The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-19
PhilanthrOpy-.-With Theological
Basis and Bias.

Mr. Editor:-My attention h as been called
to an article in your last is 'ue entitled
Spirit and Purpose of the Young Mems
Christian Asso ,iation, AN article which
moves me TO ask little space IN your
columns.
The letters "Y. M. G. A" stand for great
and valuable services rendered in recent
years to young men in this and other lands.
I rejoice in much of the work that the Or
ganization has DONE especially in the i'm
portant share it has had in uniting in good
works churches that were once as widely
separated as are at present the Baptist and
the Unitarian churches. The article itself
also, is to be commended, in so far as it de-
clares explicitly the position of the organ
ization No doubt 1t seems to so ne, that
if sincerity had had its perfect work, these
facts would have been set forth earlier in
the solicitation for subscriptions, which
understand has not been confined within
the circle of the Christians " of the article.
But perhaps, at this stage of the worlds
progress, it is too much to expect such full
measure OF candor, when money is to be
raised. And now-at last-all may under
stand. The Association has philanthropic
aims; it will endeavor to establish much
to-be-desired gymnasium here, and will
open pleasant rooms for the safe resort of
our young men. All young men over six.
teen, and OF good moral character, who will
pay the required fees. may enjoy these adj
vantages. But full membership in the
Association, with power to vote and hold
office, cannot be bought with money. For
this, good standing in a Christian church
must be added to the membersh nip fee. And
Christian church is defined by the Young
Mems Christian Association, according to
the article before me, as church main
tanning the Holy Scriptures to be the ally
infalible rule of faith and practice, and the
Lord Jesus Christ to be the divine and only
Savior of men"
This is not so full and explicit as he def
milton of an evangelical " church pre-
sented with the standard constitution of the
Y. NJ. G. A, but it is quite plain. 1t rules
out by stroke of thu pen the whole Roman
Catholic Church, far greater in numbers
than all Protestant churches combined;
and it excludes some supposed heretca
Protes tant churches found in many of the
towns and cities where the associations
have been est blished. These are barred out
-(and by a strict interpre alton OF this def
nj ion IN any others would be, g. g., the Es-
tabished Chur h of England, the Protest.
ant Episcopal Church of this country, aud
large number of our Cong regational churches
also) these are barred out, we are told, in
order to secure the associations against the
possible perversion OF their funds " to the
dissemination OF infdelity, materialsm, ag-
Mysticism, socia ism, communism, anarch.
ism, or any other ism which in the seething
ferment of opinions may for a IN )ment, ris-
ing to the surface, proclaim itself as the
prophet of progress"
"And why should an outsider compl .n,"
do you ask? l am not complaining Mr.
Editor. l acknowledge the right of others
to unite together for lawful purposes and
to protect themselves from the interference
of those whose company they do not desire
by any reasonable restrictions. Organizi-
lions may be limited to black-haired men,
or to men who weigh $50 pounds each, for
aug1t | care. l am not complaining. The
article gives me certain qualification,
rather. For when a comprehensive word
like ChriStian is used descriptvely in the
title of an organization which appeals to
the general public for support, IL is very
important that people should be distinctly
told in what sense II is used. | am CRATE
full, therefore, as for a matter OF public in
formation, for the definition given US at
this late hour, though l cannot endorse II.
And / should have been more grateful still,
If, to prevent misapprehension, candid
statement Of the Y, NJ, @. A. idea OF the es-
sential characteristics OF Christian church
had been published at the beginning OF this
protr acted effort to impose new religious
organization upon hesitating and reluctant