The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-14

bership fees. a result. ! think, Of the fact that
We are now able 20 offer and maintain yalua-
PIE privileges which are not u 10 obtained
ELSEWHERE at the same cost. ana winch are.
"a nave been endeaYorlng 70 show, as legiti-
mate a. the spiritual and intellectual features
~ work.
SYSTEMATIC EXERCISES.
The modern physical work and teaching in
the Association has. under the leadership and
influence Of conscientious, careful Christian
teachers. been entirely divorced and steadily
kept tar from the style of work seen IN the
first era Of training for achievements IN the
line OF proves aud in acrobstic accom-
pishmeuts and also from the later but as
dangerous period Of practice for attempts ~
athletic record breaking and Las rather
been held closely TO the simple but scientific
work OF systematic exercise IN AL round
body building where the beauty exhibited IL
not feats Of daring, but the poetry ~ motion
andsymmetrv OF limb. AndtLe leaders IN the
Associations are convinced that the physical
work may be carried on with the same uplift-
ing spirit and high tone that characterIZes all
the other departments OF our work.
Its value % the Association would indeed
DO lessened If 1t was seen. as w~rOngiuily
prOphesled by some, that the great and pow
eriul effort was q detriment IN any way 10 the
other features Of the work and the spiritual
tone Of the Association life. but we find from
the same recent statistical reports that never
before has the religious work OF our oTgauizs-
ton been larger, more intense IN spirit, or
yielding such large results.
Indeed now much If the religious work is
b. personal effort done IN and through
the gymnasium classes. as well as IN the
formal prayer or gospel services. and by tho
refined and cOnsecra.ed Christian instructors.
medical examiners aid class leaders. as we'll
as 10y the pTayer-meetlng leaders.
ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT.
Shall we not then give this department our
enthusiastic support 10 make II what II can
and should be, shall we not on returning
homo urge our associations % establish and
nurture such an important agency If one is
not already IN operation, Should not the
boards Of directors and physical department
committees devote more CAREFUL attention and
study 70 this work and secure liberal apprO-
p|rlutiOns fOri its maintainnnce, Will u not DO
a wise and proper effort where two paid men
cannOt he employed for the general secretary
10 ft himself % organize and conduct such
work. and IN places where 10 paid agent Is at
work might not the best-trained Christian
man in the membership be q leader * gym
nasium classes
And, brethren. I feel that we as secretaries
and managers and active member have not
been supporting the physical directors 70 the
full extent OF our abilities by our frequent at
tendance upon the classes. thus showing that
we recognize the wonderful opportunities
there are there for personal contact with young
men. and aiding. by the eXertion Of our inlu-
enco, 10 lead the young men to better and
purer life.
TO MAZE LOYAL NFyBFRs.
/ believe that we should not be satisfied
until we have found. rs directors. not only
gymnGstic teachers. but men ThO have pow
erful personal influence for good and who, by
their understanding and devotion 20 the As
ISOLATION work and principles. are making al
most every man coming under their superyls-
ion t. be loyal Association members and
workers as well rs men with tough Shows and
hardy bodies. Even II we do have such men
we should also SEQ that some Of our very
best Christian fellows arc especially detailed
D. attend the gymnasium classes and 10 be on
the gymnasium floor as reception committees
10 act with the director IN maintaining the re-
fined tone Of the decorum and conversation
in the bath, dressing and class-rOoms. and TO
be ready 70 speak the word in season about
The claims Of Christ. Rest assured that these
Christian fellows. of perhaps sedentary haolts
and occupation. viii lose nothing III attend
ing 20 this branch Of the Master vineyard.
for in attending t. the needs OF their physical
nature they may be soon able 10 DO better III
their religious and secular duties.
SPEEDILY OPEN II WAY.
In closing shall leave 10 the well-yersed
physical directors here the part OF IultAer en-
tightening and enthusing you on this lmpor-
taut subject by accurate pOrtrayals or the ele-
CANT and oxcellently arranged quarters and
apparatus, and the particular system of gym
nastic work which Is now 40 the command OF
thousands of young men who are IN our as
sOciatlons, and whom we hope are being
brought in large numbers 10 "glOrlty God IN
their bodies and in their spirit, which are
Gods ! express the hope that the Lord
may speedily open the way whereby many
more of the thousands of Virginia young men
may through our better equipped associations
be reached and benefited by the upbulldlng
and uplifting work of the gymnasium.
Tho Associations Claims.
At the parlor conference Of the ministers
held AZ Sir. IT,. o. Noltne's residence. on
Main and Fifth streets. the RCy. Robert J..
Kerr. j. d.. pastor OF the First Presbyterian
church in his city. read n paper on The
Claims OF the Association Upon the Church.
which was as tOilOvs.
If by the word church we mean the great
body of Christians throughout the world.
and not any particular organization. there is
little difficulty ia answering the question ln-
yolyed IN the subject of this paper. because II
the Church is that vast organism OF Chris
tians which has grown up under the Gospel
by the regenerating grace or the Holy Ghost.
the Young Mens Christian Association is an
institution of the Church and within the
Church. and not an outside society. ms
is the truth underlying the whole question Of