Omaha daily bee., 1895-04-22
NEWS FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS
Y. M. Q. A. Anniversary Services Made a
Memorable Occasion.
OBJECT Of III. ORGANIZATION EXPLAINED
Secretary Curtis LucidIy Sets Forth Its
Origin, Aims and Methods OF Deal
ing with the Men and Boys
of the World.

The thirteenth anniversary meeting Of the
Young Mems Christian association was held
at the First Presbyterian church yesterday
| afternoon. 1t was opened by a brief song
service, led by Henry Coker, President
Keys occupying the chair. Scripture reading
by Rev. Mr.. Conrey was followed by prayer
by Rev. T. f. Thickstun. The president, in
few appropriate remarks, called attention
to certain features of the work. Mr. Homer
reported for the devotional committee and
Mr.. Leyerett submitted his report as treas
urer, which showed that about s., 500 had
been received and expended since the last
annual report.
few moments were given for testimon-
ials as to the value of association work.
Messrs. Saunders, Wallace, Orcutt, Rice
and McNitt responding with brief but most
encouraging remarks.
DR.. Cooley of Chicago was introduced
and spoke feelingly of the work of the asso-
citation as seen by gospel minister, giving
conspicuous examples of Christian workers
developed by the association, closing with
an earnest plea for the people of this city
TO stand Loyalty by the work here.
Secretary Harry Curtis was asked to give
a birdseye view of the association work
He said that the work was but ffty-one
years Olu, llldL IL was OTBaIlLeu Dy GeOTBe
Williams of London. to reach not the young
men of the world, but the draper clerks of
single mercantile house in that metropolis
The work was blessed with results and the
mission was enlarged and the object became
to reach the draper clerks of all the houses
Of London; then all clerks; then all young
men of London. Said he: Then IT came
across the water, and like all good English
ideas 1t took on American progressiveness
hence we have an organization, born of
English conservation and thought, married
to American progressveness and thrift
| through which there has been generated an
army of the most aggressive Christian
warriors on the face of the earth. These
are gathered together in 5000 brigades and
in the ranks march 100000 men. What
does that mean? Gather together all the
men between the ages of Is and So in this
fair commonwealth and you have not so
| many as are enrolled as members of the
Young Mems Christian association of the
world today.
"One of the reasons for this marvellous
| growth may be attributed to the fact that
early in it's history in this country was ap-
| pointed a wise international committee. This
| committee met and taking a young man into
| the laboratory Of its Investigations, analysed
| him and found he was composed of body
mind and spirit, and the committee said
| If we are to attain the highest efficiency
we must do something that will administer to
| his triangular nature The body of man.
The most magnificent production of the per-
| fected workmanship of the Creator. Man.
erect, upright statuesque, with eyes looking
| heavenward, escaping the miasmus and
| putrefaCtions that surround the lower earth
| The mind, its capabilities Of taking hold Of
| the hidden things Of earth, sea and sky and
| explaining them, and the spirit, that attribute
that gives us kinship to our God and His
| Son. When I consider all of this l stand
with uncovered head before this proud crea-
| tion of proud Creator.
For the body we have the gymnasiums
| the baths, the health talks the outing parks
the rambling clubs, the boarding house and
employment work. and the visitation of the
| sick. For the mind the reading rooms Ii
| braries, lecture courses the night schools
| university extension courses receptions. etc
| The spirit-with implicit faith in our God
and with answering belief in Jesus Christ
we use all reasonable means to bring men
| into harmony with the claims of the gospel
| Train men for usefulness to do personal and
| invitation work Agencies, training classes
| gospel meetings song services after meet
ings, shop and neighborhood meetings and
| open air services. This work is managed
| by board of directors and aided by commit
| tees, such as devotional, reception, invitation
membership, etc. | want to say to this audi
| ence that | am proud of our officers and di-
| rectors. They are men who stand we'll on
| change. are consecrated, practical and will
| ing to learn they ittingly represent a Chris
| tian association.
Il have already presented to you one tri-
angle. | now wish in closing to hang up an
| other. Our work is triangular, in that it is
work Of prevention, a work of education
and work of rescue, with emphasis on the
| first. Years ago the only mission of the asso-
| citation seemed to be to rescue men from the
! gutter. A good work, and God grant that
wo may never turn our backs upon that
work. But more important work is to pre-
| vent them from ever falling into the gutter
and educating them along lines of higher
7 nj
Broadway and Pearl street we believe that
under God we will be able to do that work -