New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-12
]. ". c. Il. HEN CONVENE.
Buffalo Meeting Marks Fiffeth In
nirerSary Of First C0nrention.


Buffalo. May 1.-THE international convention Of
the Young Mems Christian Association of North
America convened here to-day The convention
marks the hftieth anniversary Of the first interua-
tional convention in America. when the interna-
uonal committees formed and the first meeting on
this continent OF association delegates held
The convention has brought together about 1870
delegates. representing 600 city associations, 200
student associations. 200 railroad associations and
large number OF miscellaneous associations rep
resenting the army and navy. negroes and Indians
and industrial concerns Workers present from
every State and Territory in the Union. Canada
China and Japan.
The opening devotional services were led by D.
s. Gordon
At the afternoon session Councilman II. II.
Bingham, in the absence of Mayor Knight,
tended q welcome TO the delegates behalf of tho
city. The Rev. Henry r. Master and John J. Nc
Williams also welcomed the delegates the part
of the churches Of Buffalo and the Buffalo Asso-
ciation respectively
The report Of the international committee
then submitted TO the convention. 1t reviews at
length the work OF tho association. The increase in
the strength and efficiency Of the State and pro
vincial organizations is reported to have been
steady. The associations have found their chief
field among the young men Of the clues but as
they enter the century there is II beginning
OF growth strongly accentuated in two directions,
first among boys and second among young men
IN country districts. The membership Of the boys
department numbers 2Q00o. The country work is
being pushed vigorously. The remarkable
growth Of the railroad associations reported at the
Boston convention has been fully maintained, and
the total membership has increased 2S206 men.
Another promising field is among young men Of
the industrial classes. Special attention has been
given the study Of single manufacturing estab-
lishments. and progress has been made in some
of the largest works OF the country.
There IS also promising work among the coal
miners in Pennsylvania Reports from all other
sections are encouraging. The committee submits
the following recommendations:
The continuance Of the following departments
of the home work once, publications and Il
brary, business, field. including County, railroad.
Indian special religious educational. physical. sec
ret4rlal boys The continuance OF the IoTeisn %ofh
accord with the work Of the missionary societies OF
budget amounting TO at least $6oOlo a year for
the home work Of the committee, md N increase
observance OF the last Lords Day in Sept ,mher
second lords Day in November and the week fol-
lowing as season ;l5 OF prayer for yognE men IN
appoint, under the rules Of the World Conference
the American delegates tc the reXt meeting Of
Earlier in the cay The committee on Perma,p1eat
ing officers OF the convention were unanimously
ident Of the Board of of The Dis
trct Of coIumba Yice-presidteIH,ts c. T. Willtams
William p SWEET, Of Colorado; Joseph Ramsay.
jr Of the Wabash Railroad; secretary, " H.
Stone, Portland ore: assistant secretaries. +. H.
Burt of Illinois, and C. E Williams, OF Quebec.
City Convention Hall, at which fifteen hundred
persons were present. letter from President
Roosevelt was read by President MacFarand in
which he said:
1t is matter OF sincere regret to that
able to be present at the international meeting
Of the Young Mems Christian Association. ] be
Eeve with all my heart in your work. for YOU have
what could be accomplished. but have striveu in
practical fashion to realize in some degree on this
earth the ideals Of Christianity. feel that every
Young Mems Christian Association throughout this
land is a valuable adjunct to good citizenship
William A. Rogers, Or this city, a member Of the
board Of trustees Of the Buffalo association. pre-
sided during the first part of the evening and de-
vice-president Of the local association gave a
historical sketch of the first international cOnven-
ton which held in this city in June 1854
Five charter members of the Buffalo Young Mems
Christian Association who were in attendance at
the dinner introduced by Mr. Sickes. They
the Rev. DR.. George H Ball. president OF
Keuka College at Penn Yam: the Rev. Isaac Tryon
this city, and James H. Primer. of Tonawanda
These the only surviving members Of the assoc
citation which organized in this city in June
1852 The charter members numbered forty.
At the close Of the address by Mr.. Sickles Mr.
Rogers introduced James H Cannon. president OF
the Fourth National Bank of Newly ork, who pre-
sided for the remainder OF the evening Other
dresses were made by John +. Moore. international
railroad secretary; j. s T1chenor. Army and Navy
secretary: Z. NJ. Robinson. boys secretary; T. T.
Cotton students secretary, and the Rev. Charles
A. Barbour, Of Rochester.
The convention viii be in session untn May Ia.