Birmingham state herald., 1895-10-15
Of the Young Mems Christian
 Association.
THE LABORS THE PAST YEAR
Report of the Directors and Interesting Sta tiStics-AddreSSes of Dr. Morris and
 Mr. James Bowron.

The president, Mr.T Andrew Johnston, read the following report of the board or directors, which embraced every item:
 Report of the Directors of the Birmingham Young Mems Chris tian association for the year ending Sep tember 30, 1895:
 Many of you know that it is our chief aim and effort to surround our members with all the good influences al our eem- mand, and every possible effort is made to educate and elevate them to higher plane of living. To accomplish this we bring to our Bible classes, gospel meet ings educational classes, entertainments, lectures, gymnasium, baths and good companionship.s
 Spiritual.
 Around this department of our work clusters our hope and desire. Meetings Were held every Sunday during the year. except the two Sundays MT, Moody was in our city,
 The bright singing, which has been fea ture of our meetings, was due to the faithfulness of Prof. William Thomas, who is always present at the piano. band of faithful workers conduct services al the county jail every Sabbath. The prisoners are very attentive listeners. All the religious literature taken from the reading room tables is distributed a the jail.
 The following statistics give some idea of the work accomplished in this depart ment:
 Ten mems gospel meetings average at- tendance A, total attendance 2146. One meeting for men and women at tendance 235.
 Eleven sessions Bible class, average at tendance '. total attendance 77.
 Eleven services held at jail.
 Seven weeks of prayer service. average attendance 15, total attendance 75. YTwnntV-SpVpn Twelve decided to live Christian lives Seven united with churches.
 The largest results of the personal work of the general secretary and our earnest young workers eternity alone can measure.
 Rev. Hugh K. Walker of Baltimore will conduct services during the week of prayer in the association gymnasium hall. The hearty cooperation of all Chris tian men is asked.
 Educational.
 After the spiritual training the educa- tional is the most important work of our assecation. To this end one reading room and library are open from a. m, to 10 D. m. on week days and from to , on Sundays, and to the full extent of ous ability are kept supplied with books, magazines and papers. It is greatly de- sired that the supply of reading matter be largely increased.
 During the summer plans were made
  manship, bookkeepinll an mechanical drawing will be taught by competent men. This is an advance step by our association. Any man interested Is h. vited to the opening exercises tonight at 8 o'clock.
 Last November and December seven lectures were given by prominent phys- clans on subjects of vital interest to young men. An average of twenty-nine men were present at each.
 fhn nr0n0Spd to have a course of lectures by local gen. tlemen on business and travel.
 Physical.
 We do not aim to train professional athletes but encourage the development of the entire body. building it systemati- cally for health and endurance The ed- ueation of our general secretary at the Young Mems Christian Association Training school enables him to be of great assistance to those who specially need physical exercise for health. Some idea of this work will be given by the fol- lowing figures:
 Number of classes during the year. 201. Number of business mems classes, 597. Number of young mems classes. 1S41 Number using gymnasium, but not in classes, 1460.
 Number of visitors to gymnasium, 1591. Number of different persons using gymnasium. 297.
 The fall opening of the gymnasium takes places Thursday night Stop in some time during the evening and look around.
 A marked characteristic of our mem bers is their love for cleanliness. The to- tai number of ba ths taken amounts to IT, 553, making an average Of seventy-one per day The number of different persons using baths. 403.
 Social.
 The association is home for young homo friends man wants to sit in his room every night after hard days work, but longs for pleasant companionship. If there is no Christian association open to receive him there are many places of evil resort ready to take and lead him to ruin.
 The associa ton arranged a course of members monthly socials, consisting of short entertainment by local talent fol- lowed by refreshments, served by our faithful woman's auxiliary. Our parlor is nicely furnished, and piano, checkers, chess and croknole enable young man to spend a pleasant evening.
 The statistics of this department are: Seven members monthly socials av- craze attendance, 145; total attendance. 1918 Two members meetings, average at tendance, 145 total attendance, 52; Eight rehearsals of Grambs' band. average at- tendance. 20; total attendance. 160. One committee tea, attendance, 35. One New Years reception. attendance, 312.
 We desire to thank all who gave their services to make these entertainments so successful.
 Boys.
 The association has not been in the po- sition to give the boys the attention their importance demands. During the past year the gymnasium and baths were about all we had to offer them. Two en- tertainments were held with twenty-five boys at each and seventy-four gymna- sium classes, averaging ten each: total, 756
 The association now has boys reli- gious meeting every Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by boys, and nearly every one takes some part. If you have boy between 12 and 16 years of age send him next Saturday morning.
 Visiting the Sick.
 Twice during the year has the associa- tion been called upon to furnish watchers by night at the bedside of friendless young men. The members are prompt in responding 10 such calls.
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