Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-06-02
JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY.

tuan usual.
JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY.
Close of the First Ralf Century of the
history OF the Y. NJ. @. y.
The Fiftisth Jubilee Anniversary Of
organization OF the Young Mems Chris
tian Association, now being held In
London, the home of the founder, is an
occasion which may we'll claim the at
tention of young men the world over.
There are gathered there Young men
from all the nations Of ChristendOm and
from the Orient to celebrate together
the work begun fifty years ago. June
6, 1874, George Williams, a young dry
goods clerk, got together few compan-
ions 10 his little bed room and organized
the first Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation. As has been said Of the found
ers Of this republic, he was great in the
Inconsistencies of what he was doing.
That was the beginning Of what is now
the most widespread institution for
Young men in the world. There are
5.1O9 associations scattered over the
world, of which North America has
1899.
In all the great cities Of Christendom
are to be found buildings dedicated TO
the welfare, elevation and salvation OF
Young men. There are In this country
alone POI buildings, valued at more
than SIS. 900, 900. The chief character
istic of the Association has always been
its spiritual work, but it aims to pro-
mote the welfare Of young men physic-
ally, socially, economically, intellecu-
ally, morally and spiritually by the use
Of all practicable and consistent meth
DDS. Preventive agencies are en-
phasized. The Association was orig
inally started for the mercantile
class IN large cities, but the work has
wdened with the years and its UNIQUE
adaptation to all classes Of young men
has been demon strated. Its methods
and benefits have been successfully ex-
tended to railroad employees, u on-Eng-
fish speaking and colored young men,
Young men Of the industrial classes and
to students in colleges and higher
schools. Railroad branch associations
are organized at over one hundred rail-
road divisional points. The corpora
tiohs appropriate annually over SIPS, 900
toward the expenses Of this agency be-
cause of its practical value in increas-
ing the efficiency OF their employees.
The extension Of the association work
to students in the American colleges
and universities has been one OF the
most significant features OF its pro-
gress. There are associations in $50
Institutions of learning with member
ship making the largest undergraduate
student fraternity in the world. A
mighty work has been wrought by this
association, but it is only the beginning
Of what it will yet accomplish. George
Williams, the founder of the associa
ton, is still in active business life at
the head Of the great dry goods
establishment he entered at an early
age as an humble clerk. All these fifty
years Mr.. Williams has remained in
active touch with the London Assocla-
ton and has been a generous contributor
to the work in all its departments The
venerable Sir George Williams will be
central figure at the great jubilee in
London which began yesterday and
will continue until next Thursday.
TheWbeeling Association will observe
the Jubilee. A Thanksgiving service
for young men will be held at the build
ing this evening. c, s. Morrison will
make a short address on Reasons to be
thankful for the Young Mems Christian
Association. There will be other in
teresting exercises. The service will
be followed by a social at which there
will be music, refreshments and good
fellowship. All young men are invited
to this the anniversary service, at four
o'clock Sunday afternoon, in the Asso-
citation hall, il will be for both men and
ladies. The singing will be a feature
st this meeting. President J. n. Vance
will preside, and three short addresses
will be made as follows: The past, THE
organization aud development Of the
associations, their growth In num-
bers, secretaries, buildings and work, ;"
by j. c. Lynch; the present. What the
Associations are doing in our own COM
munity, in America, among college stu
dents, railroad men aud foreign mission
airy lands" by Guy r. c. Allen, Esq;
the future, The possibilities of Asso-
citation work in our own community and
in the world, " by Alfred PAUL. In
number of the churches on Sunday the
ministers will preach jubilee sermons.
The social event in connection with the
anniversary will occur on Tuesday even
ing. This is In charge Of the Ladies'
Auxiliary OF the Association, and what
these ladies have done heretofore has
been well done. There will be an ad-
mission OF ten cents charged that night
and refreshments will be sold. On
Thursday a conference OF the Associa-
ton members will be held and a gym
naStic entertainment will on Friday
evening conclude the social gatherings.