The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-06-15
INTERNATIONAL JUBILEE
The Young Mems Christian Associ-
alton Jubilee is Under Full
Swing at Boston.
REVIEWING HALF A CENTURY OF WORK.
Addresses Delivered by Judge Sell
Herbert II. Ames. of Montreal
Facts Elicit From the Report
of the International Committee.


Facts Elicit From the Report
of the International Committee.
Boston, June 13.-The work of the
international jubilee of the Y. Nj. {.
A., which began Tuesday, is in full
swing in all its branches. The presen-
tation of Y. NJ. c. A. problems and of
subjects bearing on the progress of
the work of so years was the main
feature of the days programme. The
day opened with a praise service. The
floor of the great Hall of Mechanics
building was well filed by the dele
gates before the opening exercises
were held, but the galleries were al
most empty.
Bruno Hobbs, of Cripple Creek, was
unanimously chosen secretary of the
convention. The first address of the
day was given by Judge Selden p.
Spencer, of St. Louis, who spoke on
the subject "The Lessons of Fifty
Years of Y. NJ. C. A. work" He
pointed out the fact that wherever
men are and can be reached as a class
there is the place for association
work.
Judge Spencer was followed by
Herbert B. Ames, of Montreal, who
spoke on THE Contribution of the
Young Mems Christian Association
toward the Solution of the City Prob
lens" He spoke in part as follows;
THE solution of the city problem
lies in successful effort on behalf of
those whoselives are capable of devel-
opment,fo those at least for whom
the idea of expansion is yet conceiva-
Bile. To fortify individual character so
that he, who is yet not overborne,
may feel within him an expanding,
and uplifting force, power of re-
sistance sufficient to enable him to de-
yelop, despite oppressive conditions;
to weaken, by every legitimate
means, the power Of evil to attract
and the forces of adverse environ
ment to injure; to convert the very
circumstances of associated human
life into an uplifting agency-these
are the lines along which we may
most hopefully deploy our forces to
attack the city problem"
Mr.. Ames also said that the phase
OF the question which lay nearest his
own personal experience was the con-
tribution which the Young Mems
Christian Association might render
by assisting the movement for the
betterment Of civic conditions.
international Committee Report,
Tbs report of the international
committee opens with a summary
which shows, among other things.
that up to 1901 there were 1,476 asso-
Citations, of which 1854 reported an
aggregate membership of 26s,477. The
total net property, consisting of
buildings, real estate and miscella-
neous property was $2l,716,102. The
report continues:
In the greater cities Of the CONT
net where the American Young
Mems Christian associa tions orginat-
ed, they have grown steadily in
strength and usefulness during their
first half century. This development
has been in many directions, among
clerks and mechanics, among students
and railroad men, in the army and
navy, among young men Of the col.
ored race, and among other classes;
also In the physical, educational and
religious departments of the individ-
ual associations.
The army and navy work has been
developed into permanent depart
ment, operating in Cuba, Porto Rico,
and the Philippine islands, and es-
tablishing many branches at points
on this continent now permanently
occupied by soldiers. Twenty such
branches have been established, eight
of which are under the care OF the
city associations In their immediate
vicinity.
The department OF railroad work
alone has furnished over 80 per cent.
Of the growth during the past two
years in the total number of associa-
tions OF all kinds In North America,
and over 20 per cent. of the total In.
crease In membership,
The work Of the committees secrc.
taries IN foreign fields received u de.
cided impulse from the action and
contributions Of the Grand Rapids
convention, and during the last two
years the force Of foreign secretaries
has bcen increased from II to 20, the
new men going TO japan, China, India
and South America.
The jubilee fund Of $1,000, 900, au-
thorlzcd by the last convention, has
been a little more than half sub
scrihed, conditioned for the most