The record-union., 1893-11-02
Rpunl zsnkt,,e 31ntaner .

young men, testified to their indebted
ness to the many good women who had
worked hard and often to help the soci-
ETY. on, and to aid it to get over the rough
places of financial difficulties.
THE SECRETARY SPEAKS.
To the toast, 1.-THE Association at
Large" General Secretary Speares re-
sponded. 1t was a very happy speech.
Forty-nine years ago the association, he
said, was formed by one man and two or
three companions Of his in daily work in
London. They met in his room and
united in the new work. To-day in
America alone there are 400 associations,
with a membership of over 250,OO0 and
property worth Sl5, 100000.
Some of the finest buildings in the
nation have been erected as association
homes. One is going up in Chicago now,
costing over Sl,600,000 One is building
in San Francisco that will be an elegant
affair, and one will be built in Sacra-
mento yet. When he came here they
showed him the picture of the building
the society here proposed 10 have. That
had not been built and he was glad OF 1t.
Sacramento has now such a start in pro-
gressive things that any building, such
as originally proposed, would not do at
all. There must be one erected more in
keeping with the city and the needs of
the association.
He spoke of the Y. NJ G. A. as being
the most unique organization in the
world, because it is so many-sided, so
modest III its work and 50 all-embracIng.
He had word to say against all things
looking to union of church and State,
anu against all attempts TO put church
into political activity, and said the \. NJ.
G. A. naturally was an influence against
union of church and State.
Never before had the association at
tracted so much attention as now. Busl-
ness men are realizing how good thing
it is for their young men. Sweden sent
a man to look into the work, and his re-
port was such that the Government vol
UNFAIRLY became large contributor to 1t.
In Germany the Government uses all en-
deaVOr to have the soldiers avail of the
privileges of the Y. NJ. C.. A. rooms and
benefits, so convinced is the ruling power
of the value of such influences upon the
soldiers life. He styled the work of the
society to be, in word, "manliness,"
bringing men up to the perpendicular so
they can face men and fear to stand up
before God.
AND, AS USUAL, THE PRESS.
"Our Ally, the Press" was responded
to by a representative of the RECORD
UNION, who called attention to the fact
that the press is The incarnation of the
spirit of liberation and the doctrine of
free speech, and hence of civil and relig
ious liberty. He called attention, also, 10
the fact that the press of America had
always been the friend OF the Y. NJ. G.
A., and that the association, no matter
what any others might say of the press,
had no warrant whatever for uttering
against it single word, as it had been.
through thick and thin, its ally, as well
as its critic.
CLOSING.
The final toast was 1.-The State Conven-
ton" which was responded to by Harry
HilIard, Collegiate State Secretary. After
some humorous and congratulatOry re-
marks he called attention to the approach
ing association Stale Convention at Stock
ton and urged Sacramento to send down
a very large delegation, as there was
need now for counsel and work. lie
wanted the best brains of the Sacramento
association present to aid in choosing
head, a State Secretary. Also, he added,
"send some of your young men to take
part of the athletic priZes-not ALL"
After few remarks by Mr.. Dunn and
Mr.. Speares on the occasion, the first
rally and supper came to an end.