The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-29
Y. M. C. A. NOTES

Carpenters have been busy at the Y. M. c. A building the past week pulling out walls in order to make room for the Sun day afternoon meetings and to supply a game room in which number of new games will be placed for the entertain ment of members who do not care to read The changes are recognized as decided improvement, and will make it possible to bridge over the time until the new building is erected
 The canvass for the Y. M. c. A. building fund has not yet fairly opened up, as the preliminaries require a little more time than was anticipated. The work will begin in earnest this week and 1t Is hoped can be completed by December 15. The leaders of the movement hope to con- vince the business men of Birmingham of the great possibilities and the essen | tial and immediate needs of the work. | An incident demonstrating the necessity 1 of such a work occurred at the building l last week. A young man who recently came to the city and who has attended the mems meetings at the building came in and said he wished to sign a temper ance pledge Fortunately one was at hand and he signed it. In the conversa-
 
 live right and am trying to live right, but the other night I got in with crowd of fellows, good, congehial fellows they were, and I had no idea of drinking, but we took a social drink then another, and we got too much. I am heartily ashamed of it and I just wanted to sign the pledge so as to have something tangible to base refusal on should I be again tempted"
 Birmingham" he said, Ifs the easiest place to go wrong in and the hardest place to live right In I have ever seen, and have lived In a number of cities.
 Another man who a few weeks, since was converted in one of the Sunday after noon meetings, and who has been in the city temporarily, has decided to move his family to Birmingham. He says
 'I want to remain under the influence of the association, for I know it has been the means of reaching me and that un- der its Influence I can live more consist antly and do more and better Christian work than it is possible for me to do in my home town.
 "The need of the work in Birmingham and It's possibilities are made apparent at the building every day of the year.
 One who has been in this work for a long time says of 1t: '"rhe investment ! of money in an organization of this kind must always be productive of good re- suits. It shows in the moral tone of a | community. It provides a place where young men are always welcome, when everything else except saloons, dance halls and theaters are closed. It teaches | men cleanliness of body and of life. It is A means of reaching young men for | Christ and the church. 1t Is the young mans home down town It Is a place of welcome to the stranger and the means | through which many young men are placed in suitable boarding homes. Much more is done which could not be reduced | to simple statements. Such work is l worthy of the support or men wno would invest their funds In way which is sure | to pay large dividends in the lives of men"
 The illustrated lectures at the Cumber- land Presbyterian church next Wednes- l day evening will give to the people of Birmingham a clearer insight into the | extent and possibilities of at least two departments of association work, and it | is hoped the seating capacity of the build | ing will be taxed to the utmost. Interna- | tional secretaries George R. Hodge and | F. L. Goodman of New York in charge | of the associations educational and re- | ligious work respectively. In America, | have been secured for the occasion. Both I of these gentlemen are pleasing speak, CTS and will illustrate what they say with | beautiful stereoptcan views. On account | of the prayer meetings the lectures will | not begin until S;30. For those who come earlier musical programme has been ar ranged to begin at o'clock. All meet ings held heretofore. since the reopening of the work, have been for men, but 1t is hoped the ladies who feel an interest in the work will be in attendance Wednes- day evening
 The Friday night Bible class led by MT. James Bowron, held pleasant ses- sion last week. MT. Bowron handles the lessons in masterly way and all who