The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-20

G. a. has gradually expanded, adding
one feature after another, until 1t meets
almost oil the wants Of young men, In
tellectually. physically and socially, us
well as spiritually. II Is true that the
spiritual welfare OF young mon IL still
Its object, but It undertakes TO reach
this end In various ways. II 1t cannot
reach tho young man with Its religious
meetings 1t may with Its lectures.
classes, gymnasium, baths, socials, etc.
And II II cannot win him to Christ ut
once. 1t may at least keep him out OF
the haunts OF the devil. II Is after the
young man. and for this purpose It
builds buildings and equIps them for
him.
1t has two classes OF members. active
and associate. The active members
alone Gun vote and hold office, and they
must be members of Evangelical
churches. The associate members
must be OF good moral characteri they
have all the privileges OF the active.
members, with the exceptions mention
ed. The Y. NJ. c. A. is not, therefore.
exclusive, but Inclusive. 1t opens Its
doors to every decent young man, and
offers to help him TO lead decent lie
and TO become child OF the King.
Its growth Of late years has been re-
markable. but not larger than II de.
serves. II now has in America l,4OO
local societies. with 100000 members;
with more than 1900 secretaries, ana
property valued at $l5.O0O,00O. 1t Is
found in fifty states and provinces.
In Int years 1t has added special de-
partments for work among special
classes. It's railroad department has
been very successful and beneficial.
There IRE now 10S associates On rail-
road centers for railroad men, ana ut
least one railroad president has pro-
nounced II OF more value to the SAFETY
OF the travelling public than NIL the
patent appliances that hnYe been de-
VIsed for that purpose.
But perhaps Its special work, that
will be the most productive for good in
the future. is Its college work. There
are now associations In 75 educational
institutions in America, with q mem
bershlp OF $4,000 students. Though
this department is quite new yet II IS
estimated that 10000 students have al
rendy been converted through its In
fluence and 5000 have pledged themsel-
YES to the foreign missionary work and
GOO OF these have already been sent out.
There are many other interesting and
important things that might be said
about the general work OF the Y. NJ. G.
A., but must forbear in order 10 say n
few things about Its local work. l am
heartily glad that Wheeling has q Y. NJ.
C. A.. and that 1t is so prepared for It's
beneficent work. 1t has n property
worth $4,000. which is reasonably well
equipped. It has pnrlor, lecture hall.
reading room. gymnasium. baths. special
classes, ETC., in short everything found
In similar institutions in larger ctdes.
It has an able and gentlemanly secre-
tary, who has obllging and competent
assistants, Its doors are open every
day In the year. 1t Is well fitted for Its
object. namely. helping young men to
a higher and litter life. II. OF course.
needs money. No benehcent institution
can be run without But It needs
young men more than money, young
men who are willing to pay a small fee
for its advantages and then use them.
There must be In Wheeling n1nny
young men who have no homes. who
spend their evenings somewhere, per-
hnps, in saloons. They could spend
them very protitably in the Y. NJ. c. a.
building, In the reading room, In the
special classes. In the lecture or prayer
hall, or IN Interesting and harmless
games. How much better that would
be than in the saloon or dance hall with
dissolute men and women. Can you
not interest some such young men In
the Y. NJ. c. A? You may save young
man by doing It