The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-09
Great WORK OF
The ASSOCIATION
Splendid Results from the
Efforts of Christian
Men.

For several weeks past a committee Of
prominent citizens has been at work upon
plans for the relief of the Richmond
Young Mems Christian Association. These
gentlemen have carefully investigated the
coalition OF affairs and find strong
work being done.
In 1894 an effort was made to clear off
the indebtedness, and it was believed to
have succeed; it worked wonders. but
owing to death and failures, the amount
pledged fell short, when the final pay
ments We're made, by some two thousand
dollars. The payments running over
period of years. materially lessened the
Associations current support, and in the
eighteen months succeeding these gener-
Gus gifts, because of the withdrawal OF
current support occasioned by pledges to
the debt fund, deficit of three thousand
dollars was incurred. In 1895, because of
nine years of hard use, found the build
ing in imperative need Of extensive re-
pairs, and the increasing membership de-
manded larger and modern bathing faclh-
ties. Therefore, in the last five years ten
thousand dollars have been added to the
building in permanent repairs and I'M
provements. During the past tive years
the work has been almost doubled and
the membership largely increased. For
three years Of this current expenses We're
all paid During 1889 small deficit oc-
Cured and last year a considerable one,
thus the Association now faces an IN
debtedness of S1S,426. The committee IN
charge of the campaign are asking tile
public to stand firm in the support OF
this increasingly important work. lAes
not only desire to pay off every cent o.
the Indebtedness, but also to provide e.
573 for important repairs ana improve
ments and for the equipment of the boys
department.
While the Association is not charity,
it is a distinct and definite philanthropy.
The membership privileges are turnlsheo
worthy young men at about 6t per cent.
of the cost thereof, and it is, therefore,
necessary to raise each year III contrlpu-
tons among the business men S5,ooo 10
$4,000 The committee desire to RAISE TINS
entire amount during the month OF May
SO that there may be nothing in the way
of a more aggressive work than ever
during the coming fall Recently, in the
town of Marietta Ohio, where there was
no Association a few leading business
men got together and decided that they
should have an Association 1or 1ts t"o
thousand young men. Suitable quarters
did not seem to be obtainabie, SO THESE
same men put their heads and hearlS To-
gether and in thirty days raised sou, ooo Tor
a building. It is believed that the cltl-
literally and as generously to the sup
port of a work that has now become
great factor in the lives of young men,
and Is of Importance not only to the
youn., men of Richmond. but also to Inc
Young man who comes to make his nome
in our beautiful city.
Perhaps one of the most helpful fea-
lures of the work is the fact that 1T is
a chain that extends all through the
United States and Canada; in fact
throuehout the world. Letters of intro
duction are being constantly given by
Secretary Mckee to young men gong
from our city to other Association cities,
and thus they are at once at nome ana
among friends. Letters OF introduction
are lust as constantly being received.
Perhaps one of the best evidences OF the
real merit and effectiveness OF the work
Of the Young Mems Christian AsSocla-
ton Is the fact that the railroad compa-
MES of our own country aIII Canada spent
asst wear $3.50, 900 in the support of Asso-
citation work on their lines. Among our
prominent citizens Interested IN lhls
movement are Messrs. Robert s. Bosher,
S. w. Travers, John P. Branch, Lang
bourne NJ Williams, E. b. ADDISON, Jonn
q Freeman. w J. Whitehurst, James
D. Crllmp, J. r. Y. Daniel l. <Arcl.-~>..d
Cary Fl. A. ellis, T. D. Merrick, IL y.
I,icheJbareer. James Lewis Anderson,
oliver ]. Sands, Joseph Bryan, James w
C.ordon u. o. Davis. and others. Lead
ing pastors have expressed sympathy
VIII the highest welfare of the Asso-
citation.