The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-06

 was unprepared to say what she would do
 It is known that Miss Lake is seriously considering the foreign work, and that she has intended ultimately to go to foreign field The offer to go to China comes at a time that seems peculiarly suspicious, in that Miss Lake has brother who has recently been appointed missionary to China, and will go out in the spring under the auspices of the foreign board of the Southern Baptist convention. If Miss Lake decides to go to China she will leave this country at the same time that her brother starts upon his mission.
 The Young Womens Christian associa- tion has only trained women as it's sec retaries, but the Birmingham association has been peculiarly fortunate in having a secretary combining magnificent person. al qualities as well as the requisites Of the office. The first year of an associa- tion is crucial time, and the duties and responsibilities of a secretary are greater, more trying, than at any other time There are discouragements of all kinds, the constant work of getting classes formed, the initiatory period of all work, the necessity of increasing the member ship and the work of establishing the as-
 
 The Birmingham association has been entirely successful and there is evidence of increasing interest. The classes are well attended and particularly has the gymnasium proven popular. In every de- partment of work, the influence of Miss | Lake is felt. Her executive ability in the | organizing of classes, her personal inter- est in the young women, her enthusiasm | and earnestness are unusual. To know some thing of her work, to comprehend how close is her relationship to the mem ! bers of the association, it is necessary to be a part of the association. But, even casual observer can realize to some ex- tent the wonderful influence she exerts
 Seated at her desk in the little office at the Young Women's Christian Associa- tion rooms, III the Watts building, Miss Lake greets every young woman who en- ters the rooms. During the luncheon hour there are between seventy and eighty women and girls in the cafe ad- joining the secretary's office. Not a. woman would feel that her luncheon was complete without a bright smile from Miss Lake, without moments chat with her.
 Before Miss Lake came to Birmingham, she was secretary of the Young Women's Christian association in Ottumna Iowa. When she took charge of that association there was a membership Of seven hun dred, with only two hundred and fifty active members. After reorganizing the association. Miss Lake determined that 1t should have a permanent home and ! personally undertook the gigantic task of raising fifteen thousand dollars.
 She made a proposition to purchase the site and building owned by the Baptist church in Ottumna, and offered them fho nht h should erect handsome building. The pastor, the deacons, and the entire con- gregation were aghast at being deliber- ately asked to sell their church building, simply because a young woman thought 1 the site was a desirable location for a Young Womens Christian Association building. In the end, Miss Lakes pro- position was unanimously accepted, and the architects went to work to adapt the building to the purposes intended Through persistent work and untiring energy the fifteen thousand dollars was raised and the building was formally opened on Thanksgiving. Miss Lakes duties in Birmingham prevented her from attending the dedication exercises, but there was a beautiful picture of the form CT secretary hung that day in the place of honor.
 The Birmingham will have as its guest early in January Miss Emma Hayes of Chicago, one of the secretaries of the American committee. rne expected to re- turn with Miss Lake from Atlanta, after the Gulf States conference, but her visit has been arranged after the holidays. There are a number of young women members of the Young Women's Chris tian Association auxiliary, who assist in serving the luneheons, and the cafe is very attractive. Miss Laura Senor does the marketing and superintends the work in the kitchen and the cafe, which | is so successful.
 "Sometimes we make five cents day said Miss Senor, with the most serious face, "and today we come out exactly even," and her face rippled with smiles. | This indicates the value of economy.