The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-14
Y. M. G. A. BOOMING
Reports Made at Northfeld To-day
Show It.
THE FINANCIAL END is STRONG
Large Attendance Upon the State
Convention Addressed by
Dean Puttee.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Northfield, Mimi, Feb. 1.-THE fore.
noon session of the state Y. NJ C. A. was
spent largely in receiving the reports OF
officers and committees. The reports of
the college Y. M. c. AS We're particular
ly encouraging. The state university
leads in this work, Hamline is second, the
agricultural college third and Carleton
fourth.
Professor Haynes of the state univer-
sity reported for the state committee. All
the associations but one, he said, are in
better condition than ever before. There
are 221 associations in the state, with
twenty-eight secretaries, $500 members
and 1000 active members The number
OF young men not yet reached Is 25o,OOO.
Dodge county leads in special work. The
executive committee has become so
pressed with work that it finds it neces-
sary to employ two secretaries and
stenographer all the time. Night schools
and lecture courses are features of many
associations and are doing splendid
work There were 300 conversions during
the year. The finances are in uniform
ly excellent condition. All bills have
been paid on presentation.
r. H. Chute, treasurer reported re-
celpts Oh S4'ooo anu DISBURSEMENTS VI
$4,653.
c. K. ODER, field secretary of the inter-
national committee, made the principal
address of the forenoon. The program
closed with an hour of Bible study con-
Quoted by Rev. John R. Sampey of Louis
vile. u
Two hundred delegates had arrived by 6
o'clock last night and the evening trains
brought many more. The total number
will easily reach $50. The convention is
not only great success in point of num-
bers, but in interest and enthusiasm.
Opening Last Evening.
The evening meeting yesterday was
opened by a rousing song service con-
Quoted by Secretary Peck. A choir of
twenty or more male voices led the sing
ing and an audience of 400 or 500 joined
in heartily.
Following the song service, prayer was
offered by the venerable president of
Carleton college, DR.. James W. Strong.
Secretary Peck announced the enforced
absence of the association president, F.
d. Dean, who is in California, also the
absence of the vice president, G. H.
Cooper, who found it impossible to leave
his duties at the Mankato normal: Pro-
fessor Haynes of the state university,
was chosen to preside until the new presi-
dent should be elected. u !,
Mayor M. w. Skinner Of Mortified,
made the address Of welcome which was
becOmingly responded to by Professor
Haynes. The temporary organization then
followed The presiding officer announced
two committees; one on credentials and
one on general business. P. O. Hansen
was appointed temporary secretary.
Paul Gilbert of Duluth, gave tenor
solo to the great satisfaction of his
auditors. g - = = Z : -
Annual Address by Pattee.
The annual convention address was
given by Dean w. S. Pattee of the. uni
yersity law school. This was one of the
finest ever listened to by a Mortified
audience. The central idea was IAN age
of critical thought
There never was time. said the speak
er, when the fundamental factors of hu-
man life were subjected to such cutting
and keen criticism as at the present time.
We are living in an age when nothing is
taken for granted, when all investigation
is scientific and thorough. Men of science
are seeking the beginnings and causes of
all energy and power; men of history and
politics are searching for the facts of
mans earliest appearance and his rela-
tons to things and people about them;
men of philosophy are searching more
earnestly for the truth of thought and it's
ultimate source; and men of theology are
searching to know more and more Of the
source of Christian thought and action.
In this age the origin of Christ and
Christianity is subjected to history and
criticism. To-day everything is under the
microscope Of the historian and the scient-
list. In some cases these researches
awaken doubt and fear, but they awaken
in all thinking people a keener and grow
ing interest. The questions of the age
are natural and all are confronted by
the solutions to them. -
The speaker then spoke of the immense
growth of Y. M. c.. A. work and of it's
great Importance. ''The great incentive
to action, he said. is the spirit of devo
ton which is unchanging. 1t was the
same spirit of devotion at Bunker Hill,
at Gettysburg, and at Santiago. The same
is true in all Christian work. To-day we
must meet young men with the reasons
for faith and love. The young men were
told that science is always help to re-
ligon; that Christianity is life and not
theory. tiF-
The law of reception is that use brings
more. Power is gained by getting into
condition to appropriate power. Con-
tinually choose God as the all helpful and
you gain spiritual power. Practice is the
law of growth.
Rev. J. M. Mcconnell of the Congrega-
tional church closed the service with the
benedction. i. " -.