, 1892-03-08
FOR YOUNG MEN.
An Institution Perpetuated in
Their Behalf.

The Young MEMS Christian ass
soetatton,s Efforts to Elevate
Humanity what They Are Ac-
complaining.
A short time ago new and fascinating
game was placed in the game room of the
Young Mems Christian Association head
quarters at 3O8 Fourth street. The fact
was not advertised in any way, but before
many days had passed it was noticed that
there was marked increase in the at
tendance at the rooms of boys and youths
from 13 to 20 years Of age-the period in life
when the predisposition Of boys becomes
fixed either for good or for evil.
This game so interested them, together
with other attractions at the rooms that
they have become habitual visitors. They
come in contact with influences in this
way that tend insensibly toward elevation
OF character-and character as all men
know, seals the destiny of the man. It is
an indisputable fact that boys and youths
who once come under the influence of a
strong. association and form friendships
among the members are insensibly drawn
upward. The subject of religion may
never be mentioned to them until they be-
come interested in the matter themselves
and speak about it to some member of the
association.
The great field Of operations for the
Young Mems Christian Association is
among the youths of the age mentioned,
because at that age they are more easily
influenced. After a young man has
reached his majority, passed out into
active life, and become imbued with the
spirit of liberalism and infdelity that is so
prevalent at the present time, it is hard
matter to reach him. Where one young
man of this class can be brought back and
induced to live as he should, six or eight
boys and youths of the tender and roman
tic age can be influenced to choose the
right way at the outset. Prevention is
better than cure, but at the same time
while prevention may be more efficacious,
the association is constantly on the watch
for an opportunity to help those young
men who have "gOne wrong" who are
keenIy conscious Of their own misdeeds
and shortcomings, and who are eager to
lead better lives.
A strong and well supported association
can exert a remarkable influence for good
upon the young men of community.
1t is silent and persistent like the growth
of coral reef or the rise and fall Of the
tide. Permanent good is seldom achieved
amid confusion and excitement Charac-
GCI IlOulullAS ID d WOIh Glldb requires. 1nLl-
mite care and patience. Lime upon line,
precept upon precept, here little and
there little, is the way it is described in
the scriptures. Silently, hour by hour,
day by day, week by week, the quiet, per
suasive, yet powerful influences of the as
soe1atlon IS eXerted upon the young men
VINO come IN contact with its workers.
Without doubt it is the greatest power
in existence designed solely for the up
building of young men. Millions of dollars
have been expended in it's maintenance
and every year the amount is being in
creased. 1t grapples with the evil institu-
tlOns OF the present age and seeks to lead
young men onward and upward by inspir-
ing within their secret souls desire for the
grandest possibilities Of their natures, b No
attempt whatever is made to coerce a
young man into "joining the church. y
The real motive is to lead them to form a
hiah ideal Of true manhood and then strive
to realize that ideal in their own case, The
association also proceeds upon the pre-
Sumption that every young man is capa-
BILE OF being thus inspired, but in order to
reach him and turn his thoughts in the di-
rection desired, it is necessary to surround
him with certain influences.
AS an outgrowth of the desire to reach
young men with strong bodies and active
minds came the institution of the reading
room, the public reception room, all kinds
of fascinating games, the gymnasium,
baths, library, educational classes athletic
clubs, social gatherings, etc. These are all
designed for the upbuilding of young
men.
In order to carry on this class of work
to the best possible advantage the a8socia.
tion must be in well furnished quarters in
a central location The Olympia associa
ton expects to leave its present quarters
soon for rooms better adapted for extensive
work. 1t remains with the people of OIynl
pia whether the association will become a
permanent and powerful institution OF
not. The association cannot exist without
financial sr1r,r,nr