The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-06-16
THE INTERNATIONAL CONvEN-
TONS.

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVEN-
TONS.
From Y NJ. C. A. Record.
The General Secretary had the
pleasure Of attending, the Twenty
third Annual Conference of General
Secretaries held at Louisville, Ky,
May 50, and the Thirtieth Biennial
Convention of the Associations of
North America. held at indianapolis,
Ind, May 1914 Both were very helpful
gatherings, and proved an inspiration
to every delegate in attendance.
The Secretary's Conference was first
organized in 1871. Mr. |. q. jenkins,
now Railroad Secretary at Detroit, was
one of the Immortal eleven who
signed the constitution ut the first meet
ing. The number of men now giving
their entire time to Association work is
about twelve hundred, in itself a COM
mentary upon the growth and develop
ment of the Association idea.
The International Convention was
favored with having as speakers men
competent in every way to discuss the
subjects assigned them. Three features
of the Convention deserving special
mention are:
l. Bible study. Prof. w. w. White,
of Xenia, O., gave very strong adj
dress on this subject in which he said
there were various kinds of Bible study
Practical Bible study, the collection
and arrangement of texts suited to every
class of persons and bearing on every
possible difficulty which may present
itself to the Christian worker: Devo-
tional Bible study, contemplating and
reading and meditating upon the word
of God with the purpose of obtaining
spiritual nourishmcnt and growth in
grace; intellectual Bible study, or Il
careful application of the mind TO the
mastery of the form and context of the
Word.
.. Educational work The cstab-
lishmcnt of evening classes for in
struction of young men in practical
lines Of study has of recent years been
occupying the attention Of Association
men, until to-day BIG Associations car
ry on educational work, and 20, 526
young men are enrolled as students
The importance of this work is readily
seen when it is known that "but little
over five per cent. Of the youth of our
nation have that rounded prcpara-
ton needed TO meet the requirements
Of the best life. Ninety-live per cent
through necessity, leave school before
completing their education, and enter
the trades, factories and Offices. The
natural result of this condition is the
failure of youths to find their bent. and
the consequent loss of power in the
great forces of our nation. The large
proportion are thrown into work for
which they have little or no ability; life
is spent in a business which is distaStc-
ful. These conditions require remedy
that can be found only i'm the leisure
hours of the evening" The Associa-
tons are offering young men these
opportunities for self Improvement.
This subject was introduced by Mr.. f..
l.. Shucy, OF Dayton, o., who has been
deeply Interested in this phase of work
for years.
3. Extension work was emphasized
i'm paper by Scldcn p. Spencer, of ST.
Louis. Mo. This work has Il two-fold
object. First, to inform members con-
corning the aim and needs of the Asso-
citation work. If you think there is no
necessity for fundamental instruction, y
said Mr. Spencer, occupy fifteen min
utcS of your next members meeting
with quiz on such simple questions as
these: What is the need and aim of
the International Committee? What is
the local members duty to the State
Committee? Where, in foreign fields,
is the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton now at work. What is the real
aim and purpose of the Young Mems
Christian Association? You will find
even among your most active and con-
secrated men total lack of other than
general knowledge of the work d"
Second. The members of the Associa-
ton are educated along the lines of
stewardship of time and money. The
majority of Christians give nothing for
the spread of the gospel. This is all
wrong, and should be chan red until all
should give something, though but q
few cents, Systematically, each week.
The College and Railroad work re-
ceivcd their share of attention in the
convention. Work in these depart
ments show marked increase. There
are now AGO Associations i'm colleges,
with 30, 600 students as members-morc
than any other college society or league.
There are now nincty-eight Railroad
departments with 20,j00 members. Mr..
G.. NJ. Hobbs, purchasing agent for the
ID. IL Il. G. Il. r., gave Il strong address
in behalf of this phase of work. 1.-TWO
things" said he, ''emphasize the import
ancc of work in behalf of railroad men:
First. The eXactions of railroad SER
vice No other business, trade or pro-
fession makes such demands upon the
physical and mental endurance of men
rs does this. Ii demands the highest