The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-26
Y. VI. c. A. CONVENTION.
Work In the Army and Navy During
the Past Ncar.

work In the Army and Navy During
the Past Ycnr.
% Grand Rapids. Mich. May 95-The
thirty-third biennial Young Mems Chris
tian Association International convention
was opened today with over 500 delegates
present. The afternoon session was de-
voted to the usual organization features
and the presentation Of reports. followed
by a quiet hour Of devotional exercises,
led by Rev. william A, Guerry Of sewanee,
Tenn, chaplain Of the University of the
South.
The international committee presented
its report, which contained the following:
OF the 1929 associations in existence 1S4l
sent in reports, which showed an aggregate
membership OF 22S,5GS and an active mem
hership OF l0s,5S2; SH own buildings
valued at $19,S47, $50, and ninety-tNo own
other real estate valued at $l,270550. De
Quoting debts the net value of buildings
and real estate is $l6363, 316. The total
net value OF all property is $l9, 347,272 The
cash paid out for current expenses was
S2,463,77s. The average daily attendance
at gymnasiums athlethic games etc. was
1873, and $50, 400 volumes were drawn
from the libraries. The attendance at
Bible class lessons was 356. 227 and a total
attendance at young mems meetings OF
253s,504
Little apparent progress OF the assoeia-
ton has been made as a whole during the
past two years, In some items the figures
are smaller than those of two years ago.
but not in any case very much smaller.
a larger decrease might have been eX-
peeted as result OF the hard times so
long prevalent The associations have GER
tainly exhibited remarkable staying power
when their voluntary character and chang
ing membership are taken into account.
On the other hand, there are Indications
OF the continuance of that growth and de-
velopment in individual associations which
has been the most marked feature of pro-
gress for a decade or more, such as the
Increase in the number OF buildings from
$50 in 1897 TO 344 In 1899, aad total val
uatton Of buildings from nearly eighteen
to nearly twenty millions dollars.
In the railroad stuien, ana colored de-
partments there has been ier,dod growth.
But tho most signal feature OF progress
and the most remarkable evidence OF the
vital force OF the association movement
has been the work accomplished during
1aVS In the army and navy. This work.
under the name OF the Army and Navy
Christian Commission of the International
Committee. extended helpful influence
20 over 100000 soldiers and sailors, be-
lbs q ldFsSr NUMBER OF young men out
side Of the membership Of the. association
than the aggregate membership, active and
associate. Of the whole brotherhood
When this remarkable ministry to young
men is taken into account, II may .ba
assorted confidently that within no two
years have the American associations ex-
erted SO wide and blessed an influence
among young men on this continent rs
during the period since the Mobile con-
vention.
In connection with the army and navy
work In the islands, which have come I'M
der the care and jurisdiction OF the United
States. special call has been made upon
The committee for association work among
the English speaking and native young
men OF these islands.
The Athletic league has continued its
Efforts. Special and needed emphasis has
bson laid, not upon the increase of com
petitiye gains 10 athletics. but upon pro-
motion where they are deserved by thel