New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-11
TIE Z. u. @. 4. AND TIE AMY.

Official recognition Of the meritorious work
which the army branch of the Young Mems
Christian Association is doing appears I'm the
recent order OF the Secretary Of War directing
commanding officers in the United States Porto
Rico and the Philippines TO facilitate that work
at their various posts by providing quarters in
which ii may conveniently be carried on, and
expressly authorizing the OF post exchange
buildings for the purpose. Secretary Taft thus
! practically indOrses in behalf OF the army the
enterprise which, in its application to the navy.
! Secretary Moody has most emphatcally ap-
proved.
At the annual meeting last January OF the
/ Women'S Auxiliary. through whose efforts the
| association building for sailors and marines
In Brooklyn was put up and equipped Rear
Admiral Taylor, being present by Secretary
Moodys direction. spoke with enthusiasm OF
the benefits of the work 10 the enlisted men OF
the navy. The workings OF this new idea." he
said, have proved It to be of marvellous value
Ito the tone, the morale and the morality OF
"the men. This great enterprise OF keeping
naval seamen in the right path Is no longer an
experiment; it has been tested most thorough
! "ly; its defects have been corrected; its good
points have been confirmed: its success has
"been fully demonstrated" The record Of the
Sands-st. establishment for 1903, its first year.
is indeed remarkable. When the spacious build
] ing was erected at cost or ABOUT S4Jb,UDb the
/ opinion was somewhat freely expressed that
| too large provision had been made for the re-
quirements which II was designed to supply;
| but, as a matter OF fact. II was not equal to
/ the demand. The branches established at Nor
/ folk and at Newport are correspOndingy sue
cessfuI n smaller scale and the appeal for
means TO extend the work to all the more i'm
| portant naval stations is amply justified by
practical experience and the approval Of the de-
/ partment. The association has not less fully
demonstrated the value OF the work which 1t
has been carrying on at army posts during the
last five years, and the growth of which Sec
rotary Tafts order is sure TO promote.
There IS no longer any disposition TO scoff at
! the Young Mems Christian Association and
among intelligent citizens everywhere It's po-
! tency as an instrument OF personal and civic
morality is gratefully recognized. DR.. Mabie
/ has not exaggerated fits claims to respect IN
saying:
/ Whatever may have been the defects. either
| in quality in management. OF the association
1 in the past. II has become model of high and
| effective organization. 1t is expression of
! the religious life which fits the temper and the
need OF the day. and it is therefore fundamental
! ~ the right expression of that life 1t is re-
! ligion of action contrasted sometimes too sharp
| ly with the religion of meditation. but pre-emi-
| nently, I'm spite Of it's occasional overemphasis
/ on action. the religion which the modern world
needs and which do the most for the re-
! denptlOn or the modern world IL STANDS Tor
/ that broad conception of life into which the
young man OF to-day is born. 1t demands the
health OF the body well the health Of the
spirit. sanity in out-of-door life we'll in
1 tegTity I'm social and business life.
The word sanity IS well applied TO the ac-
tivities Of the association. 1t makes no appeal
| TO mawl1ish sentiment and takes no part in the
cultivation Of a merely emotional religion It's
business is to foster clean and wholesome 1iv-
ing. to encourage desire for moral and mental
growth among its members and 10 put within
/ their reach such means oil rational enjoyment
as most of them would otherwise lack It Is
/ an admirable institution, managed on sound
! principles and productive of great results.