The news & observer., 1897-01-24
The Y. N. c. A. WORK
Rsviews d by Secretary Overton
In His Annual Report.
a HOME FOR YOUNG MEN
ON 4 BETTER FINANCIAL FOOT
ING THAN EVER BEFORE.
ATTENDANCE ON TtiE INCREASE
The Work OF the Ladies' Auxiliary
Annual Meeting Last wight ard
the Election OF New
Directors.

the EfGCi0n OF itGW
Directors.
The annual meeting of the Y. NJ. G. "A.
was held at the rooms last night. After
reading of scripture and prayer, the gen.
eral secretary's report was read and the
following gentlemen We're elected to serve
on the board of directors: C. NJ. Busbee,
G. p. Wharton, w. j. Young, DIR. r. H.
Lewis. G. B. Hart, Roscoe Nunn, and
A. f. Bowen.
The full board of directors will meet
on Tuesday for organization.
Mr.. N. b. Broughton rendered his re-
signation which was received with re-
gret, and b. w. Spilman was elected to
serve the unexpired term.
In his annual report, the fourth OF the
association since the organization III
1892 Secretary Overton gives, IN a con-
else form, a brief account of the work
for the year ending Dee. 81, 1896.
at is a source of satisfaction TO me
at least" he says in this report, that
the work is receiving from the colnmun-
ity a better support, financially and otner-
wise, and as we look forward, we can Dut
wish that this work which is so CLOSELY
allied to all churches and which should
interest every family III this community
may have the heartiest sympathy sup
port and prayers of this people
1.-The great aim of the woork Is the
salvation of men and in all the so-caiieu
secular work we have not forgotten, OF
lost sight of the opportunity TO present
Jesus Christ as personal saviour. we
are working for young men, hence our
meetings for men on Sabbath afternoons
af which we have held Al with an attend
ance 1,244.
..It has been our desire to organize
Bible Training class for fitting the
members TO use the word OF God sue
eessfully. both in the ASSOCIATION and III
their church. and for a time we held sue
cessfully II such classes with an at
tendance of 64 Special services were
conducted for Railroad men at the Rai-
eigh and CASTOR Reading Room, and at
{; meetings 40 men were present
Before leaving the religious depart
ment of our work. may ! say there Is
room for better workout unless the work
ers bee0lne more earnest for the souls
of their fellows, we shall ever stand at
tlhe point where we now are. truly the
harvest is great but the laborers are few,
NAV God roll upon us the burden of men $
souls.
s.In an educational way we have un-
dartaken no special work, because OF the
Indifference on the part of the men them
selves.
.sIn the social work we have provided
f;ve nrIblic receptions, one concert, and
two practical talks, at which there has
been an attendance of 1863. Our inform-
al method of conducting these enjoyable
occasions OF music and song, has proven
one of the best things In bringing to US
help and good wishes for the work.
soThe physical department has been
perhaps the most fruitful of results, for 1T
has furnished clean place for good body
building, systematic work, and II more
Of the young men of our CITY would avail
themselves Of the privilege of intelligent
physical exercise, there would be fewer
dyspeptics and less indigestion roaming
unhappily through our streets.
.'In connection with the physical work,
there are three shower baths, supplied
with hot and cold water, which furnish
every means possible to keep man in
such a condition that life will not be a
burden to him.
.Open the pores of the body, wash off
the exudation. Take a good rub down
and you'll go out wiser and cleaner, II
not a better man.
Fifty-nine classes were conducted in
the gymnasium with an attendance of
626, and 5S baths have been indulged in.
1.-THE detail work of the Association is
as follows: % visits were made to men
who were reported sick; IL men Were
directed to boarding houses; 81 applica-
tons were made for assistance, of these
oS were assisted as best the secretary
could afford, there being no fund provided
for such work by the Association; writing
material was furnished free to II men
The secretary gave letters of introduction
to associa tions to 5 young men who Were
leaving Raleigh for other cities, thus Civ
ing them an advantage, as they would
90 to new field of labor; 2,S16 invita-
tions were distributed to religious meet
ings and socials.
s.The Ladies' Auxiliary met II times
with an attendance of 81. The Board
of Directors held III meetings, with an
attendance of S3. Ten committee meet
ings were held, with an average attend
ance of 55.
1.-The general secretary has attended
to the 457 letters received; has writer
3S2 letters and 303 postals end mimeo
graphed 4,600 letters. The successful sec
retary cannot spend his time sitting al
his desk and expecting the work to come
TO him; ne must be out and doing. Your
secretary's calls made for the year were
zoos.
"The Association supplies to the Sol
dier's Home about ten magazines weekly
which seem to be very much appreciated
thus affording the old soldiers some means
of entertainment.
"The attendance at the rooms has beer
on the increase, as well as on the de-
crease. Increase in the quantity and oi
some men and decrease OF the crowd that
used to make reading almost an impos