The record-union., 1899-05-26
Meet In International Conference at Grand
Rapids, Michigan.
The International Committee Sub
mits a Report, Showing an Ag-
gregate Membership OF over
Two Hundred and Twenty
Eight Thousand.

The city is We'll filled with the deleSdteS
to the International Conference OF the
Y. M c.. A. which opened this after
noon. Special interest is shown In the
display of work of the association for
the army and navy. Secretary Miller
of that department reports buildings
opened in Porto Rico and Cuba and
large number of conversions as re-
suit of the work in the army. plan
proposed as to the continuance of the
work in the navy looks to the estab-
lishment of one naval association, of
which all the associations Will be
branches. There are at present eighty
vessels in the navy, of which only a
dozen have chaplains. 1t is proposed
10 form small associations on all ves-
sells of the navy, also association build
ings at navy yards. 1t is expected that
this branch of the work will receive
considerable attention from the con-
ference.
The International Committee pre-
sented its report, which contained the
following:
''Of the ,429 associations in exist
ence, 1,341 sent in reports which showed
an aggregate membership of 22S,o6S,
and an active membership of 10S, ,532;;
S36 and 81 own other real estate valued
at 81, ,270, 800.
Deducting debts, the net value of
buildings and real estate is 1863, ,315.
The total net value of all property is
SIS, ,347 ,272. The cash paid out for cur
rent excuses was 81, ,453. .7TS The aver
age daily attendance at gymnasiums.
athletic games, etc, was 1873, and
S332,4 ,42O volumes were drawn from the
library.
The attendance at Bible class ses-
sions was 356,227 and a total attend
ance at Young Mems meetings of D.
53S. .504
Little apparent progress of the as
sociation had 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. large decrease
might have been expected as a result
OF the hard times SO long prevalent
In the railroad, student and colored
departments there has been a decided
growth.
But the most signal feature of pro-
gress and the most remarkable evidence
of the vital force of the association
movement has been the work accom-
plished during the year 1898 in the
army and navy. This work, done under
the name of the Army and Navy Chris
tian Commission of the International
Committee. extended helping infiu-
ence to over 100000 soldiers and sailors
When this remarkable ministry to
young men is taken into account it
may be asserted confidently that with
IN no two years have the Americans
exerted SO wide and blessed an infiu-
ence among young men ON this conti-
nent during the period since the
Mobile convention.
In connection with the army and
navy work in the islands which come
under the care and jurisdiction of the
United States, special call has been
made upon the committee for associa-
ton work among the English speaking
and native men of these islands
The Athletic League has continued
its efforts. Special and needed empha-
sis has been laid not upon the increase
of competitive gain in athletics, but
upon promotion where they are desired
by the association in straightforward
honest way. Eigihty-seven associations
are members of the league
The growth of work in the educa-
tlonal department is on the whole en-
couraging.
Signal progress has been realized in
the railroad department Extension, es-
pecially west of the Mississippi along
the various trunk lines, has been hap
PLY prosecuted
Growth in the work among the COL
ored and Indian young men is neces-
sarily slow, but is real and encourag-
ing.
The financial condition and outlook
of the work calls for the most careful
attention of the convention. There is
great need for an extension of the con-
stituency of givers to the international
work and urgency for cooperation in
this indispensable effort. The commit
tee is embarrassed, owing to the fact
that while it must administer a work
OF growing magnitude and complexity.
II must at the same time engage in a
severe struggle for existence. so far as
financial support is concerned The
division of effort by the committee and
its employed officers between the ad-
ministration of the work and the secur-
ing of its financial support is an ever
recurring problem awakening solicitude
and not as yet receiving a satisfactory