The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-10-04
BLOOMSBURY. PA. FRIDAY OCTOBER A. 1896

c''NS tiiSl IL lltlo SWGpl llllS country
from ocean to ocean, and from the
lakes to the gulf. The United States
of America is distinguished as having
the greatest number of Associations
of any country in the world. The
Association idea took root in Penn
sylvania arly in the sixties, the first
State Convention being held in Phila-
delphia in 1866, when an organization
was effected At the International Con.
vention, held in Portland, Me-, in
1869, the work was recognized.
In 1871 Pennsylvania had two Asso-
Citations employing general secretaries,
and one Association owning its own
building. To-day there are I46 AS.
sociations, as follows: City and town,
7o, Railroad, I6, German, 2, Colored,
8, Indian, I, College, 40, entrusted
with property worth $I,8SI, ,2I4, and
expending for current expenses, about
S25o,ooo year.
The first Young Mems Christian
Association was organized in Blooms
burg in 1876. The present organiza-
tlon was effected in 1891, and is nicely
housed at AZ West Main street. The
work is organized under four depart
ments, viz; Religious, Social, Educa-
.ional and Physical. The Association
is not equipped to do the complete
work to which it is called, for lack of
building of its own, with all the
necessary furniture, but it is hoped
this need will be met by the people of
Bloomsbury in the near future. Not
withstanding its lack of means, the
local Association has performed its
mission in the community Some
idea of the extent of the enterprise
may be gathered from the work of the
different departments. Under the re-
ligious, which is the chief work of the
Association, are the gospel meetings,
cottage and Jail meetings, special
evangelistic services, Bible classes,
evening prayers, and visitation of the
sick. Under the social, the holding
of socials, receptions and the giving
of concerts, lectures and entertain
ments. The educational department
provides for the reading rooms and ar
ranges for evening classes and practi-
cal talks. The physical department
instructs in the care of the body and
its relation to the higher nature. Be
side these the Association conducts a
boarding house register and employ
ment bureau.
The year 1895 has been a pros
porous one for the local Association.
1t has won its way into the hearts of
the people, and we have faith that
they will not suffer it to lack any ne
cessity, when its needs become known.
About $500 will be needed to carry
the work through to the close of the
year. Let everybody help, contribut-
ing what they can, if only mite, and
God will smile upon both giver and
worker. He has blessed the effort of
the workers abundantly this year, the
Association occupying position at
tained by very few, if any, Associa-
tions, that Of having three-fourths an
attendance at the religious meetings,
of the daily attendance at the rooms.
The record for the first three-quarters
of 1895 is as follows:
"a meetings, for men, Av Att, aO6. ....... 7O14
Attendance at various religious meetings l0,460
| Total attendance at all.................17,4 17,474
Proressed conversions. s...................... go
The officers for 1895 are: Presi-
dent, S. c. Greasy; Vice Presidents,
Prof G.. f. Wilbur, DR.. Andrew Gray
don; Recording Secretary, A. N. Yost;
Acting Treasurer, w. r. Kocher; Di-
rectors, E. B. Tustin, M. 1. Low, w.
II. Brooke, w. B. Cummings, Prof.
c. H. Albert, w. r. Kocher; General
Secretary, f. Freeman Boas; Super
intendent of Building, Robert Moore.
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR CONVENTION.
The Eighth Bi-County Convention
of the Christian Endeavor Societies
of Columbia and Montour counties
Will be held in the United Evangeli-
cal church at Light Street on Thurs.
day October 3Ist, 1885. A full pro-
gramme has been prepared. Further
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