The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-10-08
Y. NJ. G. A. CONVENTION
THE TWENTY SECOND ANNUAL
OPENED THIS AFTERNOON.
THE ATTENDANCE NOT LARGE
What State Secretary Anderson Has to
say About the Work in the State
Association is Prosperous Con-
sidering the Times.

The twenty second annual state con-
vention of the Young Mems Christian
Association opened this afternoon at
o'clock at the Baptist church with a
| half hours devotional exercise in be-
half of the convention and the dele
gates. Immediately following this
came half hours Bible reading led by
Rev. Augustus Nash, the evangelist of
Lincoln, Neb. The preliminary organ
ization and assignment of the delegates
to their various places of entertain
ment followed, and closed the after
moons work.
This evening at 7:3O there will be
exercises at the Congregational church.
In speaking of the work of the state
association the past year, State Secre-
tary Anderson says: Considering the
hard times in business circles, the
state work has been highly prosperous
the past year. We have not only held
our own, but have gained ground,
strengthening some weak points in the
state and generally helping on the
work. When business becomes pros
| porous we consider that the work will
certainly show a great advance.
"The year has been marked by an
Unusual number of changes in the en-
ployed force of the state. Fourteen
men have newly entered the work as
secretaries, physical directors and as
sistants; thirteen men left the work of
these positions; five men have changed
fields in our own state and one has left
| this state for similar work in another.
This aggregate of thirty three changes
during the year has involved large
amount of care and planning on the
part of the state secretary. All secre-
tarial fields within the state are now
filled.
/ No new building enterprises have
been launched and no buildings have
been com pleted within the year. The
Waukesha building is now nearing
completion and it is expected that it
will be occupied by Nov. Is. The as
ISOLATION has employed general Sec
rotary and all it's work will now be
actively pushed.
"The policy of extension into the
smaller towns has been followed dur
ing the year. Conferences and conven-
tons haYe been held in considerable
numbers. In the First, or Milwaukee
district, sixteen conferences were held
with a total of 101 delegates present.
In the Second, or GAINESVILLE district,
eight conferences and one convention
we're held with a total of fifty delegates
present. In the Fifth, or Eau Claire
district, one convention was held with
three delegates present. The entire
number of district gatherings during
the year was thirty-four. Collections
for the state work were taken at these
gatherings amounting to $425.O2. At
nearly all of the points where confer
ences were held, some state members
were secured, and at certain points
groups were organized.
IA beginning has been made in a
new department, namely the county
work. A convention of Columbia coun
ty was held at Poynette Aug. % and
| %, at which there were representatives
| from a number of the towns in the
county. An organization was effected
| and it was decided to cali county sec
rotary. The plan is TO form groups of
the state association in unorganiZed
towns so far as possible, and to promote
bible study and gospel work among the
young men. The county secretary
will have relation TO each company Of
young men corresponding TO that Of the
| general secretary Of a city association.
/ In Rock county some preliminary work
has been done looking toward oounJy
| organization. 1t is expected that plans
now maturing will be put in action the
present season
"The college year which closed in
June, 1896, was characterized by %
strong, steady association work in
most of the institutions of Wisconsin.
Very distinct advances were made
along many lines.
A decided advance was made along
the lines of missionary work and study.
Missionary training classes in nearly
all of the institutions followed the
courses outlined by the student volun-
teer movement. More attention was
given to the securing of missionary
library and to the conduct Of regular
missionary meetings. Each succeeding
gathering of students at Lake Geneva
has seemed better than all others and
the rule proved remarkably true for the
gathering Of 1896. There were thirty
four men present from Wisconsin,
twenty eight of whom are now in
school. This is Wisconsin's largest
delegation. The entire conference was
one of great intensity and searching
power. 1t eliminated on the last Sun
| day.
1.-THE state association has just
-~1.:oI1 Gov ro1irinrc 1890