Evening journal., 1903-01-27
A BUsIN Ess PRoposITIoN

n - tCASAAN Aat1hJ MI
In his address on the work of the
Young Mems Christian Association
on Saturday night, James G. Cannon,
vice-pesident OF the Fourth National
Bank of New York. said some perti-
nent things, but there was one thought
that was worthy of all attention by
those who are interested in the ad-
yancement of character in our young
men. The speaker touched upon the
keynote of the work when he said:
1t is the duty OF the business man to
employ and support those agencies
which shall care for the young man in
his leisure time, for IL is during this
period, when he is AWAY from his busi-
mess, that he is either making or mar
ring his character
It is this idea which has made the
work Of the Christian Association SO
successful. The church devotes its
energies to the spiritual welfare of the
young men, and yet oftentimes the
stranger feels that his welcome is
somewhat chilly. There are numerous
schools which are conducted for the
purpose OF imparting that knowledge
which is so necessary to the man in his
struggle for existence and which make
him better citizen. The church prom
ises much and the schools promise
much, but there is something more re-
quired in the formation of character
The young man must establish correct
habits so that his life shall take a GER
tain trend, and these are not govern
ed absolutely by either church or
school, or by both OF them. They are
great factors, it is true. but their in
fluence is temporary and occasional.
The greatest agency in the formation
Of character is the home. and when the
young man is separated from this ana
thrust into the seething world of the
great cities, he is without a rudder.
Any agency which can step I'M and fur
nish, in a measure what the Young
man has lost, or what unfortunately
he has never had, is to be encouraged
and sustained. The young man
spends about one-third OF his life IN
business. There he performs certain
duties, OF is obliged to seek an
other place. Another third he spends,
or should spend. in sleep. What he
does with the other third is the most
Important question we can consider
We may set It down as an assured
fact that he will not sit at home with
hands folded-not if he has spirit-and
the spirited youth is peculiarly worthy
of our consideration. Neither will he
spend the hours of reprieve after day
of hard work in reading a volume of
sermons, and perhaps he will find hard
study under these circumstances in
sufferablc drudgery.
What is his need? "a normal home.
That means pleasant associations all
most constantly after the days work
is over. Il means the constant refn-
ing influence Of womanhood. It means
a chat over the events OF the hour
pleasant game. perhaps an instructive
book, and if the home is properly or
dered, it means neatness. order and
promptness. Sometimes in the home
matters of education, science and lit
erature are discussed thus developing
the taste OF all and adding to the
general store OF knowledge.
The Christian Association cannot
duplicate this, but it can supply
many elements that have been miss
ed by thousands Of young men. They
Twill not listen TO constant preaching,
and yet win discover and develop
tastes because Of good companions
and proper surroundings. BY the
time a man is thirty usually his gem
eral character is determined and it
is before that period that the Asso-
citation desires to reach him.
Churches are paying Investments
when considered from financial
standpoint; so are institutions OF
learning, but. so. too, are these Chris
ton Associations. Wilmington has
not been as energetic as she might
have been in advancing this splendid
work. Now it is being presented to
iher citizens as business proposition,
the right attitude has been taken. and
we trust our business men will re-
spond.