Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-11

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dition to his house, AIS LIST street southwest.
The first floor will be used for store purposes,
the other floor for sleeping apartments.
THE Y. M. G. A. BUILDING.
Something About the Big Organization and
| It's Need for a Big House.
The need Of a new building for the Young
Mems Christian Association of this city is mani
| fest in the work that is being done in the old
one which has been its home for the past twelve
years.
At that time it was thought equal to the needs
of the organization, bu. in the last three years
IL has been cramped in every department Of its
work. The building was never suited to the
varied character of the work of the association.
1t might do for ordinary club house with
membership one-fourth Of the number enrolled
on their books, but no one would be so wide the
mark as to try to pack 1900 young men full of
life and energy into such small compass.
1t does not seem reasonable to suppose that
men OF such business enterprise rs those con-
nected with the association would allow mat
tiers to stand as they have been doing these
years that they will not allow it much longer
Il an assured fact.
yet 1t is one OF the foremost athletic organiza-
tons Of tho CITY,
In base ball last year the team was the best
in the city. and wherever they went they up
held the honor Of the national capital, win
ming ball in every instance except one game at
Baltimore. The prcwess of the foot ball team
has been so recently demonstrated that all may
remember. 1t is fact that a pluckier eleven
would be hard to find. In track and field
events the red triangle of the association was
always conspicuous. the record showing twenty
eight first prizes, twenty-five second and four
third or a total of 2l0 points,
| THE GYMNASIUM
In their gymnasium there are to be found
more men than in any other gym in the city,
more men exercising for the benefit they may
derive from il in better bodies. more OF that
than specially work, while in the latter they are
not whit behind. Yet it is not an athletic
club in any sense of the word and if it all
| the money they spend would not seem very
much Tor what they do in athletics.
1t is not an educational institution either. but
| IT does an educational work OF which any even
| ing business school might be proud.
There are eight educational classes running
/ each week with 2S3 students enrolled and an
aggregate average of 23l. The practical studies
| predominant, arithmetic. bookkeeping, English,
| stenography, typewriting, draughting algebra
and geometry. Business methods are pursued
| to hold the student. and young men see at
once that the association means that they shall
have the very best chance to get an education
l III tiio ousiIcSo VI hle III OF Janu-
AIRY sixty-four sessions in the eight studies and
| a total attendance of 1854.
The association is absolute in its statistics
and wherever figures are given they can be re-
| he'd upon. 1t would seem sufficient TO say
about but that does not enter into their
| bookkeeping. Then in its educational work
they have u very large Chautauqua literary and
| scientific circle, the largest in the city.
THE EDUCATIONAL FEATURES.
Yet it is not an educational institution by any
| means, and still the estimated value Of the
| school to the young men who would otherwise
| be unable to secure an education at a very
| moderate price is over so per cent of the cost of
| the current expenses OF the association. 1t is
| not social club. but it would be hard TO find
| greater sociability in any other building any
| where. The receptions and socials given By it
| are not only of high order, but most attract
| i've. The New Iea- reception. with nearly !. 400
young men present, was an indication of the
| social feature.
Its literary society is not less social. for it
promotes the height of coed fellowship; also
| the regular Friday lectures, informal talks,
| It's gymnastic exhibition and the very atmos-
| phere of the building is sociability intensified
and 1t is the only place where young man does
| not need card Of introduction to be made to
feel ut home if he is a stranger.
| II is not a church, nor, one of the officers
| said to STAR reporter. does il seek to take the
Il
held within its walls and in this there is not less
intensity than in other departments. In the
| year just past 6lS religious services were held
| in their building, with an aggregate attendance
of q, $40. No meetings are held at hours to
conflict with church services and all are made
| to supplement the work of the churches No
| one has hi pet theories hurt and it is not
| unusual to have every denomination repre-
| sented in meeting. The gospel Is the theme
| always in the larger meetings and seventy five
| men professed conversion last year. Bible
| classes and Bible training casses are special
\ features of the religious services. While the
religious department is conducted on high
pressure eyangelistic methods attendance is
made voluntary and it is possible for young
man to take advantage of all the other privileges
| without being troubled in the least about the
| subject of religion, and it is also possible for
| any young man to get an opportunity to talk
about the subject ad hbitum whenever he may
| select.
Yet, said the officer Of the association. it is
| not church-only plain, modest, unassum-
| ing Young Mems Christian Association doing a
wonderful work among the young men of this
! city; doing work. he said. that very few know
anything about. for if many did it would be but
a comparatively short time before the new
| building would ornament one of our best streets
and its equipment quadruple its possibilities
4 for