The morning news., 1899-01-17
ITS TWELFTH ANNIVERSlTY.
DIR. NOURsE ADDRESSED THE Y. NJ.
CA. ON ITS BIRTHDAY.

president OAAbGbtA AhAueA
Was Very Satisfactory and showed
Marked Progress-Address of DIR.
Nourse Was Heard with Interest.
The 18th anniversary, since its reorgani-
zation, Of the Young Mems Christian As
sociatlon was celebrated last night at the
Lutheran Church Of the Ascension. There
was a large audience, and the exercises
were of unusual interest
There were two features of the anni-
versary which those which have preceded
it were not fortunate in missing, and these
were the music of the regimental band
of the Thirty-hrst Michigan and the wit,
power and eloquenee of the distinguished
lecturer and preacher. Rev. DR.. Robert
Nourse Both the music and the address
were excellent, and there was not a min
ute during which the exercises dragged.
The interest Of the audience was sustain
ed and all expressed satisfaction that they
had attended.
The programme was made up Of selec-
tons rendered by the band, hymns, scrip
tural reading, prayer, the presidents re-
port and the address by DR.. Nourse.
There We're several ministers of the city,
together with Mr. II. NJ. johnson, secretary
of the association present and occupying
seats in the pulpit.
The hymns were announced by Rev DR.
w c. schaeffer pastor of the church
After the congregation had sung two or
three hymns selected for the evening. the
pastor OF Wesley Monumental Church,
Rev. Ed F. Cook, offered prayer. This
was followed by Scriptural reading by
Rev. Or. James D. Chapman, pastor Of
the Duffy Street Baptist Church.
The report of the president of The as
sociation, Mr.. c. NJ. Gilbert. was very
favorable, and showed what has been ac-
complished through the indefatigable zeal
and activity of those In charge of the
work. 1t was shown that there has been
great interest throughout the year, ana
the report, in its exposition of progress.
spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and
financial. was received by the young men
and their friends with great satisfaction.
The president took up the line of work
that Is followed by the Y NJ c. A. and
treated Independently each of the branch
es that have been named The attendance
upon the afternoon services averaged fifty
two this being an increase over that
which was had the year before. The graf
flying results of the series OF meetings
that We're held during the year were given,
particular mention being made OF the serv-
ices that were conducted by Rev. Mr..
Cafes. Something was also told of the sue
cess that has attended the Bible classes for
young men that were carried on, these
having been conducted by Rev. John D.
Jordan, Arthur j. Smith, o. F. Cook and
the secretary The president, in summing
up the portion of his report devoted TO the
spiritual branch of the work, said: THE
religious work of our association has been
an influence for good in upbuilding and de-
velopng young men in Christian life. Many
young men have requested prayer and four
united with the church"
Under the discussion of what has been
done for the intellectual advancement of
the members of the associa ton, the presi-
dent said the reading room has been kept
wen supplied and that the educational
classes, which were begun the year be-
fore, Were continued with the same degree
of success. Evening classes were held in
the following branches: Bookkeeping, av-
erage attendance, u; mechanical and free
hand drawing, average attendance Z; Eng
lish, embracing grammar spelling. com
position, and practical corresp spondence. av-
erage attendance, T. Under the same sec
tion came the report of the lectures and
entertainments that were given under the
auspices of the Y. nj. c.. A. during the
year, and 1t was stated that these had been
well patronized and had proven a source
of profit to the association.
Mr., Gilbert told of the, success with
which the gymnasium was run, and the
many who had taken advantage OF It's on-
portunities for physical development.
report was made the number of bali games
played, bicycle runs by the association
club, gymnastie exhibitions given and the
attendance during the day at the gym
II was also shown that the members of
the association have not ignored the Bibli-
cal commendation of cleanliness. for the
report indicated that there were 7,1S9 baths
taken during the year, this having been an
average of twenty-three daily.
The methods of social entertainment
were explained, and a resume was given
of the receptions and other events that
help TO make the association so attractive
to Its members
1t was shown that there were ninety
seven new members received while onlv
thirty-six resigned. Thirty-five of the
members. however, left the city during the
year. The daily average of the attend
ance at the rooms was ll3
In his financial statement, the president
said: THE membership dues of the voung
men pay for about half of the running ex-
penses of the association, while the bal
ance is provided by contributions from
friends of the work, who recognize the i'm
portance of the work being carried on in
this city for young men" The receipts
from all sources, as indicated in the treas
urer's report, were $S,767.60, while the dis
bursements were 49, 1856, leaving a bal
ance, after all the expenses had been paid
of 1896. In addition, the association was
able to devote a part of its receipts to
the payment of portion of the debt that
stands on its property.
The president concluded his report NV
thanking many of those who have aided
the association during the year, speaking
particularly Of the ladies' auxiliary,
DIR. Nourse talked on Y. NJ. c. A. work
II was evident, from his opening remarks
that his address on why / Am Not an
1nfidel," delivered Sunday afternoon at Tho
Y. M. c. A. Hall, had struck those for
whom il was probably intended for The
lecturer said he had been receiving anonv-
NOUS communications all during the dav
which, as he always made his practice
he had ignored. He said he did not think
a man was worth noticing who did not
have courage enough to sign his name
There was one, however, who had given