The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-12
Christian Work
Among The Masses
Development Of the Young Mems
Christian Associations.
THE PROGRESS IN SCRANTON
A Brief History of the Organization OF
This Branch of Evangelical Work.
American Enterprise Compared to
That in Other Countries.

The first Young Mems Christian as
sociation was organized by George
Williams, dry goods clerk, in London,
June 6, 1874. The first in this continent
organized on the London basis was
in Montreal Nov. 25 1851. The first
in the United States was that organized
in Boston Dec. 29, 1851. Two years later
there We're twenty-six associations in
existence. These We're called together
by Rev. William Chauncey Langden
ID. D., then a layman, now prominent
Episcopal clergyman, and the first step
taken towards the formation of an
effective union. AT this time, also, a
correspondence was initiated which re-
suited in the first conference of the
associations of all lands. in Paris.
Up to the time of the seventh and
last convention, which was held in New
Orleans. in April 1860, the number of
the associations in this country had in
creased to 203. The breaking out of the
rebellion interrupted and changed the
process of the association movement.
A special convention of fifteen asso-
Citations was called at New York in the
fall of 1861 And at this gathering the
great United States Christian commits
sion was formed, which was afterward
enabled to accomplish so much for the
comfort and relief of soldiers and
prisoners during the civil war that it
received the gratitude and blessings of
the nation and so impressed the whole
civilized world as to lead to the organi-
zation of the International Order of the
Red Cross.
Remarkable Year
The year just closed has been a re-
markable one in the history of the as
sociation, because of the worldwide
effects of the celebration of the jubilee
anniversary in London in June last.
Delegates from all lands gathered by
hundreds. and were entertained by the
city corporation of London, which
voted $4,000 for that object. They We're
also received with special marks of
favor by the queen, and during the
progress of the convention George Will
Jams, the honored founder of the asso-
citation movement, was knighted by the
queen and hailed by the convention
as "Sr George Shortly after this
the French government conferred upon
James Stokes, of New York, the decOra-
tion of Cross of the Legion of Honor
in recognition of his services in promot-
ing Young Mems Christian association
work in France.
This year also brings reports of the
rapid progress of the movement not
only in America and Europe, but in
Japan, India, Australia and Brazil.
But 1t Is In the United States that
the most successful and comprehensive
work is being done, for, though there
are 5,109 associations in the world and
the United States and Canada possesses
only 1887 of them, yet these associa-
tions possess by far the greater part
of the financial and numerical strength
of the associations of the world. The
property valuation of these 1897 asso-
Citations is quoted at $17.000,0 600. and the
membership is 232, 653, with paid force
of secretaries numbering over 1900.
In addition to these city associations
there are ninety-eight railroad depart
ments, employing 100 secretaries; 455
college associations with a membership
of $4,000 students There are also six
ty-nine associations at work among the
colored men, the Indians and foreign
speaking young men. Chief among