St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-03

who fifty years ago founded the association,
and is at this time president of the English
National Council. Although nearly an octo-
genarian, Mr. Williams is as active and
earnest as he was half century ago, and
looks as if he had before him many more
years of useful work.
One cannot be long in Mr.. Williams COM
pany without being impressed by the force
and energy of his character, as well as by
his religious sentiments He will be an.
essential figure of this great gathering, and
it need not be said that he will receive with
modesty and humility the honors that will
be showered upon him. Speaking about the
advanced stage Of religious thought Mr.
Williams said to the writer:
"We are prepared to adapt our methods to
the constantly changing requirements of the
times; but we believe that spiritual results
can only be accomplished by spiritual
means. The main object of the Young Mems
Christian Association is to lead young men to
the Savior. Hundreds of young men who
have embraced religion through the Young
Mems Christian Association have gone into
the mission field. During the past year from
the English associations alone, ninety-five
young men have, gone out to do mission
work." Referring TO the Young Mems Chris
tian associations in America, Mr.. Williams
said
"We have on this side of the ocean nothing
like the building recently opened in Chicago,
which cost million dollars. has thirteen
stories, four lifts, a swimming bath, gym
nasIum, reading rooms, and an extensive
library. We have few fine buildings in this
country, but here we touch the question of
money; this IS much harder to raise in Eng
land than in America. In this country too,
there are over one thousand different socie-
ties, all appealing for funds, whereas in
America the number of these societies is
comparatively SMALL
When asked if he favored the amalgama-
ton of the Young Womens Christian Asso-
citation with the Young Mems Christian
Association, Mr.. Williams said:
81 am not in favor of the proposal I do
not think it would work satisfactorily. lam
willing to admit that many strong reasons
might be urged in favor of the amalgamation,
but like all others, there are two sides to the
question, and many equally strong reasons
might be adduced in opposition to the pro-
posal."
Like many other great organizations the
Young Mems Christian Association had a
very humble beginning. The title-page of
the first report, dated 1914, bears the follow
ing words: Z
''The First Report of the Young Mems Chris
tan Association for the Improvement of the
Spiritual Condition of Young Men en-
gagged in the Drapery and other Trades, by
the Introduction of Religious Services into
Houses OF Business. Instituted IN London,
June, 1874" After that year, the words
"drapery and other trades were dropped. :.
The membership fee was sixpence quarterly.
The subscription was placed thus low in
order that the SOCIETY might not appear to
have money-getting aim. On November
s, 1874. the total membership was only
seventy. After one year of persistent effort,
this was increased to one hundred and sixty,
At the end of the fourth year, the total mem
bership, including provincial branches, was
barely one thousand. It is interesting to
know that the first association was formed
by eight young men. The annual report for
the second year showed that the expenses
had been f372. One of the earliest friends
and heaviest contributors to the movement
in its early years was Mr.. George Hitchcock,
In whose drapery establishment the first
association was formed.
The first man to leave a legacy to the Young
Mems Christian Association was Mr.. Richard
Grandcock. In 1858 he left the association
9400.
Among the men who helped to speed
the association on its helpful way and whose
names have since become widely honored.
are: Mr.. George Williams, the founder; the
Rev. j. G. Ryle, afterward Lord Bishop of
Liverpool; the Rev. Robert s. Candish, DID,,
1.-The Rev. William Arthur, the Rev. Newman
Hall. the Rev. Thomas Guthrie, the Rev.
Alexander Duff, D. d. the Rev. Henry Afford,
D. D., the Dean of Canterbury, and Mr.,
George Hitchcock.
Had we space, it would be interesting to
give figures as to the distribution of
the Young Mems Christian Association
throughout the world, but We have room
only for the totals obtained from the
Central International Committee, now in
session in this city. The total number of
associations in England, ireland, Wales and
Scotland is 597, with membership of 49,, 4s4;
the number of associations in the British
possessions is 1856, with membership of
IL, 1892; the number of associations in the
United States is 1892 with membership of
247, 707. The number of associations report
ing from all countries in the world is 1914.
with an aggregate membership of 467, SIS.
ROBERT FRENCH