Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-05-06
RED LETTER DAY.
Anniversary Observance Of the
Y. M. c. A.
SPEAKERS IN VARIOUS CHURCHES.

OK AAAh0O In vAh1OU0 OaOh Od6S.
Outline of the Addresses and Also OF the
Work Accomplished During the Past
Year-Prominent Members Of the Asso-
citation Present.
A fitting tribute to the work of the
Young Mems Christian Association
was given yesterday morning in the
numerous church services and in the
large audience at the Association
building in the afternoon. The first
year in the completed building has
demonstrated the fact that as an in
vestment the institution is paying
large returns already. With ade-
quate support the coming year n
much broader work can be done.
The treasurer reports that although
all bills are paid to date, there are
additional subscriptions to the
amount of $1,400 to carry on
the work for the remainder
of the year. sum which surely
should be subscribed this week.
During the past year the senior
membership has been increased from
$50 to 259; the junior from 33 to So.
making the total May 1, 1895, 314
against 1873 a year ago. Since Janu-
airy the average daily attendance at
the building has been over 100.
Evening classes in vocal music, me-
chanical drawing and penmanship
have been added to the educational
facilities, with total enrolment of
80 different students, and have made
sufficient progress to become a per-
manent feature, and one of the most
satisfactory departments of effort.
For the money expended nothing has
yielded larger returns. The physi-
cal director, W. l. Lavender,
entered on his duties Oct. Is, and
the gymnasium was opened Thanks
giving day with an exhibition which
was largely attended. Nine gymnas-
ium classes have been conducted
each week with an average daily at
tendance of As. A junior exhibition
was given March 2, and an exhibit
tion by the senior classes March 8,
both of which we're largely attended.
The classes have also taken part in
other receptions. A bicycle club
has been organized with % members,
storage room provided and club
rooms and other attractions ar
ranged. Receptions have had a
prominent place. holidays being
especially observed, including Hal
low Zen, Christmas, New Years,
Washington's birthday and April
Fools day. On election night the
association kept open house with
special returns on it's own wires.
These. with coffee and sandwiches,
brought in 290 men. The average
attendance at the young mems
meetings Sunday afternoon for the
year has been 4s. gain OF four over
last year. Special Sundays were
May 80, July 4. Thanksgiving.
Christmas. New Year. Easter and
Wheelman's Sunday and Jubilee Sum
day June 3, with out of town speak
ers. The 50th anniversary of the
fittingly observed June 6. +. II
Burt, college secretary for Illinois,
speaking. A register of desirable
boarding houses is kept at the
office, and during the past year Sc
persons have been directed to them.
Among the improvements made has
been greatly enlarged plant for
furnishing our excellent bath rooms
with hot water. The appreciation is
shown by the fact that $500 baths
have been taken. Three receptions
have been given to the juniors.
These are the facts CLEANED from
the report of Secretary Blakslee.
which was read in the various city
churches in the morning.
The broadway.
At the Broadway Presbyterian
church f. II. Burt. college secretary
for Illinois, set forth clearly aud ably
some exceedingly interesting facts
concerning this work. The speaker
first congratulated the association
upon the report just read, for the
good showing made; but most of all
upon the generous public spirit
which these results showed in our
citizens. Familiarity breeds not
always contempt. but frequently
CsiIciSsSucSS. anu IL Is tudI
we give but slight attention to some
very important facts because they
are so familiar to US. 1t scarcely
seems possible that the centennial
anniversary of the founding of Sab
bath schools has but verv recently
been celebrated, vet such is the case,
and the magnificent results which
have crowned that work are the
achievements of single century.
Missions are comparatively new, are
thought Of by US as often as though
they had always existed. We won
der now how the church got along
without organized effort among her
young people, and it is but a dozen
years since Father Clarke, as
we are pleased to call him.
got together the first band of
young people for regular
work in the church. and so founded
an almost worldwide movement,
the Young Peoples Society of Chris
tian Endeavor. The importance OF