The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-18


gress and its usefulness
II Is exceedingly unpleasant for mo O.
have TO state facts so plainly. but !
have felt It my duty to the membersb,n
ana this community, 10 iuily inform
them Of the exact condition OF the affairs
OF this Association, and let them 90.
cide what shall b. done
IL would have been much more agrsa-
able Tor me to dwell upon and point out
the good we are doing IN this commu-
nifty. as / have done In former reports
but leave tonight for others that agree
able privilege.
cannot. however. close without words
OF warmest praise for our General Secre-
tary, Mr.. Tibbetts. our Gymnasium In
structor, Professor Schatzel, and our As
sistant Secretary. Mr.. Turner and our
Librarian, Mr. Blake. Without IN the
least disparaging those who nave SO ably
| preceded them I'm office, we are satisfied
that Richmond never had men better
| quaihed, and more devoted 10 their
work than those now In charge Of the
different departments Of this Association.
And / am fully persuaded AFTER an IN
innate connection with this work. that
there wa never a better tine' or
better place for the phillnthropist to
returns, than right hoe.
Mr.. Tibbift-' Report.
General-Secretary George F. Tlbbi;,s
submitted his annual report IN the meet
ing, wherein he made the folloWihs state
ments:
When reviewing the work OF the Young
Mems Christian Association or TINS CITY
for the past year, one cannot help being
astounded with the greatness ana magn-
tude OF the field in which the Master
has placed us.
Richmond is truly a very important
point at which to place an Association
or life-saving station, and those who
have lovingly labored here before us
saw the need Of such work. and were
not slow ia laying the foundation, for
Richmond was the NTH city in America
to organize a Young Mems Christian
Association.
Hundreds have come 10 US, not only
seeking employment, but DESTROYS OF
Knowing how they could find peace Of
mind and rest OF spirit.
Through the open doors Of our build
ing have entered 2l5 young mel each week
day and Isl each Sunday Of the year.
The total attendance exceeds 6f,295 young
men, who have entered at different times;
1851 people, ladies' and gentlemen, have
at different times throughout the year
held committee meetings. temperance
meetings, etc. in the association rooms.
ana from this number can be selected
members from nearly all the different
social ard religious societies in the city.
Recent Improvements.
The bright and cheerful reaGing-room
has been rearranged. and the wholesome
literature, So generously provided by the
Association, is now kept in Terfect order.
y total attendance Of 800, average
eighty per week day shows that this de-
I ertment has been greatly appreciated,
and forms an important branch 81 our
work The library IS a source of benefit
and pleasure 10 our members: 1856 vol
umes an average Of twelve daily. have
been taken from the building. and $780,
average ten daily, have been read at the
rooms.
The Young Mems Christian Association
IS place In which the young man may
spend his evening hours without moral
or physical contamination.
over 600 young men have been referred
70 homes in different parts Of the city.
where they have been able 10 find euita-
Die quarters, and placed under good home
influences
Inc Following committees were re-or-
gained, and all deserve praise for their
faithful work: Membership. Invitation
Visitation Of the Sick.
Orchestra, Chorus. Boys Department
committee, and with the Religious Com
mittee We stand almost complete in His
strength, 10 do work in every depart
ment Of the Association.
The Star Entertainment Course con-
ilsiing Of ten entertainments. is the
result Of much hard labor and study
Nearly 600 seats are engaged for the en-
IRE course, and judging from the out
ook' every chair VIII be at a premium |
leXt season.
To Educate Young Men.
The Educational Department is n fea-
ure OF our work, which is AT the pres-
mt time the subject of much study IN |
III the Associations of America. one |
hundred and forty-three different young |
men nave been earnestly pursuing their
tudy in bookkeeping arithmetic, pen
nanship, algebra. music. free hand draw
rs, and stenography. The total enroll
nent In all the classes for the year was
40. Several letters have been kindly sent
o MS by young men who have been bene-
tied through this branch Of our work.
The religious work has been more quiet
urlns the past year than heretofore We
now, however. that tsp have attended
mr. Sunday Afternoon Meetings and If
his number. 100 requested prayers. and
. have joined the church.
Fourteen hundred and hfty-six boys be-
wcer the ages Of eight and sixteen have
tte1ded the meetings on Sundays at T..
l., and twenty-three OF these quietly and
manifested their desire to
Fad the Christian life.
1he Gymnasium.
The gymnasium department can be
Doken of only in the highest praise.
welye classes are being regularly con-
Icted each week. and only systematic
ody building IS studied. An average Of
fty-tnree use the gymnasium daily
afirg total of 1850. Thirty sue
sssfuily passed the elementary evamina-
on. The Ladies Gymnasium class is q
sw feature in the Association and we
re pleased TO report that II is rapidly
owing
What little we have done during the
lst year has been only a faint glimpse
that which might have been accom-
ished If We could have had the neces-
Try financial help. When we think that
lie Richmond Association was the nth
be organized i'm the United States. with
g long standing. the excellent work done
years that have passed we cannot
ZIP ask ourselves the question. why
not the people Of this Christian city
stain the work which is taking such
J active part. not only i'm helping the
'ung men Of the city, the state. and
e country, but our .loors are open 10
cry society. 20 every christian and sec
ar organization. We seek 10 strengthen
lysically. mentally and spiritually the
Jung men and the boys. and are sue ,
f.tf -. - |