The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-08-19
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Work of the Young Mems
Christian Association.
Secretary Martin and Other Officers
Make Statements of the Past
Years Work.


citation held it's seventh anniversary
meeting Sunday afternoon at the M.
E church. The report Of the years
work were presented, as follows:
From Secretary Martins report the
seven years of the associations history
naturally divides with two periods.
The first four years, during which
the income of the association grew
gradually smaller each year, during
which we did not interest many young
men in the association, and which
were discouraging years. These have
been followed by three years during
which the income has been consider
ably increased; the number Of young
men interested in the association
greatly increased; the rooms, especial
ly during the past winter, have been
crowded, and the feeling of discourage
ment have given way to very differ
ent feeling. The causes in both cases
are easy to see. The panic coming on
before we had any constituency
cut down the income of the associa-
tion considerably. But the chief
reason why we did not get money was
because we were not getting young
men, and the reason we were not in
teresting the young men was because
we did not have much of anything
that they wanted. The turn taken
in the life of the association dates
from the putting in of the bath room.
This was the first thing we put in
that the young men really wanted.
That they were wanted is proved by
the fact that not single day has
passed Sunday excepted) since the
baths were opened that they have not
been used, and by the further fact
about $500 baths have been taken
each year. The bath rooms have
been followed by the educational
work. Increased reading matter and
more games, all these have contribut-
ed their part in meeting the needs of
young men, and have turned the
young men from speaking slightingly
of the association to being enthusi-
astic in it's favor.
There are two questions which
those who give money to support the
association wish to have assured:
First Does the association actual
ly interest the young men?
Second. Does it interest all classes
or only few of certain class?
To answer the first question l have
taken as basis of calculation 800
men who have actually used the
privileges of the association during
the two years past. OF this number,
81 were between the ages Of Is and 20,
236 between 20 and 30. and 81 above
30. OF the tifty-seven, fifteen were
above IS. The answer from these
figures is 375 were under IS, fifteen
over IS. To answer the second ques-
tion I have taken 439 different men
covering little longer period.
Analysed this list shows that 43 were
professional men, 60 were in stores, 25
were common laborers. 81 mechanics,
62 were Office men, II were statesmen,
164 students, and % unclassified. The
men IN our educational classes repre-
sented more than twenty different &C.
equations. This answers the second
question.
The association has not only in
creased in numbers and in it's support,
maintaining itself under increased ex-
penses and paying off the debt which
accumulated during the first 4 years.
IL has increased in this number of
lines of work promoted in the efficien-
cy Of the work and largely In the
number Of volunteer workers. Last
year we had twice as many workers
as the year before. 1t would be un-
fair to say that this associationdid not
grow at all during the first four years.
1t grew slowly, in the number and
efficiency of it's workers, but without
the equipment necessary to meet the
needs of the young men and in fact
of the general disbursement
their faithfulness in even standing
by the work ought to be commended.
The reports show an encouraging
condition, almost too encouraging for
so many young men have been coming
to the rooms that we are getting worn
outraged and threadbare in some
places, and there are lots of things
we will need to make the rooms ready
for mother seasons work. But have
no doubt that the friends of the asso.
citation will see that we have what is
needed. Now with debts paid, an
enthusiastic membership and good
times coming the outlook for the
coming year is exceptionally favor.
able.
TREAsURER'S REPORT,
@. Z. Holmes reported:
Regular and student members. ......S $40. 25
subscriptions. .............. $50. 1853 %
Rentals. $50