The morning call., 1894-09-11

| this coast. The building is of stone. and
| its entrance is from Mason street, n wide,
polished stone staircase leading up to th9
second floor, on which the general offices
| of the society are situated.
From 10 O'Clock yesterday morning unit il
| noon the building was thrown open to the
inspection of visitors. Not a few availed
themselves OF this privilege, although il
was during the afternoon that tae corri-
dors and staircaSes were thronged, a
formal reception TO guests being held in
the parlors from until 3 o'clock. AT 8
o'clock the exercises commenced.
The auditorium. or thealer, was used
for this purpose. 1t is a large, commo-
diOus apartment, capable of seating large
number OF people. 1t is built on the lines
of an ordinary theater. with comfortable
stage and gallery running all round.
The theater is amply lighted both by day
and night, and is intended to be used for
lectures, entertainments, exercises and
occasionally religious Observances,
Prominent on the platform were noticed
j. j. Valentine. first vice-president and
presiding officer of the day; Rolla v.
Watt, second vice. president: d. Elwood
Collins, chairman of the State committee ;
Secretary II. j. Mccoy; Revs. Fred b.
Pullen, w. c. Pond and Z. R. Ollie
Isaac :. Truman; John f. Merrill. treas
urer; John w. Roberts, recording secre-
tary; Monroe Greenwood: j. j. Pfister,
president of the German branch; Ira p.
Rankin, Samuel Foster, w. L. Romaine,
and l.. Wilbur, general secretary of the
association In Chicago. Unfortunately
George w. Gibbs, chairman of the build
ing committee. was absent through sick
ness. and his address was read by Rolla
V. Wat:.
The exercises opened with an original
hymn. by DR.. HAYES G. French, to the tune
of America" 1t is a conservation hymn,
and was taken from Ps.cxxvi: Except
the Lord build the house, they labor In vain
that build it," Following the hymn was
scripture reading by Rev. F. B. Pullan,
pastor of Third Congregational Church,
and prayer by Rev. Dr. Pond, pastor of
Bethany Congregational Church.
The opening address was delivered by
j. j. Valentine. presiding officer OF the
day. Mr.. Valentine called attention to
the great en- terprlse that had been under
taken by the association in thus erecting
building in far Western city that could
not be surpassed In any of the great cities
of the Eastern States. The enterprise was
great one. and one well deserving of sue
cess. In declaring the building open to
the use of members of the association Mr.
Valentine had reason to congratulate all
his hearers upon what had been done, and
with every hope for the future the Young
Mems Christian Association of San Fran
cisco might well enter upon what would
be marked as fresh stage Of its existence,
at the conclusion of his address Mr..
Valentine called upon General Secretary
II. j. Mccoy 20 present his financial state
ment regarding the affairs of the building.
Mr.. Mccoy had great pleasure before
reading his report in laying before the
ssociation the following letter from
Bishop Nichols:
Ny Dear M. Mccoy: Let me through you
thank the Young Mems Christian Association
for the invitation to the reception in ihe new
building ana express my regret that an an
pOlntment in Fresno must deprive Mrs Nichols
and myself OF the pleasure of being present.
Allow me 10 add my hearty CONCENTRATIONS
upon the achievement that the new building ia
both for the Young Mems Christi N Associa-
tiOn and the city. 1t is Il turning point far.
reaching in the hopes and possibilities il opens
up for young men, and many will follow Won
with their interest and prayers who cannot be
Win you In lhe exercises. Yours very SIN.
cerely, WILLIAM +. NICHOLS,
Mr.. McCOy's report showed that friends
OF the society had been far from back
ward in coming 20 the assistance of the
enterprise. The following extract gives
some idea of the expenditure necessary to
complete the building:
The lot upon which this building stands was
purchased in April, 1889, by Messrs Balfour.
Guthrie & Co., George w. Gibbs and Captain
Charles GoodaIl. They paid for The original
lot, which embraced the so feet on Ellis
street, S145.00o. There was a mortgage of
$4,000 on the properly. These gentlemen ad-
vanced the balance 1885,, ,000) to purchase the
lof, and we had the use of their nancy 1Se5 :
000) for four years without interest
There were some old buildings on tha land.
the income from which was NOT sufficient now
ever. TO meet the interest on mOrtqaee tayes
etc., 50 that during these four years the lor rnn
behind little over $4,000. The original lot
was 137 :6 feet on Ellis street by 1876 on Ma
son. This being larger than the associatIon
needed for its purposes The 80 feet east on Ellis
street was disposed of to Maurice Casey in
April, 1898, for $4,000. This paid the mort
w. Gibbs and Captain Charles I;oodali than
sold Ihe remaining lot, 1916 feet on Ellis street
by 137 :S on Mason. to the trustees OF the
Young mems Christian Association OF San
fusing TO receive any interest on the money
they had advanced; aDd, In addition to this.