Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1900-07-14

States and England alone valued at
over $4,000. 900. and TO see among its
standard bearers men whose names
arc synonyms for greatness and
power.
The story OF Sir George Williams
10 that OF 4 man who once forgot self
and never remembered II again-who
has made a success Of life A little
English village nrst knew him as the
son Of a poor farmer In another
back-number town. Bridgewater. he
was apprenticed to a draper-a dry
goods dealer. as we say In America
at an early age While still a yung
man he entered the employ of Hitch
cock 4 Rodgers. London Diapers
Like almost everyone destined to
make his way in business. there was
evidently such an amount OF orgenix-
ioG ability stored up In his youth Of
20 that II had TO find an outlet some
how. So he conceived the Idea that
reading, recreation and religion might
be combined to make a society that
would be OF use to some OF the thou
sands OF lonely young men who had
left country homes and were earning
q living In London and trying to keep
themselves out OF the DEVILS clutches.
He found II other young men who
fell In with the scheme. obtained per-
mission from his employer TO hold a
meeting in the now historic spare
room over The store, and after two
sessions started society which they
decided to call the Young Mems Chris
tian Association.
After much elaboration over ways
and means-ior money was scarce
they raised between them fund of
go cents week, rented a room In a
hotel that used to stand near Black
friars Bridge. and began to meet there
regularly. One day young williams
employer. Mr.. Hitchcock. heard OF the
peculiar doings OF the club, and decid-
ed that he would 60 and see what II
was all about. He doubtless made the
decision lightly enough. but It proved
to be OF vast consequences to him and
to the young men, for he was 90 deep
~ touched by the simplicity and earn
estness of their meeting that he an
nouncsd himself A. . Convert" then
and there. He did more than pro-
fess. however: he went out among the
men OF wealth and prominence that
he knew and told them Of the little
club and what Its members aimed TO
do. and got money from them. a lot
OF money, enough to make the Young
Mems Christian Association A thing
70 be reckoned with. Larger rooms
were taken In Fleet street, and the
organization began to grow fast and
throw out branches. gradually extend
ing all over England. Tho first
branch on this side OF the Atlantic
was In Montreal but soon there was
another one in Boston. New York fol-
lowed suit, and America had adopted
the plan OF the London clerk. Then
the world did.
While interested In the affairs of
the new organization Williams did not
forget that he had his way 10 make
In the world and be applied himself
to his business with such energy that
he was taken into partnership in the
nrm.
He was created knight by the
queen In 1894 That was the iubllee
year OF the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION founded in 1s44-and
great convention was held In Lon
don to celebrate It, In which the ven
cradle founder was the central figure
To that convention from all over tho
world went 1000 delegates. speaking
II different languages.
Sir George Williams Is ono Of tbs
most charitable men in the world ana
never Grows tired Of giving to sood
purposes. He would be immenaelx
wealthy were his charities not an
grsat. When he WAS earning s75o =
Fsar he gave $3.50 Of this sum annua,,v
% the support Of the Y. M. G. A.. ana
Ills generous spirit has been h,s since