The Washington times., 1903-01-20
LOCAL Y. NJ. G. A.
PRAISED AT BANQUET

strong a statement to say that the
Young Mems Christian Association Of to
/ day has become one of the most i'm
portant factors in the civilization of the
twentieth century.
At the jubilee celebration in Boston,
in June, 1901, the address of the coca
son was delivered by Dr. Alexander
Mckenzie who said in part:
One source of the constant encour-
agement is in the facts that the laws
Of life were fulfilled when the associa-
ton came into being It had to be It
was meant TO be. It was a marvellous
gathering in the upper room at Jeru-
salem from whose low door issued the
inspired men who were to be the apos-
ties and ministers OF the world I make
no comparison. This work Of ours is
but one of the details of that ImitIess
mission. The purpose was plain. to
connect the associations vitality with the
evangelical churches
Mr.. CeDhas Brafrard. at the Boston
convention, also said:
1t is wholly and entirely lay
effort for the preaching of the gospel.
Not because it considered laymen bet
ter preachers than cIergymen. but be
cause the preaching of the gospel 10
the whole world is too large a work Tor
the ministers alone TO do, and too i'm
poTtant Il work to be left uudcne'
Bad Luck Galore.
We thank you. gentlemen of the in
teTnationaI committee, for your presence
here tonight. We need the counsel and
the encoura cement which your presence
brings to US. Our association has not
always been carried on with ease and in
times of rejoicing. Three times our
buildings have been destroyed by fire.
and our association life and activity
hiHdered thereby -Four years ago, after
an interruption Of our work for many
months. chain Of GortuiJous circum-
stances placed IFS in possession Of our
present building. fairly well equipped Tor
physical department work and social oc-
casfons. but very poorly equipped for
religious and educational work Never
rheIess, We have maintained these de-
pa-tmcnts Under great disadvantages
and with some measure Of success.
Speaking Of our religious work, our
directors authorize me 10 thank you for
sending your represent attves TO US two
years ago, and suggesting TO us that We
take up the privilege of supporting a
foreign secretary in India to promote
the cause of Christ in Alahabad. India
This worl, We undertook, and 200 of our
young men esteem it a privilege to raise
S2.0c0 toward the support of this secre- /
tary. and the religious work of our as
ISOLATION has been, We believe. CORE
spondiEgIy elevated. We have had in
cur educational department the last
three years an average OF 400 students
This work we have been obliged to
carry on outside Of our buildings at a
distinct disadvantage, our present build I
ing aifording US no convenient arrange
ment of rooms suitable for this pur-
pose. This year number of the mem
bers OF the association have shown a /
great interest in Bible study work. We /
have no proper facilities for the eight /
classes at present carrying on Bible /.
study work. these classes numbering /
over 800 men. We have no assembly /
hall, either large OF small. that We can /
use for association purposes, T. gather /
ing Of 200 OF 300 men in the association
building necessitating the closing of cur
gymnasium on that evening We have .
no committee rooms properly arranged /
for the work of the associations com
mittees- 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 whom we have over 300
IN our association, and the care Of whom
has become Of late years one Of the
important activities Of the international
committee We have. however. in the
association, what is perhaps
better than all these-a spirit Of love for
he Masters work and the willingness
10 sacrifice personal comfort to have
his work go on even under difficulties.
Situation as It Is.
our situation. briefly summed up. is
as follows: We own our present build
ng- We own sufficient land for all need
ID new buildings. We are told we have
he best board Of managers in the Uni
ed States We have nearly . 900 earn
sst. active members We have no debts.
sither funded or floating We need two
lew buildings one large building. an ex-
ension Of the present building. contain
ng an auditorium. assembly hall. duIlni-
Dries. classroom. gamero0ms- and ether
association equipments, which Will cost
probably S175,0O0- We need a boys build
ng (for which we have a most advanta- ]
,eous situation. which viii cost approx
mately SIS, 000 and for the two, $3.50. 0gg.
Toward this we have in bank. drawing
interest the sum Of $50. 600. Our own
.oaTd OF directors have raised an addf-
iouaI sum of $4,000, making it neces-
cry to raise from outside sources the
UNI Of $I45. 900. The need is great. the
opportunities in our chosen field are I
ven greater
We are anxious to maintain our DO 7
ition in our city and among our sister
ssociatIons; what Is our duty2 Ought d
re ask the citizens Of Washington Tor
he balance of this fund in order to en-
bic as 10 carry forward this work of
Dung men for young mem