The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-04
FEATURES OF A
Y. NJ. {. A. BUILDING
DISCUSSED BY COL. II. NJ. BoIES
AT COLUMBUS CONVENTION.
Social Features of the Young Mems
Christian Association Deserve
Good Deal of Consideration-Mos
Dangerous Competitors Are the
Cherries Boarding Hous.s the
Club, the Saloon, Etc.--Some of the
Departments a Model Association
Building Should Contain.

Colonel II. NJ. Boies gave a valuable
paper last week before the convention
of the Young Mems Christian associ-
alton trustees and directors at Colum-
bus, o., on the subject Of the Young
Mems Christian Association OF the
Twentieth Century" II gave most
hopeful outlook for the future and
dwclt particularly on the opportunities
made by the war for the work of
young men. with regard to prospec-
tive conditions, Colonel Buies said:
The constantly Increasing central
ization of our population into cities,
where at the beginning of the new
century probably more than half the
young men of our country will be liv-
ing, exposed to the temptations ard
corruptions which increase by condensa-
tion without the restraints of home
and friends, has not only prodigiously
enlarged the scope and field and need
OF association work. but proportion
ately the number of available workers.
Our future associations should and
must have a much larger membership,
be stronger and more influential in
their respective localities, occupy
more, larger and better designed build
ings and conduct their work upon
comprehensive plans with enthusiastic
energy of youth. IL they are to dis
charge the duties of the coming CEN
tury. Never before has there been so
urgent a call for sacrificing con-
secrated effort by Christian young men
for the saving of young men on a grand
scale as now
OF GREAT INFLUENCE.
The character of our cities and their
inhabitants will be largely determined
by 1t, as well as that of the numerous
graduates from institutions of learning
who annually take their places among
the people as leaders Of thought and
opinion"
A significant note is struck in the
following thought:
The social environment indicates
cOnclusively that the Y. NJ. c. A. build
ing will of necessity be the material
and physical means of successful work
with young men in the future. 1t
must be wisely and carefully adapted
to the intelligent need of the twentieth
century young man, in complete har-
mony with the best features of the cul-
ture of the times; If not an appreciated
necessity at least palpable advantage
to him; offering more things which
he needs at a less cost and of bet
ter quality than he can find elsewhere
Our most dangerous competitors are
the cheerless boarding houses, the
club, the saloon, etc, and the tendency
of young men to associations for pleas
ure only which are Corrupting. Our
buildings must offer cheap and COM
Portable rooms of various sizes and
prices and q restaurant where we'll
cooked and healthy served meals can
he had at the lowest rates. 1t should
be young mems hotel for it's home
less members and large enough to ac-
commOdate all who need it in the To-
cality.
SOME OF THE FEATURES.
Good elevator service, pleasant
reading room and writing parlor and
room for the reception of visitors
and social recreation should be on each
floor. A general office, hall for meet
ings and enter ,ainments. a gymnasium,
swimming and other baths, a billiard
and smoking room, committee, class
and society rosms, for the young men
will have societies. literary debating,
musical, artistic. scientific, athletic and
others. Six, eight, ten twelve and six
teen story buildings will be found ne.
| cessary and a capable business mana
ger to run them without loss.
THE general secretary should de.
vote his time and thought to the relig-
ious intellectual and spiritual interests
| of the association. l would restrict
the privileges of the building to mem
| bers. A nucleus OF two hundred steady
ambitious young men of a community
residing in such a building would at
| tract many of those outside and il
| would become Il kind of a Christian
| settlement.
II wish to particularly emphasize
| the advantages of the billiard anC
| smoking room to which heretofore Sc
| many of our good friends have object
ed. The game of billiards is particu
| larly attractive TO the young men o.
| the present. 1t Is a game of skill anC
| science. There is and can be no imag'
! Unable objection to it in itself. The
! saloon keeper has long since availeC
| himself of the benefits of its attraction
until association with the saloon alone
I has given the color of bad name t.
| the game.
MUST MAKE THEM HAPPY,
Il have been a young man and en-
| iOyed billiards myself. We must make