The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-19
YOUNG MEN HEAR
 PRACTICAL ADVICE
I. H. Johnston Addresses a Y.
 M. c. A. Meeting
VERY LARGE ATTENDANCE
MT. Johnstons Theme Was "The Value of a Definite Purpose in LIfe"-J. E. Blair an Ardent
 Worker, Leaves the City.

T. H. Johnston, the well-known lumber merchant and a member of the police commission, addressed a large gathering of men at the Young Mems Christian As- sociation yesterday afternoon. The meet ing was the first to be held in the new gymnasium locker room.
 Secretary J. P. Jackson conducted the devotional exercises, and the singing had the ring of enthusiasm. A number took part in the prayer service for the sue cess of the meeting.
 Before closing the exercises Mir. Jack son called for Mir. J. E. Blair. who will leave the city shortly, to come to the the members to keep up the spiritual work of the association and to let noth- ing interfere with it.
 MT. Johnston spoke on "The Value of Definite Purpose in Life" and began by referring to the work of the architect who designed the new gymnasium, say ing he had definite purpose. The archi- tect began by getting all the information possible about similar structures and carrying out the idea in detail. Thus each part was in its proper place. "Our lives" said the speaker, "are very much like the building" We must have pur- pose. We have not 'Just growed" like the girl referred to in Uncle Toms Cabin
 MT. Johnston referred to President Roosevelt as having a purpose and that his election was not a mere chance. He used as an illustration boat which will sail against the wind The man who has purpose is going to succeed in spite of temptations, trials, and disap- pointments. Some mems purpose is to get money, said the speaker, and they generally succeed. This Is not the high est purpose. Another spends what he has stored away and the soul suffers The speaker told of a stenographer who improved himself through his spare time and is now the manager of one of the leading insurance companies in New York.
 Any man." said the speaker, "who wants to get on in the world, must fit himself before he can get the high position"
 MT. Johnston closed with an earnest appeal to the young men to have a pur- pose and said they would succeed, but of all things seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added"
 MT. Walter Maxim sang "The Rock Stands Fast" the chorus of which was sung several times by the whole au- dience.
 An earnest appeal was made for all those out of Christ to get on the Rock. 1 Three young men requested prayer.
 MT. J. s. Bridges assistant secretary, called attention to the night school, say ing that 110 pupils had been enrolled. The second term will begin January g.
 After the meeting adjourned a good social time was had. Refreshments were served by the serving committee
 J. E. Blair, young man of strong talent, who has been active member of the association for more than year. will leave the city today. For several years he has been assistant foreman of the carding department of the Avon dale Cotton mills and now goes to Stew enson, Ala, as superintendent of the manufacturing department of cotton mill at a greatly increased salary.
 MT. Blair will be greatly missed In the association, as he has been very active in its religious work. He assisted in the organization of The Out-and-Out club" and has helped make It's work effective and fruitful He has rendered valuable service also by reporting the Sunday meetings to The Age-Herald every Mon day for over year.
 Last night an officer of the Y. M. c. A., in speaking of Mr Blair, said: "He Is a graduate of Cullford college of North Carolina, where he got considerable ex- perience as editor of the college maga- zine. Mir Blair attributes his success in life to the fact that he is a Christian He was reared in the strict faith of the Quakers and stands firm in the practice of the principles of his spiritual fathers He is first a Christian and a business man afterwards. By the exercise of these principles in his experience with men and the world he has been able to see the best side of human life and has worked his way through many difficulties to com plete success in every position he has ever accepted He Is an illustration of the fact that it pays to have a definite purpose in life and the will to work out that purpose in actural experience. His many association friends regret to have him leave Birmingham