The age-herald., 1899-06-09
Y. M. C. A. WORK IN BIRMINGHAM Organization Was Founded Eff
 teen Years Ago, IN FLOURISHING CONDITION This Evening Reception Will be Ten
 dered to It's New Members Fifty-fve Were Enrolled Last Month.
IN FLOURISHING CONDITION

The Young Mems Christian Association will give a social and reception to it's new members this evening in their commodious apartments on Nineteenth street. select programme of music and recitations will be rendered, after which refreshments of various sorts will be served. Handsome invitation cards have been issued, and it is proposed to make the event a notable one in the history of the organization. Fifty five new members entered the association during the last month and it is in their honor that the elaborate arrangements for their entertainment are being made.
 Organized in 1884
 In the spring and early summer months of 1884 a great deal of agitation was going on in regard to the organization of a Young Mems Christian Association. In August of that year the movement as- sumed tangible shape and an association was formed with fourteen charter mem- bers, w. w. Barclay being elected as their first secretary. The first meeting place was in the apartments above J. B. Roden's book store
 Splendid Progress Made
 The movement proved very popular, the membership increased and the organiza tion soon found itself on a safe financial footing. When the First Methodist church erected a new temple of worship the old church was leased by the associa- ton and transformed into an ideal home for young men. The lower floor is being used partly as lecture hall and partly as a free reading room. The upper floor has been transformed into one of the finest and most complete gymnasiums to be found in the south Under the manage ment of the physical director, T. s. Grif- filth, the classes in the gymnasium work have been brought to the highest degree of efficiency.
 Present Status of Work
 It is gratifying to learn that the asso- citation at present has five hundred and fifteen members and is in a very flourish ing condition. Too much praise can not be given to the present secretary, James Vim cent for his successful conduct of the as- socations affairs. His able assistant, J. A. Riley, is also contributing very materi- ally toward the enlargement of the work. Besides the regular religious exercises a night school is being conducted where all
  fording many of those an opportunity to increase their knowledge who are obliged to labor for living in the day time, and therefore do not receive privileges which others possess. The library of the asso- citation contains about four hundred vol- umes, which are open for reference to any one who chooses to make use of them.
 New Building Needed
 It is intended to conduct the affairs of the organization in such a manner that a building can be erected, which will be the property of the association. While the present building is commodius enough, it is neither attractive nor very substantial, and the men at the head of the associa- ton give it as their opinion that in a city the size of Birmingham the Young Mems Christian Association ought to have a home of their own. As soon as the fin- ances will permit of it. the work of erect ing a. Y. NJ. .. A. bull ling will be com- menced.
 Ladies' Auxiliary
 Some time ago number of Birmingham women organized ladies' auxiliary to the Y. M. c. A. The organization at present numbers about fifty members, Mrs. P. s. Munger being the president.
 The ladies intend to give a grand harvest festival some time in the fall.
 great deal of quiet planning is being done towards the complete success of the undertaking.
 The ladies' auxiliary has been very help fr' t. tn, assoelation, and too much com mendation can be given them for their earnest Christian work rendered.
 PRESENTER