Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-04-10
THE VALUE OF
Y. M. c. A. WORK

preciate the work done in and about
our local Y NJ G. \. \ visit to the
building yesterday afternoon gave us
the impression, as never before, of the
value of the work to our community.
\ half hour spent in conversation with
Mr.. Laumaster the General Secretary,
who has recently returned to take up
the work in our midst, gave Us new
ideas and added interest in the ASsocia-
| ton Whilst we sat talking over the
work in general, we were surprised at
! the number of young men that came
i'll and out the building and the ques-
tions they asked the Secretary He
seemed to be in demand ON all sides
We noticed that large classes Of boys
were using the gymnasium and enjoy
ing themselves thoroughly. The parlor
was occupied by n number of young
men, engaged in pleasant conversation
and the reading room was well filled
with young men reading the papers
and magazines. The game room also
| had its share OF visitors. On the
whole there was an air about the place
that suggested refinement and good
fellowship, and gave one the impress
sion that our Y NJ. G. A. building is
one of the popular institutions Of the
| town
To keep this work going and meet
all the demands from those who are
members, and others who call at the
| building-an average of $50 days
no small matter in itself, and Mr.
Laumaster assured US that this was
only one item of the work He told
US of other interests that centred about
the institution that required almost
constant thought and application
After hearing these things and noting
with interest, the many sides Of the
work, we felt as never before the
value of the organization.
! In all great cities there are centers
of art and education and culture. Here
is noble building where the treas
ures of art are gathered together there
is one dedicated to science; yonder Is
a magnificent structure containing
! only books. In the centre of business
activity is a monument i'll brick, stone
| and marble, expressive of the business
spirit of municipal life. In every dis
trict is building III which the educ
ational life Of the neighbOrhoOd cen
| tiers, and on many corners church spires
point men toward heaven. These are
evidences and expressions Of municipal
| life and character, and by them com
| munities, when put in the balances,
are weighed and judged. Where there
is no educational spirit, there will be
no institutions of learning; where
there is no religious enthusiasm and
zeal there will be no temples and where
there is no realization of the value
and worth of manhood as factors III de
termining and developing municipal
character and national greatness, there
will he no Young Men Christian As
sOciation. But Danville has fine
building, and believes i'll looking after
its young men.
The question as to whether or not
the Association is good thing for a
town or city has long ago been settled.
| The value and need of the work is ad.
mitted by men of means and experience
Everybody admits it is a good thing
to have well equipped Y. NJ. c. \.
i'll each town. With facilities such IA,
II well equipped organization should
| afford, it becomes center of influ
ence for good and furnishes attraction,
| that win young men to it and that
commends it to all who have the best
| interest of the community and it,
| young men at heart The Association
answers and satisfies a demand of the
day and time in which we are living
| 1t has been demonstrated also that il
is capable of working out practiC.
al issues. Its aims are practical. 1t.
| results are far reaching and perman
ent and its management capable.
| Some months ago, the Directors OF
the Danville Association prepared {
careful budget Of expenses, amounting
| to $4,000, to cover "A period of two
years, which contemplated not only
the running expenses, but the retiring
of all Indebtedness. \ canvass was
made and the entire amount secured
Up to the present time, sufficient
| money has been collected TO pay al
debts and current expenses, and it /.
to be hoped that, with subscriptions
yet due and uncollected, the Associa
tion may continue to 20 forward.
Plans are being made for an aggres
sive campaign along all lines Of As
sociation work, and there is no doub
but that Danville will hold its owl
with other towns i'll the state.
In speaking to Mr. Laumaster abou
plans for the future he said that every
thing would be done to make the As
sociation an attractive place, not only
for the Christian young man, but fol
the self-respecting young man who de
sired a clean place of resort. At pres
ent the Association is getting its com
mittees into working order, and TIN
religious, social, intellectual anC
physical departments will also receive
attention.
With money pledged to carry on tn,
work, everything connected with oul
Y. NJ G. \. should go smoothly from
this time on. Let everybody determine
that it shall be a great success anC
accomplish great good.
rendered a Surprise Party.
\ surprise party was rendered Mr.
and Mrs. Jacob Haney, Saturday even
ing, at their home, Walnut street Dur
ing the evening a sumptuOus repast wa
| Fnhn.., Nj p