The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-08-13
Worlds Young Mems Christian Association
Meeting

The twenty-hith anniversary Of the
establishment of the Worlds Commit.
tee of the Young Mems Christian
Association is held this week in
Geneva, Switzerland. Clarence J.
Hicks and John r. Mott, associate
secretaries with Richard c. Morse Of
the International Committee of Young
Mems Christian Associations, repre-
sent the American Associations.
Leading men of the Association from
all countries comprise the committee.
Among the members are Sir George
Williams, who founded the Associa-
ton in London in 1874; Prince Oscar
Bernadotte represents Sweden; Count
Bernstoriff, Germany; X. Ibuka,
Japan; and James Stokes, Hon. Ce-
phas Brairerd, H. B. Ames Esq. and
X. T.. Morse, America. The presi-
dent of the committee is Prof.
Edouard Barde, Of Geneva. A feat
ure Of tine meeting was the presenta.
ton to Charles Fermaud, for twenty
FIVE years General Secretary Of the
committee, Of large sum of money,
in recognition of his work of twenty
FIVE years in developing the Associa-
tions In Europe, which now number
Asst. The Worlds Committee has
trebled its force in a few years, and is
rapidly extending Associations in
Russia, Portugal, Spain and Greece.
This committee established the
National Committee of France, where
Association development has been
most pronounced of late. In Asia
there are $50 Associations, of which
43 are in China, and ISL in India,
and 54 in Japan. There are 30 in
Africa and IS in Oceanica. America
has by far the largest membership,
numbering 35o,45s, and possesses
nearly four times as much property as
all the other countries in the world
combined. Great Britain has o35
Associations with oS,44o members,
owning buildings valued at $4,000
900.
The South African Associations
have just held third conference at
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, which was
presided over by Sir Henry Bale.
Chief Justice of Natal and President
of the South African Council. The
Mayor of Pietermartzburg and Bishop
of Natal were speakers.
The Danish National Committee
reports a97 Associations with Io,7a9
members and 20 secretaries. They
own IS buildings. At their recent
National Conference 5000 delegates
and members were present.
Tokyo, Japan, this year celebrated
its financial independence. 1t has
hitherto depended upon the American
Associations for most of its support.
Several hundred members are enroll
ed as "students of Christianity.
Calcutta numbers among its men,
bers great many foreigners, who
combined on the Fourth of July to
celebrate Dominion Day and In 1e-
pendence Day inviting every Canadian
and American in the city to be pre-
sent. The United States consul
presided. The "Star Spangled Ban
ner', "The Maple Lear and "Amer-
ica" were sung by everybody.
The army Association secretary in
one of the Philippine camps combined
with the Catholic chaplain to make
pay day so attractive to men that they
are kept away from the saloons.
Here is a telegram received by the
secretary from the chaplain:-"Pay
day today; come over and help hold
the men," Another one read, Scan
you come with the Life of Christ
lecture tonight" The result was
that the keepers of the canteens out
side bewalled "dry pay day."
/. The Association at Cavite, P. l.,
secured lease Of the old Midway
cafe building AT Olongpo, the Naval
authorities set apart site for a build
ing which is now being constructed
for the Association for work among
the $40 marines stationed there.
Just outside the water-gate of the
Tartar City, Peking, China, a little
building has been secured for a Sol
dlers' Association, which has been
conducted by L. ]. Christian, Unit
ed States Army Hospital Corps man,
who has given his services for six
months without salary. The expen-
ses of $a5 month are paid by the
soldiers.
We have a nice line of wall paper