The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-20
WIPING OUT THE DEBT.
TEN THOUSAND and FIVE HUN.
DEED DOLLARS ExIsBD
ltthe Meeting In tho Interest of the Young
Mems chrisfisn Association--Psopie
OF all Creeds Represented.

r.1nd 90 consider the question how the
ocot on the building OF the Dung Mems
Christian Association might be raised.
tmong those present were ministers Of
ADJ the different religious faiths. Quite
IL number OF speeches were made. and
a.i we're unanimous IN one direction, that
tie association had accomplished a great
Zeal OF good and that 81 was the duty
OF Richmond ciuztns not 10 let the in
sltIlOu 30 down. Among the ministers
were keV. James Y. fair. OF ,he Ffcsby-
terrain church; Ecvs. ". Y. Tudor and
Vs. j. loLug. of The Methodist church.
RcVs ". j.. Hatcher. George Cooper.
and BaEhy. OF the Baptist church; Kevs.
J.. r.. M.-son George r. Goodwin. John
k Mason and Aboitt, OF the Episcopal
church. Rev. Jahcz Hail. OF tne Christian
church. and Rev. Edward ~ Calisch, Of
Temple Beth Ahaba.
The meeting was called 10 order by
Nr :. W. IravcTs. president OF the
Young Mems Christian Association, upon
whose suggestion Mayor j. Taylor Ely
ron was elected chairman Of the meeting
Upon motion OF Mir. r.. j. Munford. The
representatives OF the press were made
secretaries Of the gathering.
Mayor tliysOn stated that II gave him
great pleasure TO take the chair FOR ne
knew of no other work that recommended
itself so heartily 10 those VINO had the
welfare OF Richmond. and especially OF
the young men. at heart
In order that the gathering might be
thoroughly informed az to the needs and
wants OF the institution, he requested
Air. Travers TO make a brief statement
ITS Coalition.
Mr. Travcrs thought that no specific
statement vas needed. since the call Tor
the meeting had announced the purpose IN
detail. which also had been stated from
the pulpits and in the public press. The
situation. however, was briefly this;
The association must have the sum Of
SlSep0 in order 10 keep ITS doors open.
The business men Of the city had been
called together 20 decide whether the
work and the $4,000 already invested in
the same should be abandoned. or $1,000
more should be raised TO continue the
work. lie hoped. however. that the lat
fcr course would be pursued, especially
since Richmond was the nfth city IN the
United States whore the association was
originally established.
ID might be said that the existing con-
diton OF affairs had been brought on
ly extravaganza on the part OF its man
arers. This was not so. The sum OF
$4,000 had been raised nine years ago
90 put up a $4,000 buildir &, and there
the matter had rested The original
debt Of 5000 had been reduced TO
$4,000. but the payment OF interest on
that amount, besides the running eN-
renses had caused the financial condl-
ZION ~ the institution To fall behind,
Notwithstanding the most economical
management on the part of the directors
A COMPARISON.
From statistical reports bearing upon
christian Association work for the year
f.u De had learned b. comparison Of
tHe a-s0ciatOns of seven southern cities.
E.hmond raised and spent about $50
per member.
Nashville raised and spent about S0S
Ter member.
Atlanta raised and spent about s1O25
Ashevle raised and spent about S1O.5O
per member
Charleston raised and spent about S1O75
Norfolk raised and spent about $40
per member
Savannah raised and spent about $3.50
per member
The whole secret Of the trouble was
that the people Of this city had not raised
the balance of the money needed and
that iu other cities revenue was ue-
rived from association buildings by store
rent etc.
lf The building in this city had been
provided with stores on the ground moor
tae work Of the association would not
h1rr been nearly as successful In MS
opinion. an association building should
he made as attractive as possible TO bat
DE- successfully against the attractions
az vice IT should contain a gymnasium
bowling alley, a library and reading
ro0m with a full supply OF newspapers
aud good periodicals: IL should, in fast
Doe moral club room, devoid OF any
perniciOus influences. Richmond had
started well, and the building had been
erected ia order TO do good. without
amy stores underneath The Richmond
association was looked upon as one OF
The best ones in the country; IL had had
good secretaries and good directors. The
tier had gone from store to store ana
from Office 20 Office, endeavoring 10 raise
Tie necessary money but now they had
come 10 the point that they We're almost
compelled 20 close the doors OF the in
frfutiOn. but they had felt that they
had no right TO do this before the mat
FER had been laid before the business
community OF this city.
As A business ENTERPRIsE.
Judge George J.. Christian. the pres-
dent OF the Chamber OF Commerce. said
that ne had been requested to say q few
words and ne was very glad TO see such
"a representative gathering. He had been
asked. by short speech 10 show his
appreciation of the movement, and there |
was no request 10 which he would have
responded more readily. lie looked AZ
the work OF the association from the
standpoint Of q lawyer and judge who
had presided over criminal court lie |
knew OF no other enterprise that demand |
ed more earnest aid and work on the
part OF the citizens. The churches had |
their different organizations through
which they carried on their work. and |
the Young Mems Christian Association
had taken up all the different branches
~ the church work and become the co.
worker OF the churches IL gave a home
90 young men who came here as
strangers. and who otherwise might be
invited by the devil TO give him their |
attention. No other investment was Of |
greater advantage 10 a business com |
munity, for the association aimed to |
bring forth good. moral young men. !
From the higher standpoint as 10 the re- |
lIeious work II appeared In a stu nobler ]
light
Air. Joseph Bryan made very happy |
address in reference 10 the association |
WORK and its importance.
SIT. u. III. Powers briefly spoke in favor
% the association, ana endorsed its work.
DR.. cAnscH.
Rev Edward y. Calisch. Of the syna-
gcgue Beth Ahaba, was the next speaker.
and his words made a deep impression
Upon those present. He stated thai whilst
DE- was not supposed TO be in sympathy
With those who stood behind ibis move
mert he was not so Blind as not 10
recognize the good from whatever source
ST. might come He thought the associa-
ton was one Of the most important fac
tors in making mankind better: II was
better than statute books and the police
force f0r the law did no; make men /
gooi-Oniy moral training. The assOcia-
ron was the church, the school and the |
home or Young men. lie heartily endorsed
The Institution. and would give IL his |
moral and substantial support.
After an urgent appeal by Kev. W. V
Tudor 20 becin at once with the work OF
raising the debit State Senator William |
Ioyeustoin briefly addressed the meeting
lIe said thar while he was not OF Chris
tan faith. ne belonged 10 a faith that
believed in everything good. no matter
where II came from. lie heartily endorsed
tne movement and promised 10 do all he
could 20 sec that the good work was |