The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-10
THE TOPICS.
Discussed at the Session of
the Y. M. c. A.
Practical Suggestions Looking Toward
the Lifting Up OF Young Men.

SPRINGFIELD May i0.-The secoEd day
Of the international Y. M. q. A. conven.
tion opened with an attendance of over
300 delegates. The first topic of discussion
was, points OF Danger in the Develop
ment of State and Provincial Work" DIR.
Warner and Il. j Gillespie held that the
danger lay in one branch being neglected
for the other, and too much secular work.
K. A. Sinclair read paper giving a
history of the growth OF the order. Presi-
dent Gates of Amherst college spoke upon
F.. opportunity, Obligation, Possibility"
Yesterday afternoons session was di-
vided into three sections-the spiritual
work, the educational work and the physi-
cal work. Papers were read at all of these
sessions, after which there was general
discussion Of the subjects.
The meeting in the interests OF tho
spiritual work was held in the State Street
Baptist church. r. S. Goodman Of New
York presided and spoke briefly on 1.-THE
Real Supremacy OF the Spiritual Work"
The spiritual work, he said, was the basis
of the Y. NJ G. A. and was the real reason
for it's existence. 1t furnishes the only
adequate motive for the association, and
it also serves as an inspiration for carry
ing the work on.
The next speaker was J. +. Robinson OF
Pittsburg and he confined himself to the
subject, How can this supremacy get
its best expressions in all departments of
the work." He said that the spiritual
should dominate in association work.
The supremacy OF the spiritual should
have great weig ght in the selection Of the
physical direction and the teachers for the
educational work.
Educational Needs.
The educational session was perhaps of
che greatest interest TO the large share OF
che delegates The hrst speaker was S. II.
Berry of Brooklyn, who confined himself
10 the library and reading rooms of associ-
ations He made very valuabls sugges-
tions as TO the GLASS and kind of books
which should compose the library, and
also spoke of the way these rooms should
be conducted.
X. A. Ames of Montreal spoke on "Li-
brary Societies and Practical Talks" He
said; "In dealing with this su ubiect let us
divide IL by considering as literary socie.
ties those gatherings in which number
take part; and as practical talks, the in.
formal lecture delivered by other than
association members Now as to the
first: Great is the work which has been
done in times part by the debating society.
Many Of Americas statesmen look back 10
the lyceum platform as the starting point I
for all subsequent success. With tho or.
dinary literary society, oration, essay, de.
bate, general discussion, decision aud
critique all find place in the program
Herein, then, the old-tme association liz.
erary society lies midway between the so
cial and educational work"
The speaker here spoke OF some Of the
faults of the societies, saying that there
was tendency toward too much diversity
In the choice OF subjects; that there was
lack Of practcability i'm the topics and
often lack of earnestness of purpose Ia
conclusion, MIR. Ames dweit briefly on the
latter part Of his subject in regard To prae-
tical talks
The third speaker at this meeting was
w. H. Coughlin Of BROOKLYN. who spoke
In favor Of art. skctching and music clubs
as features Of educational work i'm the
Y. M G. A., and hc was followed by l..
w. Messer of Chicago, who spoke on "The
Educational Director His Qualifications
and Duties"
Athletics Favored.
great deal of interest conferred in the
physical work department. Although the
question OF forming Y. NJ G. A athletic
league has been agitatcd among the as
sOciation leaders, IL has never been brought
into the international convention before
The matter was presented by !. r. South
erland of Joliet Ills He advised the
formation OF a league 10 b. governed by
the international committee, which should
include as active members all tho V NJ
G. As In North America and as associate
members any athletic organization con
nected with any philanthropic. cduca-
tional or religious institution Of the coun-
try. The scheme was thought favorably
Of, and IL was voted 10 recommend IL TO |
fl.D 1r.-.--.l