Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-04-21

in Association work. and their de mand of it that it bring forth muci fruit. That if start many young men in tie Christian life. "Fol bodily exercise profiteth for a littlo time, but Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the lift that now is and of that which is tc come.
 So while there k q great aud noble work for the ph9si.al department in the physical world. how much more important it's work in the spiritual world.
 It is in the physical department that the \. NJ. G. A, comes in con- tact with it's young men who most need Savior. It is sadly true that frequently the young men Of com- munity who arc most interested ill l their physical welfare; the young 1 men who are most anxious to have strong, graceful bodies, are not the moral and spiritual element. Tn fact the majority of the young men in gymnasium classes all over our country, are not identified with any religious organization except the Y. NJ. c. A.
 How important then that here they come Tn contact with spiritual influences, that in our rooms their thoughts may be turned to spiritual things, that here we do Mell th work that no other organization has an opportunity to do.
 How then shall we interest these young men who need . Savior in their own spiritual weliare2
 
 And whcn he learns to know the \. NJ. C. A, IS it really is, he will realize what it h8s been to him in tke physical aud social departments is only an earnest Of what it will be to him when he lets it mould his spirit as it has moulded his body and mind
 He will realize that the Associa- tion is greater than he Secretary. greater than the physical depart- ment, greater than he social depart ment, or the intellectual department or the spiritual department He will realize then what if means to mould spirit, mind and body.
 When he knows the '. N. (. A., as it rpa1ly is, he will realize that the young men who have been his associates and friends need the in- finences that may be found in the Y. NJ (. A., and the Association will have added another worker to it's roll, and whether he comes t0 us through direct personal effort or through the physical and social under the spiritual influence, it is only when he is q worker that the duty of the Association is done.
 When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead he came forth bound hand and foot with q napkin about his face, without the ability to work or talk. and then the command was given to those who witnessed the miracle, Loose him and let him go
 And so when a soul which was dead in trespasses and sin is isbrought by divine power into life in our Association, the command is to us loose him and let him go. And by opening his eyes to the great need for Il spiritual work among young men and giving him plan fordoing that work, we remove the bonds of prejudice and ignorance and doubt and fear and disinclination which have bound him hand and foot, and send him forth in the fui possession of his faculties with ability to work and speak, powerful instrument in the hand of God for accomplishing his holy purpoFe. Wese q him forth Il young man with the visality and energy and enthusiasiasm of youth consecrated to the Lord, at the age when he is vigorously sowing that which will be multiplied for him to reap in kind Paul says Il wrote unto you young men because ye are stroBg, and wfo can estimate the strength of a young man2' How strong he IS in body and mind. How strong in ambitious hope for the future. how strong in as urance of his own ability, strong in passion, strong in his love of the world, and strong in the love of it's pleasures that arc devillsh and degrading. How strong he may be in the streneth of the Lord when we have completed tue work the Lord has given Us to do and prepared the way for the Spirit to come in and dwell there