The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-15
OF A RELIGIOUS NATURE
Novel Plan Adopted BY the Young
Mems Christian Association.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE MISSION
Young Japanese viii speak Tomorrow at
y. VI. C. A. Hsll-RuIes for the
Observance of Lcnt-NOtcs
and Church Services.


The Young Mems Christian associa-
tion is working up novel plan for in
creasing its membership. Under or
dinary circumstances this fact would
not occasion much comment or inter-
est, but in the present case two hun
dred young men are to me engaged In
a struggle for supremacy that promises
to involve. indirectly. the several thou
sands of young men in Scranton eligible
to membership in the association.
1t is proposed to have the present
members divide into two parties, in
each of which there will be about hum
dred Each side will then perfect its
own organization and vie with the other
side in securing the greatest number of
new members before a given date. The
successful side will be rewarded with a
banquet or some other thing equally
pleasant and to be decided upon later.
After the members of each side are
chosen 1t Is proposed that they shall
proceed in their campaign according
to their own ideas. provided the meth
ods used are approved by the general
secretary of the association.
The plan has been tried successfully
in other cities. notably Rochester. Day
ton. Cleveland and Mauch Chunk. At
present the idea Is In an unfinished
state here but all arrangements will
probably be made next week.
Former Disciple OF Buddha To Speak.
A young japanese gentleman of cul-
ture and refinement Is visiting the
Young Mems Christian association of
this city, who has had u rather event
full career in our land. He came SIX
years ago to get western education.
for Il year or more his father, who Is a
retired merchant of considerable means.
supporting him. But when the young
man, who had been converted at n
meeting of the college Young Mems
Christian association, Informed his
father that he had renOunced Buddha
and accepted Christ. he was promptly
disinherited and thrown upon his own
resources.
He proved fully equal to the task of
supporting himself. however. and by
hard manual labor earned enough to
enable him to graduate with honor.
Not only this. but he inaugurated q
movement for the erection of n college
Young Mems Christian association
building. During the last summer he
directed n body of volunteers among
tHe students in the manufacture of
3ON. 900 brick for the building, and he Is
now making tour of the country in
an effort to secure the needed funds for
its erection He will speak tomorrow
afternoon on Buddhism and Shintoism
versus Christianity.
Anniversary of the Rescue Mission.
The word gratitude hardly expresses
the joy that has come to the superin-
tendeut, the executive committee and
others connected with the Rescue mis-
sion, over the result of last years work,
and there is further reason for JOY to
them in the fact that the noble work
of the institution will be continued in
definitely, Notwithstanding the dis
coura ging outlook OF a few weeks ago
when many believed funds for carrying
on the work for another year could not
be secured.
On Tuesday night Of this week there
was a special service In celebration of
the missions fourth anniversary. The
mission room was filled to It's fullest
capacity by the converts and their
families Their presence was an evil
dence of the interest they feel In the in
stitution, but there was a better evil
dence in their looks of concern when
was mentioned the first expression of
the committee that there had been a
doubt about continuing the mission.
The manner and attitude of those as
sembled indicated bitter disappoint-
ment, and the change to more joyous
expression at the announcement that
the difficulty had been surmounted was
very apparent.
The general public has but a slight
conception of the real work of the Res
cue mission. 1t Is something more than
a place Of shelter fOI The professional
loanger; 1t Is something more than
mere medium for venting the inclina-
ton of a set of men and women who
want to manage something simply for
the occupatrn that managing affords
it is more Zian this. The Rescue mis-
sion is q charitable church-residence
the door of which will not be turned
against the temporary sheltering of a
deserving person. Its inmates are not
inmates in the ordinary sense of the
word. The people sheltered are men
whose poverty prevents them from
smothering their pride and seeking re-
ligious consolation and help from a
church. persons who are hungry for
higher things but who are poor.
What the mission Is doing may be
comprehended from the following
which was embodied In Superintendent
Sanborn's report for last year: Number
of meetings, 402; number attending
meetings. 22,S4S; number asking for
prayer $50: number processing conver-
sion, 9S: number of lodgings furnished
men without money, go; number of
paid lodgings. 49S.
Rules for Lentcn Season
The following circular letter with ref
erence to the observance of Lent will
be read in all of the Catholic churches
of the Scranton diocese tomorrow:
According to the general discipline Of
the Church and special faculties granted
to us by our Holy Father, Leo XIII.
The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday.
falls on Feb. 10.
/. All the faithful who have completed
their twenty-first year. are bound to OBJ
serve the Fast of Lent, unless dispensed
for legitimate reasons.
3 One meal day Is allowed except on
Sunday.
B. This meal is to be taken about noon
4. On those days on which permission is
granted to eat meat, both meat and fish
are not TO be used at the same meal even
by way of condiment.
). A collation. or partial meal Is allowed
in the evening. The general practice Of
pious Christians limits its quantity to the
fourth part of an ordinary meal.
6. Bread, butter, cheese. fruit of all
kinds, salads. vegetables and fish are
are also permitted.
Z. Custom has made it lawful to drink in
the morning some warm liquid. such as
tea and coffee or thin chocolate made with
water.
s. Necessity and custom have authorized
the use of lard instead of butter in pre-
pairing fish, vegetables. etc.
Q. The following persons are not bound
to observe the fast: All under u years
of age: the sick: pregnant women and
those giving suck to Infants: those VINO
are obliged to do hard work. and all vino.
. l. mt fn