Evening star., 1896-10-06
Annual Meeting Of the Young Mems
Christian Association.
DETAILED REPORTS OF OFFICERS
Popular Subscription Planned for a
New Club House.
THE MEETING HELD

Men CHRISTIAN ASSOCldtlOu OF tne
District of Columbia was held last even
ing at their hall. No. 400 New York ave-
nue. northwest. and was attended by one
of the largest assemblages which has been
present on any similar occasion in the
history of the organization. So many per-
sons were there that the room where the
its seating capacity and members stood
during the entire proceedings.
President l.. Cabell Williamson presided
and General Secretary w. NJ. Multer con-
Quoted devotional exercises. AS soon
these We're concluded President William
son submitted his report for the past year,
in which he said:
THE difficulties in the prosecution of
the work have been felt very keenly by
the directors and committeeman of the as
sociation. On every hand they have met
the cry of hard times and had to con-
tend with the reduction in subscriptions.
business has been mere and more de-
pressed. The limited rooms have greatly
curtailed the advantages usually offered
by the association to its members. Hence,
the membership privileges have failed to
attract a large number, causing notice.
able reduction in the receipts of the as
sociation, while the expenses could not be
reduced proportionately.
The reduction in the number OF mem
bers compels us to face the fact that !!
we would attract a larger number of mem
bers and make the association of the great
est possible profit to the largest number
of young men Of the city, We must eX-
tend advantages of such excellence ana
SO great variety that VIII attract them,
whatever be their inclination, whether
toward physical, mental, social or spiritual
departments.
Washington is perhaps, more than any
other city in the country, city OF young
men. Daily calls at our office and the large
4 from
from all parts of the country reveals the
fact that there are coming into our city
numbers of young men who are leaving
their homes in every hamlet, village ana
city in the country, and swelling the army
of young men already employed in the vari-
offices of the city. The association
sends large numbers of such young men
every month into Christian homes in the
city, and their interest in the association
would be enlisted and continued if the
building and it's advantages were of suifi-
cient attraction During the few closing
weeks of the year vast numbers of young
nen have made inquiry about the athletic
and other departments of the work. and it
has been with the deepest regret that We
have seen them leave the association to be
come identified with other Institutions.
While the educational work has filled an
important place in the lives Of hundreds of
young men, there are still many lines OF
study that could he successfully undertake
en-. Especially is this true in mechanical and
Industrial lines, which departments are at
present untouched. Scranton, Pa, and
Hartford, Conn, are among many aSSocla-
tions where the educational department has
received endoWmentS as memorials. y
well-endowcd commercial and industrial
school, that would fl young men for busi-
Eess well as for various lines of manu-
featuring, building, plumbing. bricklaying.
Stonecutting, iron and Woodworking, etc,
Hould bring grea. honor and perpetual
memory to one who would wisely endow
such department of our work as me-
mortal"
The report called attention to the need
ton building.
The report further says:
THE first nine months of the year tho
ASSOCIATION work was conducted In the
Lehman building. where a successful edu-
cational work was carrie! on, and the work
of reorganization was begun. on July ]
quarters We're taken up in the restored
rooms of Its old home: the Sabbath after
noon services and Bible studies, which had
been conducted in Foundry NJ. L. Church
were returned. The increased attendance
proves the wisdom of the change. The
Sunday school teachers Bible study. under
the leadership of W. Fl. II. Smith, has held
it's sessions in the building since July. The
primary teachers meetings We're held in
the association rooms until their summer
vacation.
THE association is greatly indebted tc
Col ]. c. Bird for so ably teaching the
Sabbath afternoon Bible class. 1t is glad
| also 10 express It's afpre ldtlOn of the
| ices OF Mr. Chas. Hayden Chase. as leader
| of music. Mr. H. Burt as pianist. and Mr.
| NJ. M. Bartlett and members of the orches-
| ira for their faithfulness
The pastors of the city have extended
to the association every encouragcrnent Mt and
| aid in their power. and 10 their hearty CO.
| operation Is due to q great measure the
| success of the associations work To the
| newspapers is due the heartiest thanks for
their friendly interest: they have given IN.
| limited space in their vaIua BILE columns
| and spoken in the highest terms of the as
| sociation's work.
ITO the contributors we owe the hearticst
| thanks Of the association, for their kind.
ness makes possible the work that is be.
| ing conducted.
Not among the least of those to whom
| the association is under deepest obliga
| ton are those who have taken mart in N,
| committee work of the association during
the past year and helped to recover from
| the shocks under which we were SUFFERING
| at it's close.
During the year the following changes
| have occurred in the secretaral force: Mr.
| Slocum, who for three years. acted as
| assistant secretary. resigned to enter bust
ness; F: D. Harris, who for FIVE years Sc
| faithfully served as assistant also re
| signed to enter business. To both Mr. Slo
cum and Mr.. Harris the association /.
| pleased to express appreciation of service:
| rendered Particularly to acknowledge It!
| appreciation of Mr.. Harris ability an5
| devotion to the work as acting secretary
| after the death of Mr.. Pugh Mr.. Herman
| c. Metcalf was elected to succeed Mr.
| Harris on May Il. and he has proven him
| self well fitted for the position
| 1T Is with pleasure that we can report
| that we have secured the services of w
| N. Multer as general secretary Mr. Mul.
| ter has an experience of eleven years n
| association work, is we'll acq,laintad Will
| the finest association buildings in the com
| try, and how they were secured, and we re-
gard him as the man to lead US to the full.
| fllment of our desire. There is no doub
in the minds Of most of us but that this
| is the time to go forward We cannot re
main in cramped quarters, poorly appoint
ed and as poorly equipped, and hold oul
ground. There is but one way, and that 1:
forward To attempt to remain passive /.
to lose the influence, members support
standing in the community that IS the re
suit of forty-four years of hard work, an,
ind ourselves again at the bottom of
hill which we have striven 80 hard 10 climb
The expressions of interest in the associa
ton coming from every side leave NJ
doubt about The accomplishment Of ou
hope, viz, the erection OF a suitable per
manent building; and soon as confidenc,
In business shall be restored, a campaigl
will be begun for the securing of funds fo
this purpose. and we regret that at thi
time we cannot make public the plans thI