Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-02-05

The pastors of the evangelical
churches of Madison met recently
with L. o. Lesser, manager of the uni
versity Christian association building
canvass, and after full discussion of
the matter took action showing their
approval of the movement The fol
lowing resolution was passed:
Resolved, That we are in most
hearty accord with the movement To
secure a new building for the Young
Mems Christian association of the Uni
versity of Wisconsin.
THE work of the association is most
important, and aside from what the
local churches are able to DO, is the
only direct work for the religious
life of the great student Lody. 1t is
an absolute religious necessity that
! this building be erected as soon as
possible. 1t is also the sense of the
meeting that no UNCONVENTIONAL work
for students of the university that may
. be carried on in the near future, VIII
conflict in any way with the associa-
ton work. 1t is not the purpose OF
any church to erect at present any
dormitory in connection with the UNI
versity."
About year ago at the state con-
Ventlon OF the Congregations.
churches, a set of resolutions were
adopted referring to the religious work
at the university. Resolution No.
reads, THAT we endorse the move
ment now on foot TO secure Y. M. C.
A. building at the university, and
recommend that our churches give
their moral and financial support to
| that movement"
The report that there is a move
ment on foot to secure a dormitorv at
the university for the Congregational
| students, likewise for the Presbyter-
1ans, seems to be unfounded. DR.. E.
&. Updike, pastor Of the First Congre-
gatlonal church, says: "The work
which the Congregationalists hope to
do for the university does not contem-
plate in the near future the erection
OF any dormiiory. The work for the
| present will be largely in connection
with the local church. 1t will be in
no sense sectarian work It. will
strengthen rather than conflict with
what the Y. NJ G. A. is doing
DR.. B. B. Bigler of the Presbyterian
church says upon the subject:
I'VE are not going to build DORM
tory for the Presbyterian students at
the university
The report of the Presbyterian sy-
nod committee for work among stu
dents at the university contains these
words: Our program is not to build
a dormitOry." This report was adopt
ed by the synod, December last.
Pledges Now Near $4,000, Rut $4,000
Needed to Start Work.
1t will be remembered that about
I two years ago last June the building
| canvass was launched. Through the
local papers and by personal calls the
manager of the canvass succeeded in
bringing the plan and purpose of the
building before the leading citizens
| of the state. Last April the first sub
scriptiOn was made, amounting to
| $4,000 Others followed with $4,000,
| 81 200 and $500. Students subscribed
about $4,000 at the mass meeting held
in the university gymnasium last May.
At present there is nearly $4,000
pledged in bona fde subscriptions.
The association already owns the fine
lot directly west of the gymnasium,
and $4,000 is needed before the build
ing will be started.
The proposed Y. M. C. A. building IS
to fill, in part, the place of the'"pa-
rental roof" Among some things
which the building will contain, these
can be mentioned: Reception rooms,
game rooms, parlor, social rooms,
bicycle room, reading rooms, associa-
ton Offices, dormitory, committee
rooms, lecture rooms, auditorium and
restaurant.
The board of directors which has
been directing the work so far is COM
posed Of Justice ]. B. Winslow, E. F.
Riley, Professors w. A. Scott and NJ
S. Slaughter.
What the Governor Says.
January 81, 1903
Hon. J. B. Winslow, President Board
of Trustees, Y. M. c. A, U. Of w,
Madison, Wisconsin.
My Dear Judge Winslow: Replying
to your request for an expression of
opinion respecting the enterprise pro-
posed by your organization to secure
building at the University for the
accommodation and convenience or
students, irrespective Of creed, I have
pleasure in commencing the plan, not
only as in every way desirable bun
eminentIy practical. Such a structure
as is proposed to afford a resort and
means of recreation to the young men
attending the University must exert a
strong and wholesome influence III
character building There should be
no difficulty in raising the necessary
funds among the public spirited
Christian citizens of Wisconsin TO per-
feet this undertaking. | will cheer
fully contribute in every way possible
to encourage and assist you in your
work
Sincerely yours,
Robert NJ. La Toilette.
20 l.