Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17

number of a paper named "The Young
Mems Christian Association" was issued.
May 26, 1859, the building being COM
pleted was formally opened. with appro-
pirate exercises, the principal speakers be-
ing Geo. H. Stuart, former president of the
Christian commission, J. V. Farwell, presi-
dent of the Chicago Association, and Rev.
J. T. Newman, DID,, of the Metropolitan
NJ. E. Church.
! March 81, 1871, Mr.. Francis Fl. Smith was
elected president and the new gymnasium
was fitted up during the year. During the
| terms of General Howard and Mr.. Smith,
| as presidents Of the association, vast
amount of religious and phlanthropc work
! was undertaken. While Mr.. Hall was sec
! rotary the foundations were laid by the
association for the work now carried on by
| the Central Union Mission, the Associated
| Charities and the Womens Christian AS
ISOLATION.
| In the latter portion Of this period a
| large and important international conven-
! were present. The meeting Of welcome
was addressed by President Grant, Vice
| President Colfax, Governor Henry D. Cook.
| George H. Stuart of Philadelphia and
| president of the convention. The business
sessions were held in Lincoln Hall and the
public sessions in the First Congregational
| Church.
During 1872 the first training class work
| was introduced. May 8, 1874, Mr.. VIM.
| Stickney was elected president. May "a,
| 1875, Mr.. E. NJ Gallaudet was elected pres
| ident, and Mr.. Alex. T. Stuart was employ
ed as the second general secretary. He was
succeeded in 1877 by Mr.. Warren Choate,
| the third general secretary of the associa-
| ton In January. 1879, the first Of the
educational classes was formed and the
first regular weekly publication Of the as
| ISOLATION was issued.
| May, 1879, Rev. J. G. Ames was elected
president, and in November, Mr. o. c.
Morse, the new general secretary. arrived
and was given public reception December
| 8. In April, $780, the first of a series OF
| Gospel theater meetings were held in at
| dltlon to the usual open-air meetings The
| association became involved in some finan-
cial difficulty and was evicted from Lin
! coin Hall, through no fault of its own.
| however.
| A Move to New Quarters.
| October %. 1881, Mr.. Theodore A. Hard
ing. called by the association as general Sec
| rotary. entered upon his duties and rooms
| were taken at sO4 street Mr.. Harding
entered with vigor into a campaign to get
a suitable building. which resulted on March
! 6. 1882, in securing an option on the prop
| erty 14O0-1411 New York avenue, known as
| Chamberlin's Club House, at a price of
$4,000. August s, 1882, the $4,000 neces-
| sary to take possession of the property had
been pledged and the keys were delivered
| to the association September r.
| October 1, 1888, Mr.. b. H. Warner was
CHOSEN president. The new gymnasium was
formally opened May 2. 1884. and almost
| Immediately became one of the most popu-
| lar and useful adjuncts Of the association g
| work. October 8. 1885, Mr.. Charles Lyman
| was chosen president October f. 1886 Mr.
| john w. Foster was chosen president Gem
eral Secretary Theo. A. Harding resigned
| November 1, 1885, and on November III Mr..
| Geo. A. Sanford, who had beep called to
| the place assumed charge, but resigned In
May of the following year, and Mr. James
| +. Pugh, who had been employed as f1nan-
! ctal secretary, was put In charge as acting
| general secretary. Rev ]. G. Ames was
| elected president March, 1889, Mr.. Villa m
| b. Gurley was elected president. On Decem.
| Der 16, 1883, Mr.. Pugh was called as general
| secretary.
In February. 1891, the project for outdoor
| athletics was approved by the board of
| managers and Athletic Park, on 10Th be-
! tween and U streets. was leased for four
years.
October .. 1s93 Mr. L. caben Williamson
was elected president.
Death Of the Secretary.
The darkest days of the association began
with the destruction of its building with all
| Of its contents by fire July "a, 1896 With
undaunted courage Mr.. Pugh Immediately
set at work to raise money for new build
ing. The religious meetings were held in
| Foundry Church and the athletic work In
the Washington Light Infantry Corps gym
| nastum. generously furnished by said corps
| free OF charge.
! The next deepening Of the shadows came