The Oskaloosa herald., 1897-01-14
ANNUAL \. N. c. A. RE-
PORT.

I WHAT Is G6I0H1ptSIleQs WHel q MAI is
brought in touch with the religion of Je-
sus Christ there are no figures that can
express the change in that mans life and
his value to the commuhitv.
The OskaIoosa Young Mems Christian
Association began the year 1896 with 247
names on the membership roll. After a
careful revision the year closed with 378
names on the list. Of these, II3 are full
active members, I5o are full associate
members, 70 Juniors and II contributing
members. Within the year SIT different
names have been on the books for a
greater or less time, many young men,
especially Students having been here but
for part Of fhe year. A great many
. strangers Isa3e visited the rooms, and
many men not members have used the
reading-roomSs
The reports Of YOUR various committees
have been filed from month to month and
from these some statistics have been COM
piled. The room were open goo DAYS,
from 5 a. m. to 10 p. m. OF week days
and 2 to 8 p. m. on Sundays. The bath
rooms were kept open later on Saturday
nights to accommodate the young men
/ who work till ten or after. In the twelve
months {, I88 baths were given and eight
soeials were given for young men and
boys, the boys, socials usually in the af-
ternoon. The year was opened with a
well-attended New YEARS. reception, then
the Red and Blue reception following the
membership contest, the bicycle social,
the election social, Thanksgiving, and
others were enjoyed by MANY members
and their friends. In most of these the
Ladies' Auxiliary served refreshments.
The ladies also purchased carpets, cur
tains and linoleums and in many little
things have made the oorns more attract
i've. They also secured the paper for the
new game ROOM.
The reading-roons nave had better sup
| ply of current literature than ever before.
In all, about 100 publications are on file.
The library was opened to the public I'M
der the new arrangement Jan. I, 1896, and
1920 books were issued; 4s6 readers
tickets were Issued; $40 volumes were
added, making a total at the end of the
year of 1884. Ths entire revenue de-
rived from sale of tickets fines and gifts
has been used to purchase books. The
library has been one of the membership
privileges and has been much used. Over
fifty men have been in the evening class
eS conducted by thu Association. The
best of teachers have been employed and
the best made of r,e limited facilities.
Six classes were 6nofniZed in November,
taking up commer,tst law. vocal music,
English, penmansfhasa book.keeping and
arithmetic. The classes have not been
as large as they shoaid be. This is no
tieed everywhere, an6 is supposed to come
from the unrest incident to the political
campaign. The classes have been free to
members of the Assslation, a deposit be-
Ing required, to be returned if three
fouTthS of the class sessions are attended.
A camera club havlig a dark room has
been organized with Irving Johnson as
president. The lecttce committee made
a phenomenal record this year. The I'm
ion Course, in connection with Penn Col
lege, each giving six entertainments, is
the largest ever undertaken in Iowa. 1t
is sufficient to say that the entire expense
of the course has been provided. The
paid up members of the Association were
given a halt rate on season tickets to the
Y. M. c. A. section. The attendance at
the lectures is far larger than any previ-
Gus year. There are four numbers of the
Y. M. C. A. section still to be given.
Practical talks free TO all men were given
by Col. Hammand and Prof. Windlo. A
more extensive work for bows was under
taken this vear tran eYes before. For
several mctIths special meetings were held
and a eompdnWof bows armed with wood
en- guns drilled enthusiastically for some
time. Lack of room tor work kept the
committee from continuing this particular
feature.
Some work In Bible study has been car
ried on in classes most of the year. Per
sonal study has been encouraged. More
Bible study is at present the greatest
need of the Association.
The mems meetings have not been so
we'll attended a In '95, considering the
entire year. In the meetings there have
been 81 inquiries, ~ have professed con-
version and ID are believed to have joined
some church. The average attendance
at 81 meetings was 90. There were 8
special meetings with a total attendance
OF IIo; 7 of these were in connection with
the week of prayer.
Five hundred and ninety.SeVen letters
were written by young men; 65 were di-
rected to boarding. houses, and employ
ment found for 50, quite a number of
young men being placed in good perma-
nent ~posid'nS; 2oI visits were made to
sick young men BY representatives of the
Association, and lowers furnished week.
ly by the Kembie Floral Co. have been
taken every Sunday. Reading matter
has also been sent to the sick, the poor,
and for distribution in the jailS and the
mining towns.
Three members of our Association were
called away in 1896. They were Ralph
Watkins, Fred Kinsey and Geo. Critics.
All were ready when the summons came.
In each case the 7. Nj c. A. committees
rendered assistance to the bereaved fami-
lies that was much appreciated.
In many ways the year 1896 was a
prosperous n The finance committee
has not forgotten to pray, and the end of
the year found every obligation paid and
all old indebtedness wiped out. This was
in part due to efficient aid of the member
ship committee through the contest of
last February. The Increased member
ship has also emphasized a nee dthat was
already apparent everywhere-the need
for more room. The demand for organ
lied physical work has been continuous,
and of course must for the time remain
unSuppiied.
There has been an increase In loyalty
to the Association on the part of the
members, and a better recognition of its
true place as an arm of the organized
church, reaching out after young men to
draw them to Christ and his church.
Still, along the line of this true Assoeia-
ton aim there is much room for improve
ment.