The age-herald., 1900-08-30
A MORAL POLICE FORCE OF POWER
 AND A PLEA FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT

'The salvation of country lies in it's young men," said J. A. Riley, secretary of the Young Mems Christian Association, yesterday. "They are it's future statesmen, bankers. merchants. Particularly true Is it of republic, where each individual be- comes a prime factor in the general life and welfare of the nation. The individual trait becomes the national characteristic. With this truth in mind, there was organ ized in New York City, upwards of half century ago, by band of men-as famous for their philanthropy as for their wealth an institution designated as the Young Mems Christian Association It's specific purpose was, and still is, to administer to the physical moral, intellectual, social and spiritual welfare of young men. All these features were to be carried on and enjoyed without the restriction and drawbacks which, at that day more than the present, characterized the church In it's attitude towards the young men,
 "The old Roman said, "A sound mind can only thrive in sound body. As a prac- tical exemplifcation of this splendid truth, this new association emphasized physical work, realizing as well that this feature would appeal to every young man who then as now, either boasted his bodily condition or desired to improve it.
 Wise Founders
 '',rhe founders were right. The new organ ization grew and waXed strong in spirit and in few years had lost all trace of its
 local flavor and become national and in- ternational institution.
 "A history of the growth of the Young Mems Christian Association almost be- comes a history of the religious progress of Chrstendom.
 Statistics are dry reading Hence just reference will suffice There are today, throughout the world 6,192 seperate associa- tions in almost as many different cities and towns, with total membership Of 521 orr young men. The buildings owned by these associations foot up the total of $26,- 322 900.
 Great Moral Force "No one can gainsay that we have here one of the most wonderful instances or
 healthy vigorous growth anywhere to be foupd The denomina tional organizations,
 like the Christian Endeavor and the Ep-
 worth League are not analogous cases; for they own no buildings, pay no salaries, carry on no educational work, and are wholly religious concerns. The Young Mems Christian Association is undenomi- national and non-sectarian; is profess sional and aggressive enterprise, whose
 one specific purpose is the all round deveI-
 opment of young men.
 Half Million Young Men s1
 Now, to come down from general to
 more specific discussion, we are reminded
 that tine proof of the pudding is in s..e
 eating Men in nearly 60OO cities and towns support Young Mems Christian Association and roll up a membership of more than half million men. Who s'&u dare say that an association is q needless or useless, or superfluous or impossible
 organization in his own town? lr
 True there are athletic ass0ciaticn- where physical benefits may be had. Yes
 but moral and spiritual influences are made nothing of, and in some cases D,Nv be positively bad. True, there are eiuca- tional enterprises where business training may be procured. But here, we have no physical social nor other aayantaSss Certain 1t is that there are churches, beau tiful and influential where spiritual devel- opment is gotten under efficient pastoral charge There, too, the social side is made much of But there is neither physical nor educational side to the church, not to mention the fact that the young man-the hope of the nation, the tomorrow of our life, is outside the influence of the church altogether
 Prom whatever viewpoint you look at