Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1897-12-01
The Y. M. c. A. Convention at Claremont,

During the year, usually in the winter
months, the Y. M G.. A. district commit
tee composed of men from Keene, Brattle-
boro and Bellows Falls hold one or two
conventions in different parts of the dis
trict. Last year it was held at Charles
town and it resulted in not only strengthen
ing the home associations but prepared the
way for one there when the way shall be
clear.
This year Claremont was decided on as
the first place to hold convention. For a
long time the need of such an organization
has been felt there and those who saw and
felt the need thought that if little more
enthusiasm could be stirred up start
might be made.
The District Committee has been at
work arranging for the speakers Tor some
time and those interested at Claremont
provided accommodations for the delegates
The convention was well advertised and
commenced November 81 at 2 P NJ. in the
chapel of the Congregational church.
The delegates had by this time nearly
all arrived, including, besides those already
mentioned,a party OF four from Dartmouth,
another of eight from Vermont Academy
and two men from Kimball Union Acad-
envy.
The quiet "Half Hour" was led by LIB.
Hardy, general secretary from Brattleboro,
and was very interesting and inspiring
service Not moment was lost and it
was fitting beginning for the convention.
This was followed by Rev. E T. Blake
OF Charestown, N H on 1.-The Necessity
of Special Work Among Young Men"
This mo m III roco ~, tho oopJ;t;o, ooJ
needs of young men today and the benefits
of the work. He was followed by j. H.
Thomas of Claremont, who reported on
sour Young Mems Band of Christian
Workers" The 'Band" has increased
from membership of % to about 40 in a
year. Meetings are held in the different
churches in town with an excellent attend
ance and interest. Although these young
men are laboring under disadvantages they
are steadily increasing in strength and will
surely have Y. M. c. A. in the end.
They have grasped the grand thought of
'Work tor young men by young men, "and
with their present determination and Gods
help nothing can stop their doing grand
work
Dartmouth, Vermont Academy and Kim
ball Union next brought 15-minute reports
of the Y NJ G. A. work in their respec-
tive schools. The Dartmouth association
has building of its own and well organ
lied work with 200 members.
V. A. had report that showed it was
alive and doing thorough work with the
right spirit.
Kimball Union, although it has no organ
lied Y. M C. A is doing good Christian
work among the students.
j. Arthur Teller of Vermont Academy,
Saxtons River, Vt, gave logical talk on
50 The Special Need of Educated Young
Men being Christian Young Men,"
This session closed with general dis
cussion OF the problems before Associa-
tons.
At o'clock we reassembled and enjoyed
Is minute praise service, when the differ
ent phases of Association work were taken
up by different speakers.
General Secretary Hardy on Spiritual
Work" emphasized the fact that though the
other parts were great factors in the work
they should be only means to an end and
this the turning OF men to Christ as a per-
sonal Saviour.
L. S. Hayes of Bellows Falls explained
the Intellectual Work in its different
departments of evening schools, long
feature of the Y. M. C. A., the day
schools, just established in some of our
larger cities, the weekly talks on some
Interesting subject, and the reading room.
The g Physical Work" was taken up by
General Secretary Maylott of Keene and
George H. Giffin OF Keene spoke on Our
Responsibility to Young Men"
Sunday morning the delegates held devo-
tional exercises led by Edward G. Osgood
of Bellows Falls, and atterward the pulpits
of the Baptist, Congregational and Metho-
dist churches were occupied by Y. M. c..
A. workers.
In the afternoon and evening the meet
ings were held in the town hall.
At o'clock Granville Wardwell of
Keene, N. H.. spoke on The Business
Man in the Association
General Secretary Hill of Manchester
being unable to be present, Prof. Winch
of the same city took his place. He gave
fine address, citing salient statistics as
regards the work that is before the Y. NJ
c. A and the great need of the work.
George Fiizsimmons. general secretary of
the Bellows Falls Association, closed the