Ber-
lin and o few other continental cities, from
whom, of course, they heard in regard to the
progress of his work, which gave a personal
interest to the contributions that can hardly be
obtained in giving to funds from which no
more is heard. The International Committee
has suggested that the amount collected for this
fund be divided among the home work, the state
work, the International Training School and the
International Committee. The International
Committee have many objects which need
money and an association can specify to which
IL desires its money to go, or leave its disposi-
tion to the discretion OF the Committee. be-
lieve this apportionment will give a satisfactory
outlet for all money that can be raised.
Unless one has q system by which to run his