The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-11-22


| The Y. w. c. A. began its existenc
| in a little place called Normal, Illinois
in 1879. From that small beginnin
among some college girls it has grow
to be National, International an,
Worlds organization. There are nov
in this country alone $50 coileg
organizations and 6I city, a few o
which are in Canada.
This State was organized in 1888
this being the eighth annual conven
tion, and has organizations in all tn,
principal cities. Pittsburg has
membership Of 1904, Scranton 4s7 il
two organizations, Harrisburg 3oS
Wilkes Barre 900, Lancaster 600
York ago, Williamsport us, S. Pitts
burg 1873, &c.
1t is the aim of the Association tc
organize wherever the communit,
desires it. Where they are properly
equipped they not only provide a
place of meeting, comfortable parlors,
but rooms and board andnoon lunches,
and every comfort young woman
can have in her own home.
The convention met in the Lutheran
Church Friday afternoon about one
hundred and fifty delegates in attend
ance. Whilst it is called the Young
Woman's Christian Association there
were many present who SO far as years
are concerned, could not be called
young, but as some one said they
were young in spirit, and hence the
gray hair, whilst it did not detract
from their usefulness added to the
dignity of the assembly. The larger
part of the convention was composed
of handsome, cherry faced young
ladies, who were banded together for
noble purpose, viz elevating woman
hood. We can imagine of no work,
more praise worthy or commendable
than that in which they are engaged,
and an attendance upon these meet
ings convinced every one OF the
incerity of their motives.
Its objects are virtually the same
as the Y. M. G. A. only for the other
sex, the class perhaps who need it
more than the young men, for it is
certain that society will not rise
higher than the young women who
compose it. Let the women be pure
and upright and they set the standard
to which young men must come if
they would be companions.
The time has come in the social
sphere when the same standard Of
purity must be maintained for either
sex, and these women are working to
that end.
The evening session was held in the
Normal Auditorium and was in the
nature of a public meeting with short
spirited addresses by leading repre-
sentative women. Miss Nellie Allen,
of New York, spoke eloquently of the
" College Work" Miss Rachel Tolles,
of Scranton, of the "City Work"
Mrs. L. M. Gates. of Scranton, of
the State Work." Miss Grace L.
Wing, of Chicago, of the "Inter-
national" Miss r. F. Morse, who is
travelling in the interests of the work
in India and Australia, sent her paper
on the Worlds Work" which was
read by Miss Mary S. Dunn, the State
Secretary, from Scranton.
The address of the evening was by
Miss Efie X. Price, of Chicago.
Though the hour was late all remain
ed to hear this remarkable address.
For half hour Miss Price held the
large audience in wrapt attention as
she spoke In glowing terms of the
work done by "The Young Women's
Association in Every Field"
The Saturday morning session of
the convention convened in the
Lutheran church at $3.50 o'clock with
one hundred and torty-one delegates
present. Every city Association was
represented and with two exceptions
every school and college Association
in the State. Lock Haven Normal
School and Carlisle Indian School
sent delegates with view to organic.
ing Ass ociations and becoming con-
nected with the work.
The reports of the State Secretary,
Miss Dunn, and Treasurer, Mrs. Carr,
were very encouraging. Four new
three college and one
city, were organized during the year.
The total receipts of the year were
over sixteen hundred dollars. The
balance in the treasury was one
hundred and nine dollars. The city
membership aggregates over three
the college one thousand
In the Bible hour Rev. ]. T. Jeffers
spoke of the study of the Bible. His
talk was full of beautiful thought and
for students and teachers
Of the Scripture. Miss Skeele, direct
Or of the physical culture department
gave very practical talk on the
9 Relation Of Physical Culture to Y. |
IU ua.I.