Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-17
IDEAS FOR \. M. C. A. WORK
Billiard and Smoking Rooms Not Approved
by Mr.. Pugh.
A Paper Read Before the Association
of General Secretaries in Con-
vcntion ut Hartford.


HARTFORD, Conn.,, May 16, 1895
The Association of General Secretaries
of the Young Mems Christian Associations
of North America has been holding it's
tW enty-fifth annual conference in this city
since last Monday. The sessions, which
have proved of the utmost value and in
terest, come to a close this evening. Rev.
Dwight l.. Moody has invited the secre-
taries to spend tomorrow with him at
Mortified.
The meetings have been held in the hand
some Young Mems Christian Association
building of this city. Last evening was
given up by the secretaries to a timely
discussion of important themes, and a
number of capital suggestions were made
as to he better prosecution of the work
A paper on Limitations and Opportuni-
ties of the Association in Social and Enter
tainment Work." by James E. Pugh, gen.
eIal secretary Of Washington, DC, said
the social work being in itself an equally
important feature requires wisdom In It's
conduct the same any other department.
By social work is understood the bringing
of young men in touch with each other Tor
mutual good in multitude of ways, and
begins as the young man enters the build
ing.
Value of n Welcome.
The effect of the first greeting and the
Gospel III a handshake with contact of
young men in the religious meetings, the
gymnasium and the educational classes,
forming the routine work Of the assocla-
ton, were duly emphasized. The members
monthly meeting, committee teas, banquets
to the larger number of men interested In
the special work of the gymnasium and
educational departments devices by which
the names OF young men may be known
without the necessity of asking questions,
were noticed as leading to better acquaint-
ance and social good fellowship.
nd 90 a a
but emphasis was laid upon the character
of employees and the securing of those
whose influence wherever brought in con-
tact with young men must always be at
least not actively injurious.
Game rooms were advocated, with close
supervision, and the things which enter
tain not to be allowed to interfere with
those which build up and prepare for the
activities of life
Preparatory to a dissertation on some of
the so-called questionable methods Of anus
ing young men, Mr.. Pugh said: In these
days of liberality there is a trend away
from the severe lines of our fathers Men
are looking at objects from different stand
points, and tits possible for men to believe
that they know more than those who bore
the brunt of life's battle in preceding gen.
erations. There is need of being sure that
the point of vision is clearer and more
comprehensive, and there is bare posi-
bility that the conservatism of the past has
not outlived its usefulness Men differ in
their ideas of many things-the Sunday
cards and other things which make up the
social economics having a bearing upon
young men,"
The old Book settles very clearly the Sab
bath and liquor question, and there seems
to be no reason for discussing them, and
the associations are sure to be found on
the Bible side of these two questions.
Smoking and Billiards.
The tobacco habit and the smoking room
with the billiard table are questions not
so clearly defined in all minds. The paper
was not in favor of the smoking room, and
said that men who indulge in the habit as
a class are quite as much in favor of the
association building being kept free from it
as those who do not use the weed. The
paper also deprecated setting apart room
for workingmen for such purposes, and said
that as class the workingmen would not
favor it, looking upon such action as re-
Election upon them The smoking room in
the association is likely to increase the
number of smokers, and no one will admit
that young men should find in the associa-
ton that which may prove an injury to
them. The paper made a strong plea for
keeping the standards high. The billiard
room was characterized an expensive
method of reaching young men, saying that
the necessary amount of money could be
used to greater advantage in other methods
and bring better results. Too often it is
the feeder of the saloon. The influence of
the surroundings of the game was, Mr..
Pugh thought, decidedly dangerous. The pa
per placed the billiard table in the home of
the rich man, who could afford the luxury,
and thought it was time enough for young
men to indulge in it when they could afford
to do it in the right way. These questionable
additions We're never called for by men who
are actively engaged in Christian work nor
deemed by them aids in winning young
men to the standard of the church.
There should be no place in an associa-
ton building where it would be out of place
to talk to a young man about his souls
,,,fn -1,arn r6a,, r1y vN1A
ure had ceased, it would be outraging pro-
prieties to invoke the Divine blessing.
The Star course was next considered, and
was discountenanced as money making
scheme, pronounced a failure, while con-
sidered valuable an entertainer. Refer
ence was made to literary societies, weekly
lectures and story telling clubs, features
that may be carried on without any con-
to attract large numbers of young men.
Entertainments with paid admissions were
thought to be unwise. The association
should be a place where young men could
congregate without having to spend money.
Peddling tickets was tabooed for the rea-
son that men preferred to make a contribu-
ton rather than have tickets for which
they had no use continually placed before
them. TCo much entertainment, Mr.. Pugh
thought, was likely to divert from the more
serious work of the association, and if all
work and no play had a disastrous effect
upon Jack, all play and no work was equal
ly dangerous. There should be as little
conflict as possible between the pleasure
and profit Of the association. The social
and entertainment feature should be used
OILY as far as they make 1t possible to
bring young men under better influences
and of such character as to attract them
from the vicious and debasing that flaunt
themselves before young men on every side.
Law Students Banquet.
A congenial company assembled at the
Ebbitt last evening to do justice to the
annual banquet spread by the law class Of
'e6, Columbian University. President F. D.
HYDE was toaStmaster and pleassntIy IN