Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-20

teen it prifHsg9 to raise iise $1,000 toward
lisious work ST. our ass6eiafion has been,
We Rei 5sss grffSRoh4lnsly fIega5ed
eh s s yorH a aa h haxs BEEN 91
obliged to carry % outside of our. build
ings at distinct disadvantage. our present
building affprdipg Us no convenient ar
rangement OF rooms suitable for this pur-
pose.
1--WE have no assembly hall, either large
or small, that we can use for association
purposes, gathering of.2o9 or 300 members
in the association building necessitatng the
closing of our gymnasium on that evening.
I'VE have no committee rooms properly
arranged for the work of the associations
committees. We have no rooms where our
members can indulge in innocent games.
We have no rooms to devote to the care of
the boys of which we have over 800 in our
association, and the care of whom has be-
come of late years one, Of the important
activities Of the international committee.
We have. however, in the Washington asso-
citation what is perhaps better than all
these-a spirit of love for the Masters
work. and the willingness to sacrifice per-
sonal comfort to have this work go on even
under difficulties.
I'VE are anxious to maintain our posi-
ton in our city and among our sister asso-
Citations: What is our duty? Ought we ask
the citizens Of Washington for the balance
of this fund in order to enable US to carry
forward this work OF young men for
young men,? ="
Appropriately Celebrated.
Mr.. mcfarland then arose and assumed
charge of the proceedings for the evening,
as the presiding officer. He said:
sit is very appropriate that the interna-
tional committee of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association of America should be cele-
brating this jubilee anniversary with the
Washington association in the national cap
ital For, although its official headquarters
Is in the commercial capital Of this coun-
try, which is coming to be the commercial
capital of the world, it had it's beginning in
Washington, and it finds here the spiritual
as we'll as the political capital of the United
States, for this Is the home of the nation
genius. This is why the Washington asso-
citation is rightly to be distinguished from
every other association. 1t stands on the
hill of the federal District. where the whole
country can see it. 1t has in its directory
and membership representatives of all
branches Of the national government and
men from every state and territory in the
Union. 1t Is near to the headquarters of
the army and of the navy, In which the
association work Is now more important and
valuable than ever. and it is in touch with
every line Of effort which the associations
are following lat home and abroad. 1t
stands in the national capital for that
righteousness which exalteth a nation. It
exhibits to the whole country the attrac-
lions of the spiritual life, and makes in its
activities aspra ctlcai protest against mater
ialism. 1t comes to its jubilee anniversary
with an hotlSra baet record for patriotic, in
telligent ,enaeayoFs to: develop young men
harmoniousfyta and; compietely.,~It well de-
serves the tgibute OF the presence of so
many eminent mexssand women, and 1t well
merits a birthday gift which will enable
to meet the. denandS-of the young men II
the nation gathered in the capital city
1.-THE history Of Rhe association movement
is stranger than fiction. Half a century ago
there was but one association In the world
"a few young mean Of noble spirit but with
little money, meeting in a small room in
London. Now there are over 1850 assocla-
lions, with over 100000 members. owning
and occupying 73z buildings, valued at over
$50, OO0, 900 and Az without the money max
ing impulse9 The man who founded this
great Observation-Disclosures the fatherhood of
God. Georgef Williams Of London. still lives.
successful jp business and knighted by
Queen Victoria-was there ever a more per-
feet gentle knight?-to enjoy the affection
ate admiration Ola mighty army of young
men stretching around the globe. In spite
of all difficulties and all temptations the
movement has held on its successful way,
keeping Its principles bright and living up
to its great name. a Christian association
of young men. It Is not a charitable insti-
tuition, It is not a political institution; it is
union Of young men for mutual help and
for the help Of Others in the spirit of the
elder brother. This Is the age Of problems.
The WORD mas ptCUAue the CdlCQWOrQ OF our
time And we mean generally social prob
lens We sometimes think with Bismarck
that there are no other problems The only
satisfactory answer to social problems is
that which Is suggested by the purpose of
the Young Mems. Christian Association.
They are to be answered not so much by
the mind as by the spirit. The applied
teachings Of Christ furnish the only soiu-
! ton This is why the association has gone
beyond It's own buildings, valuable as their
athletic, educational social and religious