The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-12-16
Fifth Anniversary.

The fifth anniversary exercises or the
OwOssO Young Mems Christian Association
were held in the Methodist church Sunday
evening. AS has been the case heretofore
the largest auditorium i'm the city was none
too large to accommodate those interested in
the welfare of one of the best organizations
in the cty-an organization that has done
much, and will in the future do more, for
the uplifting of the young men of Owosso.
There were no services i'm the other church,
es of the city, the pastors all taking part on
the program of the evening.
The singing was led by large male
choir. The invocation was offered by Rev.
f.. b. Bancroft, the scripture lesson read by
Rev, s. Roosevelt, and the prayer made by
Rev. f. l.. Little. President G. s. Ems
.minger submitted the following:
ANNUAL REPORT.
Ladies' and Gentlemen: AS representa-
tive and i'm behalf of the OwOssO Y. M. G.
A., It gives me pleasure to greet you on this
our fifth anniversary, and we are profoundly
grateful to our Father in heaven for the de-
gree of prosperity which he has enabled US
to enjoy during our existence as an associa-
ton, and particularly for the blessings.
which have come to us during the year Just
closed.
Many of you know but little regarding
the history of our association, how 1t came
into existence, of encOuragements and dis
cOuragements which we have met and the
successes which have come to us rs a result
of our labors. Regarding its history will
briefly state that during the fall of 1887 the
Y. M. G. A. district committee arranged for
a conference to be held in our city with the
view of arOusing an interest in the salvation
of Young men. The plan was successfully
carried out and resulted in the organization
of young mems prayer meeting which met
in the chapels of the different churches each
Sunday D. m. These meetings were cun-
tinued for several weeks with encOurag-
ing results when desire was expressed by
several of the members that full-fledged
Y. M. C. A. might be organized. The
proposition met with favor and steps were
taken at once to carry out that plan. On
certain evening I'm November. 1887, there
was meeting called to assemble IN the lit
tie Congregational chapel. and at that time
the new association was placed on its feet,
weak and trembling to he sure, but determ-
iiIed. The officers elected were: K. ..
Dewey, president; q. l.. Lusk, vice presi-
dent; +. II. Clark, secretary; G. 5. Ems
minger, treasurer. Committees were APP
pointed at this meeting TO secure suitable
rooms and furnish them ready for Occu-
pancy by the new association. Our present
quarters were secured and comfortably fur
nished. Not feeling able to employ gen.
eral secretary at this time 1t was decided to
keep the rooms open only evenings until
some more satisfactory arrangement could
be made. This plan was followed until
May 1st. 1889 when Mr.. K. K. Lohnes came
to us as our general secretary. Our real
prosperity began On that date. real associa-
tion WORK was carried on, and its influence
began to be felt among the young men.
Mr.. LOhnes continued with the association
until February 1st, 1891. From that date
until April 18th Of the same year the assO-
citation suffered Its severest trial in its en-