Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-15
THE Y. M, @. A. Anniversary.

Interesting Exercises sunday---An In
crease Of 100 in the Association Mem
bershIp.
The thirteenth anniversary exercises of
the Young Mems Christian association
were held in the Congregational church
Sunday evening" when G. A. Hall, secre-
tary of the state of New York, addressed
large audience. The exercises opened with
an anthem by the choir, following which
Rev. G. O. Day read the parable of the tai
eEts and Rev. L, d. Temple offered prayer,
which was plea for the townspeople to
rally to the support of this noble organiza-
ton.
General Secretary Burton G. Austin gave
a brief report of the association during the
past year, in which he stated that with the
assistance of the faithful and efficient
Womans auxiliary, and on account of bet
ter facilities for social, spiritual and phys
ical work, and for reaching all classes of
men, better work had been done and better
| results accomplished than heretofore, and
that the membership of the association had
increased by over 100 during the year.
Mrs. G. f. X. Jenne, secretary of the
Woman's auxiliary, reported an increase in
membership of that body of II, and to-
tai membership of 1862. The auxiliary has
furnished room in the International Y.
NJ. G. A. training school in Springfield,
Mass, besides devoting the proceeds of the
| Art Loan exhibition to the work among
boys.
After this report President Estey intro
duced Mr.. Hall, who made the address of
the evening. Mr.. Hall is a veteran among
young men and is known as one of the
most efficient organizers in any of our
states He said, in effect, that in spite of
the opposition which the work had to en-
counter in its primitive stages it had stead
lily grown, until now the church had come
to consider its utility as second only to that
of the Sunday school. 1t seeks to enlist
and equip young men to work for others
and to unite young men of all classes I'M
mindful of denominations. 1t fosters and
stimulates every line of church work and
is the root from which have sprung all of
the various young peoples societies. The
value of its work to railroad corporations
is shown by the fact that $4,000 was
given last year by these corporations alone.
Mr.. Hall mentioned many other interest
ing facts.
After a very pleasant rendering of Buck S
"Lead kindly light by the choir the ex-
ercises closed with a benediction by Presid-
ing Elder Beeman of the Methodist church.
Preceding the exercises was a meeting
at the association rooms at A o'clock when
Mr. Hall addressed the young men, and
Miss Thomas and Mr.. Hackley rendered
musical selections.
The local association has made marked
progress in all its branches of work and
has present membership of sos. Its re-
ligious meetings, social meetings, library,
periodicals and free reading room, gymna-
stun classes and drills afford facilities and
opportunities for the cultivation of all of
the manly instincts of young men. 1t has
on hand cash amounting to Sl4.6S te-be
applied to the expense of fitting up new
rooms. The needs of the association the
coming year are $500. Better facilities
mean better work, therefore let there be q
generous response by the townspeople that
there may be no embarrassment in contin
uing the good work which has proven sc
invaluable factor IN maintaining through
out the town high moral standard
The state committee of Young Men:
Christian associations of Vermont and New
hampshire has arranged to employ a mum
Der of students, beginning in June, to wish
the smaller towns of the states, the object
being to increase an interest in aggressive
Christian work
There will be no charge for expenses
Young peoples societies, leagues, brother
hoods or unions desiring to avail them
selves of these visits may learn furthe
about them by addressing members of the
committee, Gen. j. j. Estey being the 10
cal member.