The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-14

1877, when there were 26 associations with
l,5W members. In 1895 this had increased
TO il5 associations, with $1,000 members in
the United States and Canada, 900 assoeia-
tons with 80 900 members in the world.
Last year 1t is estimated there We're 1000
associations with 5000 members in the
world. Wherever you go in the world as
students" said DR.. Potter, you will find
the Y. M. G. A. 1t is remarkable and en-
cOuraglnS sign that the association which
represents Christian brotherhood has gath
cred more strength than any other student
organization" Dr Potter spoke of details
OF the organization and steps that are taken
for its pePpetuity. There are publications
made OF thirty TO forty pamphlets describ-
ing the movement, in addition to which
much space is given in the regular Y. NJ.
&. A. periodicals. to college work. Not the
least important in preserving the move
ment, DIR. Potter said, are the various an
! ual conferences that are held. These con-
ferences stimulate the students and train
them in the work. The Y. NJ. c. A. in the
colleges, he said, has worked transforma-
lions. Fully 30 per cent. of the places of
great trust and responsibility are held to-
day by college graduates" said DR.. Potter,
and the others are largely Influenced by
them. They are the men who are running
this world. If it is to be run upward, in
stead of downward, the college men must
be Christians. The movement has stimu-
lated the study of the Bible in the educa-
uonal institutions. There are certain secu-
lar schools under the fostering care of the
State where the teaching of religion has
been, wisely perhaps, excluded. In such
schools the association has given the only
real religious life to the students which they
have" He spoke of the work that is being
done in the professional schools. There is
no reason why young man studying law
or medicine should not be just as good a
Christian as he was before he entered the
schools, said he. He spoke of the work
that has been accomplished by the college
associations. During its existence 10000
students have been converted, 1900 entered
the ministry and large numbers went into
the missionary fields, either as ministers or
physicians The college, he said, is not
bad place, not a dangerous place for the
and i- aInG md to 41,.af in.
situations that have for their purpose the
advancement and elevation of the students
morally and intellectually could exert an
evil influence. THE idea. that the college
is a dangerous place and that it's life tends
to bad influence is false. Next to the home
the college is one of the safest and best
places. l have known some students to go
TO the bad, but it has been my observation
that they were going to the bad before
himself his own master for the first time
when he enters college, away from home
own inclinations. If the bad is in him it
will come out. If he has that sort of a
bent; he may go to the bad. The purpose
of the association is to take susceptible
young men and help them and exert good
influence over them"
Dr. w: Y. Morgan, of the Central College,
spoke OF the Y. M. G. A. work in the pro-
fessional schools, directing his remarks
more particularly to the work in medical
colleges, saving that of the tifty-three as
Sociations in professional schools thirty
seven were in medical schools. I'VE are
coming to the time said he, when it can
not be flung at us that doctors are all ag
nostics or atheists. The work in colleges
has grown so large in Chicago, Boston, New
York and Philadelphia that it has been
found necessary to have permanent inter-
collegiate secretary to devote his entire
time to this work. A few years ago we
could not have aroused interest among pro-
fessional men, and if any one had said that
prayer meetings would be held in medical
colleges it would have been regarded as
impossible" He spoke of the great influ
medical he
ginning at the cradle and lasting to the
grave. He declared that it was important
that there should be religious bent to the
physicians influence.
Professor Forrest of Butler University,
and Secretary Helm, of the college Y. NJ.
G. A. movement also spoke the same
lines, Professor Forrest dwelling on the
thought that the average student is liable
to be neglectful of his religious growth
he cultivates his mind and is in danger of
outgrowing his faith. Religious culture and
education he regarded as necessary along
with intellectual culture. Secretary Helm
spoke of the Importance of prayer in the
development of the work