Evening journal., 1903-07-21
Y. N. c. A. FOR
C0LORED YOUTH
Movement to Establish One
in This City Meets With
encouragement
IIS NECESSITY IS APPARENT

The movement to establish a Y. NJ.
c.. A. for the colored youth of will
mington Is regarded with favor by
representative citizens. They say that
the necessity Is apparent and that the
movement should receive every en-
couragement from both the white and
colored races.
J. Albert Sterrett, young colored
local preacher Is one OF the most arr
dent workers IN his race for the
cause In speaking of the movement
yesterday he said:
"The most optimistic View that /
could express concerning the religious
and moral status of the colored youth
Of Wilmington would not place me far
short of a decided pessimlst. There
are some exceptions. but such perplex-
ing problems are found In the masses
that immediate and earnest methods
are necessary for their solution.
Yet, when the young negros en-
vironment Is considered, one need not
be amazed at his present plight /
have found that great many have
tendencies toward reformation, but
there has been no organization among
them sufficiently liberal to counteract
/ ~
true that we have churches In the
community but / hear that they are
inadequate 10 reach the young men,
They preach the blessed whatsoever
WIN gospel but they do not 20
out into the highways and Of
fer Inducements to them 20 come
In. The churches are not reach
! ing those they should and the
b gIIt
by "a continued exercise of present
methods.
Certainly while 80 many OF our
churches spend six-sevcntha OF their
time worshipping Mammon and the
other seventh formally worshippine
God, we may expect 20 be hampered by
moral degenerates and social outcasts
There are some churches which are
fortunate In possessing sincere Chris
tian leaders-pastors who are devoui
men. working hard daily to calm th,
boisterous element OF the negro youth
D. THE time has come to- act. W,
Y SHALL by the help Of our Cod esthhllsl
a branch of the Y. NJ. O.. A. ia this city
q for the elevation Of the colored youth
+ IL viii bring him in closer contact witt
q the upright of his own race and place
Is kindly counsel from the white peopl
al engaged iu the same work. 1t vii
le teach him to conduct himself properl
towards God and man.
T. 1T viii eliminate I'm him the de
~ sire 20 be a politician without merl
he or worth II will rescue him frof
30 tha talons of the political bird q
Is prey who seeks to purchase his vot
IN I.aHIN !. Il U..
ed move from before his eyes the cloud q
he ignorance and lack Of principle an
win serve to inspire him with sci
NJ respect, industry and moral worth.
o.; "The Y. NJ. G. A. will give the col
81 ored youth innumerable advantage
n, by placing him IN position TO receiy
the moral and material support whic
he ] have found the representative citi
NJ zens OF Wilmington always ready AN
"a willing 20 give. II viii make OF hin
~ n competent servant. for whom ther
ne always will be employment IL wi
to provide for him good. healthy amuse
~ ment II viii do away with stree
er lounging by procuring for them dahl
s labor and q place where they ma
spend their evenings amid Christia
e. environment. receiving instruction an
"a enjoying model social intercourse wit
or others OF their race.
b. since the announcement thre
he weeks ago Of my intention to organic
r a Y NJ G. A. here for colored men
have received over a score OF letter
or from well-known citizens, encouragin
d. me, pledging assistance and offerin
T. prayers in behalf of the undertaking
~ 1T Is a great undertaking becaus
themselves and because OF the fooiis
In opposition of "a few of the more ignor
m ant ones OF the race. Should we re
y. ceive the assistance promised by on
he citizens. which is absolutely necessar
"a 10 insure success. we shall ia Time b
ly the help OF God, develop the uncertai
"a element OF our negro population int
he reliable and safe citizens.