The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1900-06-09
YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION.

The following is an address de-
livered by Ex- Eckels.
Its publication in The Gazette at
this time Is appropriate as a move
is on foot to organize Y. M. G.
A. here. 1t was delivered by Mr..
Eckels upon his election to the !
presidency of the Chicago Asso-
ciation:
1 trust the guests of the evening
will pardon me if l consume more
time in my introductory words than
properly belongs to, one who pre-
sides upon such an occasion. MY
excuse for doing SO rests in the wish
to express IN a public way my sin
cere appreciation of the. gracious
act of the Young Mems Christian
Association of this city in confer
ring upon me it's presidency, and to
give voice to some thoughts which
hope may in a measure at least
add to its strength and efficiency as
a power for good i, this community.
The compliment is the more
highly priced because l am called
to an office which throughout the
many years since the organization
Of the Association has enlisted the
service Of men of marked ability,
high Christian character, and signal
fidelity to the duties attaching to
the position. These men all can
survey the work they have accom-
plished with full degree of salts
faction and rest content in knOwl-
edge OF the good which they have
performed in their relations with
their fellows. They have left to
me the easier task Of taking up the
work at point where complete and
perfect organization exists, where
definite ends to be attained have
been determined upon and the
broader lines of what the Associa-
| ton must really stand for laid down.
POSITION IN THE WORLDS AFFAIRS.
Within a period of but little more
| than half a century the Young Mems
Christian Association as such has
gained for itself a position m the
| worlds affairs in many respects be-
| yond that of any one or of all dis
| tinctive church organizations. The
| citizen whose view is that of super
fetal inquirer now readily acknowl-
| edges it as an agency for good.
while the thoughtful investigator of
its aims, its endeavors and its &C
| complished results can well insist
that it easily ranks first among the
many societies formed for the bet
terment of young men. Its spirit
uality finds expression in Chris
tisnity that is hemmed in by neither
creeds. 1t has regard for the essen
|
all it draws a willing support, and
to all it renders with equal cheer,
aid and comfort.
Its announced great principle is
ssthe salvation of young men," and
1 can imagine nothing that can
more appeal to the people of the
great city of Chicago than such a
platform. The well-being of the
city, state and nation rests in the
Accomplishment of the object of its
existence, for only in ''the salvation
of young men" from the evils which
tempt them and the strengthening
of them in the higher attributes OF
character can they attain to citi.
zenship which is mindful that public
good is based upon private virtue.
THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE CHURCH
| AND HOME.
| This Association is the necessary
complement of the home and church
in the work to be done to make
young men what they ought to be
as factors in the larger duties which
come as they enter upon fuller
manhood. In no sense does it try
to, or should it, supplant the wei
directed teachings of godly home
or godly church. 1t but make:
more efficient the earlier precepts o.
both to those who have been for
tunate enough to enjoy them, ano
grants to those ignorant of such
blessings a protecting care which
must mean in their lives the differ
ence between failure and success
bad citizenship and good. The eff
forts put forth in its behalf and the
support rendered it ought not to be
confined to the few, but the work i
does and the comprehensive view i
takes Of the needs of young mer
warrant the many in giving LIBERAL,
OF time and money to make Still
wider the territory Of Its occupancy
and the sphere Of its influence.
,. 1t does not restrict the work O.
!, aiding young men to a spirntua
sense only, but, mindful tina
healthy lives, careful habits, prope