Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-05-10
NEEDS OF CHRISTIANS |
And How They May Best BE Attained
Discussed at Springfield.
Spiritual Work the Real Basis
of the Y. III. G. A.
Educational and Physical Accomplishments
Must Not Bc Lost Sight o.

EPRINGFIELD May lO.-The second day
session OF the international convention
authorized Mr. larson OF Sweden to carry
back TO the Young Mems Christian asso-
citation convention, to be held there June o,
greeting of this body.
The first topic Of discussion was Points
Of Encouragement and Points OF Danger
In the Development of State and Provin-
cial Work"
DIR. L. c. Warner Of New York said
there was danger of putting too much de-
pcndenoe upon paid agents, and OF being
too much absorbed in secular matters.
Russell Sturgis of Boston said we began
wrong in the state to found the organiza-
ton. We secured the cooperation of men
and women, but the mainstay and the OBJ
ject should have been to get young men.
r. J. Gillespie said that the association
should do something for the development
of Christian workers and to develop a
spirit of Christian liberality.
K. A. Sinclair read paper giving
history of the growth Of the order. Presi-
dent Gates of Amherst college spoke upon
Opportunity, Obligation, Possibility"
The Afternoon Session.
Yesterday afternoons session was di-
vided into three sectiOns-the spiritual
work, the educational work and the physi-
cal work. Papers were read at all of these
sessions, after which there was general
discussion of the subjects.
The meeting in the interests Of the
spiritual work was held in the State Street
Baptist chCrch. r. $. Goodman of New
York presided and spoke briefly on 1.-The
Real Supremacy Of the Spiritual Work"
The spiritual work, he said was the basis
of the Y. M. G.. A and was the real reason
for it's existence. 1t furnishes the only
adequate motive for the association, and
it also serves as an inspiration for carry
ing the work on.
The next speaker was j. Il. Robinson of
Pittsburg, and he confined himself to the
subject, 'How can this supremacy get
its best expressions in all departments of
the work." He said that the spiritual
should dominate in association work.
The supremacy of the spiritual should
have great weight in the selection Of the
physical direction and the teachers for the
educational work.
The educational session was perhaps Of
the greatest interest to the large share Of
the delegates. The first speaker was s. H.
Berry of Brooklyn, who confined himself
to the library and reading rooms of associ-
atfons. He made very valuable sugges-
tions as to the class and kind of books
which should compose the library, and
also spoke Of the way these rooms should
be conducted.
Benefits Of Practical Talks.
H. A. Ames Of Montreal spoke on eli
brary Societies and Practical Talks" He
said: "In dealing with this subject let US
divide 1t by considering as literary socie-
ties those gatherings In which number
take part; and as practical talks, the in
formal lecture delivered by other than
association members. Now as to the
first Great is the work which has been
done In times part by the debating society.
Many of Americas statesmen look back to
the lyceum platform as the starting point
for all subsequent success With the or
dinary literary society, Grafton, essay de-
bate, general discussion, decision and
critique all find place in the program.
Herein, then, the old-time association lit
erary society lies midway between the So
cial and educational work.
The speaker here spoke of some of the
faults Of the societies, saying that there
was tendency toward too much diversity
in the choice of subjects; that there was o
lack of practicability in the topics and
often q lack of earnestness of purpose. In
conclusion, Mr.. Ames dwelt briefly on the
latter part of his subject in regard to prac-
tical talks.
The third speaker at this meeting was
w. H. Coughlin of Brooklyn, who spoke
in favor of art, sketching and music clubs
as features Of educational work in the
Y. M. G. A., and he was followed by l..
w. Messer Of Chicago, who spoke on 1.-THE
Educational Director, His Qualifications
and Duties"
The Athletic Question.
A great deal of interest conferred in the
physical work department. Although the
question Of forming Y. NJ. G. A. athletic
league has been agitated among the as.
ISOLATION leaders, 1t has never been brought
into the international convention before
The matter was presented by j. r. South.
eriand Of Joliet, Ills. He advised the
formation OF league to be governed by
tho international committee, which should
include as active members all the Y. NJ
O. AS in North America and a. associate
members any athletic organization con.
nected with any philanthropic, educa.
tional or religious institution Of the coun-
try. The scheme was thought favorabiy
OF, and 1t was voted to recommend 1t To
the general convention for adoption.
At the evening session a letter was read
from John J. McCook Of New York. "The
splendid work of the railroad depart
ment, he wrote, wherever it has had a
lair chance to show its scope, capacity and
results, has more than demonstrated the
great advantages it provides for the
men; what real comfort and enjoyment il
brings to them; how it protects then
from extravaganza, temptation and sin
how 1t makes them better husbands an,
fathers; how it strengthens and elevate
their characters and lives how il has beer
TO many, humanely speaking, the means O
saving their souls" Mr.. McCook wrot
how the managers of the railroads wcr
beginning more and more to see the goo
the association is doing.
j. M. Burwick Of Worthington, Ind,
freight conductor, told what the assoeia
tion had done for him and was doing 10
others on the road.