The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-26
'. 1T. C. 4. ANNUAL.
Meeting of Members Held Last Even
 Ing

Ing
 The annual meeting of the Young Mems Christian association was held in it's fine building last night. There was a good attendance of the members. and President Pierce N. Welch, of the board of directors, presided. Reports of the religious, educational, physical and boys departments were read and showed great progress during the past year.
 The report of General Secretary Lotze was, in brief, as follows:
 The year 1903 stands unparalleled in association history as one of material prosperity. New buildings have been opened costing $2, 335. .O00. and others are now in course of erection costing s1,- 7S2.000, while pledges have been receiv- ed for buildings to be erected this year costing $2,4 .O00.
 The philanthropic people of New Ha- ven have provided this beautiful house for the purpose of helping young men and boys to make the best use of their talents, and after fifteen months of work in this building we are prepared to say, very emphatically. that our cit izens made a good investment. The records show that the membership has doubled since our last annual meeting, and there has been healthy and steady growth. We now have 1,425 members, and an active canvass is be- ing made to increase this number to 2,OO0.
 There were never so many men talk ing advantage of the privileges of the association as now. Few associations can compare with our record of men and boys actually using the gynna- sium privileges.
 The members are coming more and more to realize their own responsibility and it is shown in their willingness to pay not only for their membership privileges, but to contribute for perrna- nent improvements. The movement on the part of the sixty young men who are now paying for the two fine bowl ing alleys which were installed by them in December shows the true association spirit The entire scheme was propos- ed and carried through by the members themselves.
 We have seen an excellent years work, but with an endowment of $50, ,OOO for our educational department we could provide for twice the number of students next fall
 It is gratifying to know that during the year forty-seven young men pro fessed to surrender their lives to Christ and fifteen have joined churches in New Haven. Some of the best work we have observed has been in the re- markable development of young Chris tians doing active Christian service The association does not intend to duplicate the work of the Salvation Army, the City Missions. Calvary In- dustrial Home or the Organized Chari- ties. The Young Mems Christian asso- ciation of New Haven has definite work to do It. is ,pre-eminently character building organization It helps the self-respecting young man to make the best use of his leisure hours. It is a home for strangers and provides better privileges for young men than can be found In any: club with all of the objectional features eliminated.
 Certainly no part of the association deserves more careful study and wise management than the training of the boy during his adoleseent period The boys are grouped according to their ages and then formed, as far as possi- ble, into smaller clubs so as to associ- ate with congenial companions, and the use of the gymnasium, swimming pool and games is scheduled at the close of school and on Saturday, so as to keep their time fully occupied with most helpful and interesting recreation.
 We received another $25.00O gift early in the year from Edwin Bancroft Foote, who so generously donated $25,000 in 1902 for the purchasing of the old polo rink and thus making 1t possible to es- tablish the Edwin Bancroft Foote Boys club. This gift. together with the first, makes MT. Foote the largest contribu- tor to the association.
 The work at the Goffe street branch for the colored young men of the city has received great impetus this year by the coming of our new secretary, David Wilder, who was thoroughly prepared for the position at the Inter- national Training school in Springfield. The young men are appreciating the privileges and increased activity is seen in all departments.
 Appreciative mention should be made of the faithful work of the Women's auxiliary Certainly no more loyal and helpful body of women can be found. The thorough organization of the vari- ous committees has been a source of constant aid to the association in innu- merable ways.
 Some of the best work in the boys department was accomplished during the summer months at the boys camp held on Tuxis Island, at Madison. Over 100 boys enjoyed the privileges at the various camps.
 The service and help department has filled an important place in the associ- ation life by supplying young men with a good boarding house registry, finding employment for worthy young men and thus aiding both the employer and en1- ploye, and by visiting the sick. We are just at the beginning of a CURES OLIp~ IN AUsTTs ApyA