Evening journal., 1896-11-25
THE ASSOCIATION WORK.
GENERAL SECRETARY LANG'S IN
TERESTlNG TALK.
HE TELLs WHAT Us Being DON

tiE Ellis W Hal ID bElNG JUNE
BY THE Y. NJ. C. A. IN BEHALF
OF THE YOUNG MEN AND BOYS.
What is the present condition Of
the Y. NJ. c. Az" asked an Evening
Journal reporter of General Secretary
Lang this morning.
Il am pleased with most lines Of our
work" he said, "and the progress Of
the past year has been very substan-
tial. We are utilizing every facility
but simply can't do all that needs
doing because of limited accommoda-
tions and funds. l have been here one
year now and know the situation, and
my twelve years experience in this
work assure me that there is a bright
outlook for our work"
rs the physical department doing
good work?"
Yes, it is booming. More men and
better work than ever. Two facts here
deserve careful consideration. First.
we have reached the limit of size of
classes; more members means more
classes at other hours. Second, our
work is carefully graded and every
man receives just what he needs as far
as we can influence him TO take it,
you have no football team this
year," the reporter suggested
mo" he said, 1--WE regret that the
football team was not possible this
year, because many oiu players had to
drop out for business and other rea-
sons. We want a winning team or
none.'
do many non-members make use
Of the building and its public facili-
ties?"
"The attendance at the building is
about equally of members and nom
members" Mr.. Lang replied. 1--WE keep
no careful statistics of attendance
During October the average daily at
tendance, exclusive of meetings, was
seventy-nine. November will be much
! larger, and it win increase all Win
/ ter.
What about the condition of the re-
! ligious work."
"The religious work has had a fine
growth, and yet much remains to be
accomplished We have reached hun
dreds of young men within the past
year. During the Summer when most
things lag, our extra efforts produced
a substantial gain in attendance at the
| Sunday meetings. The Bible class,
taught last Winter by c. r. Hurlburt,
of Philadelphia, was largely attended,
and will open again early next month.
A Saturday night meeting, Sunday af-
ternoon Bible class and Bible class
for boys have been recently started.
You do work among the boys as
well as among the young meny'
"Oh yes, we do something for the
boys, but not nearly all we would like
however. II is, at present, limited ia
gymnasium class twice week. and the
Bible class. The boys will be young
men soon."
How does the work here compare
with that which has been done in
. other cities of like size and oppOrtuni
2 ties?"
: Our work compares very favorabll
q with that in other places of the size o
= Wilmington when our inferior facili
/ ties are considered. For instance
S scarcely a place of its population il
e the United States but owns a buildin,
. in size, value and appearance man,
,. times that in our city. Again. ou
!, | yearly running expenses are One-tbirl
b less than in a number of towns l coul
e mention where in membership. at
would hustle them"
''Do you have sufficient and efficien
,f aid from those who should give it L
|. you?"
:. mo. The equipment is not any
. thing. We sadly need workers, and
,s am glad to note a steady increase
4 About sixty men are at present ol
committees and some work very faith
fully. OF course most men join th
association for what they can get on
of it. and if we cannot develop
D. workers interest in such, yet our mai
L object is gained. They have the goo
Sc influences we offer them. That's wha
le we are here for. The social life {
l. young men is the important one.
influences everything else. We try
make the social atmosphere of ou
( building attractive. and think W
succeed. The reception committee hs
members on duty of evenings receiN
le ing members and strangers and pro
.u noting good fellowship We have o'
IN casional socials and receptions. At I'll
le religious meetings the sociability
= very marked"
"But you need money!"
he Eyes, we need funds very badly, bl
ct do you know anything these tins
d. that does not2 II the communii
Is, would investigate what is being dor
there would be no lacking Of money.