The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-12
ONE POINT OF VIEW
\ BY THE REV. EDGAR GARDNER MURPHY
 Relating this Department Be Addressed to MT Murphy.


 Almost every modern community sus- satisfactory, to the organization known as the Young Mems Christian Associa- tio1. The work of the Y. M. c. A. IS evangclical educational and recreattonal It stands for religion, for knowledge, and for the moral value of sane ana wnoie-
 Two Methods.
 Sometimes the relation of the organi. xat.cn to the community Is not what II ought to be. The fault may lie in the Y. M. |. A., or the fault may lie m the community. The Association owes a duty to the town, but 1t is equally true socintion. There are two ways in which to deal with the faults of a fraternal or religious or philanthropical society One way is to stand outside. shrug your shoulders, make solemn remarks about the hypocrisies of others, and take care. full and rejoicing note of the failures oi everybody who is really trying 10 uo something. The other way is Tor all right-minded and patriotic men to come frankly to the support of the society, Tn orfsr tha. any possible mistakes may be rectified and that the community may get the best possible returns iron. M tne Institution may represent The man, wno supports a political organization In spite of it's errors and its demagogues, should not refuse to support a religious organ
 A Broad Principle.
 This is general principle. applicable to all these institutions which attempt she realization of high aims through associated effort It Is applicable to an Rrmy--whichj has it's traitors; it is appli- cable to a urrversity--which has it's char; latans: it is applicable to commerce which has its defauaters: and It is ap- failures of some loved and cherished life are not the occasion for the abandonment of family ties. but the sacred and con. straining reason for their deeper and
 However, do not wish to preach a ser mon. though a sermon lies in the thought upon which I have just been dwelling have been speaking generally-iu words which fit more or les accurately the precise difficulties of every church with which I have been connected; and therefore these words have met, 1 SUD- pose. one of the difficulties of the Young Mems Christian Association in The Y. Nj. c. A. in Montgomery.
 Our local organization is worthy of fhe confident support of all. In its Board of Directors are some of the strongest Our local Secretary is full of genuine Interest in men, he possesses patience. intelligence. energy and ambiuon The Association has the ,,a support ,Sd of every visy with possibly one exception, and all who are connected with its work have just one desire-,the desire that the or may sery in the oS whole community. Whatever touches the young men of a. city. touches. sooner or later. everybody else.
 What It Can Do.
 There are 8 number of things which the Y. M. c. A. can do for Montgomery. It can witness to the presence of a common Christianity. With frank and courteous recognition of denominational differences. it can represent, in its prac- Heal work. that deeper unity of purpose which binds together those who are ''onee never operate as a substitute for the Church. It should aid the Church. po,iation may be helpful to many who can not or will not attend the stated worship of regular congregations. yet the services of the Y. M. c. A. must never bs taken as a finality. They do their truest work just in so far as they bring all those whom they may influence into the normal. habitual and responsible re- Iationships of the Christian household.
 Education and Recreation. .-
 Close upon the evangelical work of the Association there follows its cducattona work. In its commercial and general courses, in all the work of its night et small cost. those advantages which thsy may be denied by day. The Y. M b. A. does not pretend to provide q complete education. But 1t does provide much that is practical and helpful in he way of educational aid.
 One of the most important of all the aspects of @ the work of the Association is it's provision for clean, wholesome, invigorating amusement. The older I grow. the morc Thoroughly I believe in the redemptive value of "a good time." The clean. de- cent, robust pleasures of this life of ours have all come out of the fullness of our Fathers love. God takes the samo joy in the happiness of his chill dren that a man takes in the pleasure of the little ones of his own home.
 One of the first pleasures in the life of the young boy is the pleasure of getting together" A man is just as social in his instincts as a woman. Tn a boys life. the gregarious impulse comes early tH the surface. He wants to go where ,e can meet and know other boys What the boy feels Is felt still more deeply by the young man. He wants a social home. and Montgomery must see that he has it-has 1t apart from those surroundings and associations which bring him into discreditable habits and into still more discr editable company.
 The Young Mems Christian Associa- ton proposes to provide, in it's new quarters, place of wholesome and re- spectable resort for the young men of Montgomery-an adequate and attractive gymnasium, first-class and well-fitted baths. library, reading-rooms, and such appointments. generally, as may adapt