St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-04-25
Y. M. c. A. rATTERS.
Il wa ~ A' iAA ENo'
An Earnest Appeal to our Citizens.

EDITOR CALIFORNIAN:
Last September it became necessary
for the directors of the Y. M. c. A. to
close the doors of the institution until a
reasonable prospect should appear, that
sufficient support to meet all the ex-
penses of the Association could be Sc.
cured. The difficulties in the way of the
continuance of the work have been to a
considerable degree removed.
The board of directors has been re-or-
gained, and new men have been found
willing to share the burdens and response
bilities of the work with those who have
done so in the past. Rev. G. W, Hunt
has consented to accept the presidency
of the association. We desire to see the
Association again at work, but it must
be on a self.supporting basis. Two pro-
positions we therefore submit to the peo-
pie OF st. Johnsbury.
The first proposition involves the i'm
mediate opening of the Association
rooms in charge of a suitable person.
This will open to the public the reading
room, the game room, and the parlor,
and make possible work on social lines
during the Summer months. To keep
the rooms open on this plan for the next
five months will involve an expense of
about $500. This, however, is to be
considered only as preliminary to a per-
manent establishing of the Association
and the reorganization of the different
departments on regular Association
lines.
Our second proposition is the employ
ment of a competent general secretary in
the fall of the year to take up the work
of a thorough organization. We are not
able to now give an estimate of the prob
able expense of running the Association
under this second plan.
We believe that opening the rooms for
the first five months according to the
first proposition will open the way to
perfect plans for the raising of sufficient
funds for the permanent establishment of
the Association.
We therefore appeal to all the people OF
the town for help, first, in subscription
toward the first $500, that we may i'm.
mediately open the doors of the institu-
ton. No subscription is to be payable
until the whole amount is secured, and
then one-half payable by May 20, and
the balance July 20.
And we also ask you to help us with
subscription toward the amount needed
to put the association on permanent
footing, under competent general sec
rotary. No subscription payable unless
sufficient amount shall be subscribed to
meet the probable expenses of the Asso-
cation tor one year. And when that is
assured the subscription to be payable
quarterly in advance. the first payment
to be made Oct. 1, 1900.
We wish to announce to the public
that the Association property has been
decided, without reservation to the Y. M.
{. A., by its original owner, Prof. Henry
Fair banks.
Below is his letter to A. H. Barbour the
former president of the Association.
my Dear Mr.. Barbour:
l hereby confirm what I said to you
and the gentlemen with you astevening.
that shall be very glad to convey to the |
international Committee OF Young Mems
Christian Association any and all rights
that have legally under the reversion.
airy clause in the deed by which the Y.
M. c. A. Building upon Eastern Avenue
was conveyed by nae.
That clause was inserted by the advice
of men upon whose experience REALIZED
as safeguard to the Association and
its property, and would much prefer
an arrangement by which l could not
even appear to have any personal inter
est in the building, other than as the
Association interests me.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Henry Fairbanks"
We now, through the courtesy of the
press, present to you the citizens of St.
Johnsbury our plans and await your de.
cision. Do you desire the re.establish-
ment of the Association? Shall the
many young men residing in our village,
without ordinary home privileges be |
compelled to spend their evenings in
questionable places of resort for the lack
OF something better being provided for
them?
Will you aid US in the re. opening of the
Association rooms by your subscriptions,
and thus say to other communities that
st. Johnsbury is determined to have a
model Young Mems Christian Aassocia-
ton? If you will, do not wait for a
more personal appeal, but send yoursub
scrlptlons Immediately to Rev. Geo. w.
Hunt. Any one subscribing two dallars
or more shall be entitled to the privileges
OF the association for one year.
Per order OF the Board OF Directors.
Geo. W. Hunt,
- w: oteele, President.
Secretary.
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