The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-24

various games OF an innocent but en-
tertaining character. They form quite
an attraction to young men, many OF
whom would not seek admittance to our
building but for that feature. AT the
building OF our association then a young
man may find his social nature supplied
With It's needs in a wholesome and en-
joyuble manner. and though that be the
only attraction that draws him there, he
Is within the circle OF the associations
Influence. Does that pay? There can
be but one answer, unless you are look
Ing for dividends In cash and nothing
else. But II ls facts We have TO deal
with, things that are, and there Is a
vast throng " our young men who have
no homes TO stay In, only places. The
association steps in at this point, and
furnishes place OF attraction where a
young man may meet In social concourse
with other young men. and breathe the
pure air OF good surroundings and pleas
mt results. that would but for the as.
ISOLATION privileges and enterprises, be
spent Under influences and at places that
blenish the life. fNsqf
But We are only hnlf way UP the lad
der yet, there are stu two more rounds
TO ascend, and the next one we come 10
IL the Intellectual nature OF young men.
We do not compete with the college or
university, but we try 10 meet the real
needs OF young men whose educational
advantages have beenilmlted. We have
had evening classes In mechanical draw
Ing. arithmetic, bookkeeping. penman-
ship. stenography, German and history.
or such classes 10G sessions have been
held. In this connection We may men,
ton the nine lectures and entertainments
with an attendance Of $500. Also we
have n reading room supplied with cur
rent numbers OF daily and weekly papers
and magazines. both secular and reli-
glous. 1t Is resorted to at all hours OF
the day and In the evenings. The char
acter OF our literature Is wholesome and
standard. and the influence refining.
Here also is another lnstallment OF divl-
dends which are beyond the power OF
being expressed In cash terms.
So many illusions are made to sports,
games and social life and entertain
ment, that there Is risk of losing sight
OF the chief object OF our labor. Having
the one thing In aim and purpose, name
~ the retaining OF our young men To
the life OF Christ, this one thing we do,
and use other things only as they really
aid In the accomplishment OF the one re-
suit. That result now more directly APP
pears In our religious meeting for young
men held the year round. A Bible class
was In the very efficient charge Of the
Rev. ]. II. Littell, and the special evan
gellstic services held during our assocIa-
ton week Of prayer In the month OF No
veribcr were conducted with much ac-
ccptanre by the Rev. r. r. Bigger Dur
Ing the year, young mems meetings were
held every Sunday afternoon but one,
No better addresses have been heard In
our city than were delivered at these
meetings. Many young man has taken
the keynote OF his life. from the melody
OF the truths there unfolded. So OF the
Saturday evening meetings, only one
evening was missed throughout the year.
The boys also were not overlooked. OF
religious meetings there were held IT'S.
with an attendance of G,222 Fourteen
young men professed conversion. This
also is part OF the kind of dividends
which we seek to earn for those who
have put their money. interest, time and
prayers into our peculiar work for young
men. The church has better workers, or
workers 1t would not have at all but for
the efficiency Of the association. May.it
be burned Into your minds as in words of
spiritual fire, that no man represents the
spirit OF the association who Is d.sloyal
10 the church OF Jesus Christ. This
fact also goes to swell the dividends that
constitute the PECULIAR pay to our ap-
preciative and sacrificing friends whose
purse strings unloose for and whose sym
pathy sustains our labors. They are
satisfied It pays.
But all the foregoing is tie expression
Of those to whom has been committed the
responsibility OF this work In your city.
There are other sources OF testimony
however. from young men themselves
who have come In contact with the inilu-
ence and work Of the association. The
following expressions are taken from
letters received from young men and on
file at the association.
One writes: The association has been
OF inca!culable benefit 10 me. In the
first place II was one OF the Instruments
In bringing me TO Christ and has been
one OF the most helpful ones In keeping
me close to Him. l have been greatly
benefited by its physical training de-
partment: have made many pleasant and
valuable acQuaintances through the as
ISOLATION. In fact 1t has been so much
W IllG l SOu4u llOL Stll tlle IldlL IL.
Another writes: THE association Is
everything to me. enjoy its spiritual,
athletic and amusement features. Be-
sides 1t Is a good money investment. a
young man can easily save more money
by spending his evenings at the building
than his membership will cost him.
Says young physician: II cannot re-
frain from expressing myself In praise
NJ tI,h ugcnHio finn 9 n NJ
tai recreation have found the games OF
much benefit. The bath, coupled now
with the useful pool, Is certainly all that
may be required TO invigorate after bod
lily fatigue"
Still another writes: at Is with pleas
ure that testify TO the spiritual work
of the association. Through It's intlu-
ence was lead to Jesus Christ"
A book-keeper says: "The association
has helped me very much in physical,
intellectual, spiritual and social way.
My start in the spiritual life was made
at the association, and am very much
Indebted to {. for my success so far, as 4
business man."
This IS what another says: Permit
nh active member to say that during
The period OF my membership In the as
soc!aliUn' have gained n wider circle
OF acquaintance. received good phys
lcal and spiritual training and secured
knowledge through the evening
classes"
4 young busiucss man testifies:
"From the first day became member
OF the association 1t has been a pleas
ure ard benefit. My only regret is
that was not member years ago."
A young clerk writes: Il can say.for
the association that I round 1t outside
the home, one of the best places at
which n young man can spend his idle
moments free from temptation"
Another says: The reading room