The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-13
Y. NJ. c. A. NOTES.
What the Association Has Been Doing
During the Past Year.

The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ltion is now n of the most popular
institutions in the city. Never before
has this worthy cause been more pros
lpercus, nor its members more enthusi-
Iastic. This is shown by the act h a
Iit now has 400 members. composed Of
men from almost every calling in the
lefty. Many are clerks in the stores
land Offices of the city, other from the
IA. c.. L. offices, where SO many young
men are employed. lei there are
mechanics from the shops, business
men who represent the heaviest bust
mess interests in the city, also pro-
ifessional men, doctors, lawyers and
lothers. Never before has the mem
ibership. represented a more general
lclass, showing its adaptability to the
requirements of every man in the city.
The season just passed shows a mark
led increase in the use Of the privi-
Ileges Of every department.
The physical department, compris-
ling the gymnasium and baths, has
ibeen used to its fullest capacity dur
ling the winter n spring months.
There were 1861 baths taken. 308
gymnasium classes have been conduct
Jed, with an attendance of SAT-. In
addition to this, athletics have been
made popular by being conducted reg
Iularly. Four championships were de-
icided. These were in all round attn
~lletics in both the junior and senior
departments. The former was won
lby Master Louis Orrell and the latter
lby MI. John Cooper. The other two
Iwere basket ball championships. The
team Of Louis Poisson won in the jun
Iior department, and that Of Mr.. J. A.
McGeachy for the Association in the
Itri-league. composed of teams repre-
lsenting the Association, A. c.. l.. and
Boys Brigade.
The interest in this department is
still good. despite the warm weather,
las shown by the fact that another
lclass has just been organized for men.
(which meets each morning at 9:15
O'Clock. 1t is also worthy of note that
the members have just subscribed
S1,075.00 with which to install a mod
Iern swimming pool. which will prove
such a great source Of pleasure and
lhealthful recreation to the members
Iduriny the hot months.
The social department, under the
direction OF Mr.. j. 7. King, a proved
lof great attraction to many of Will
lm~ington's people,. Several social fea-
lures were conducted during the sea-
son, when hundreds of people were
present. Among these features may
be especially mentioned those of Octo-
lber Sd and January LIST.
The educational department was
mot a great success. but in comparison
to the preceding year it was an i'm
provement. In the year 1902-'03 no
educational classes were conducted,
but during the last year one was con-
lducted in s~tenoeraphy, taught by Mr..
&c. V. Motto. Fffty-two lessons were
Taught, and the Young men enrolled
ihave been placed in a position to
make themselves more useful to their
employers and will be enabled to COM
maud better wages.
The religious department shown
a marked Improvement over former
years. From October I'd to Anril the
attendance at the Sunday meetings for
lmen averaged 104. Twenty-nine BIZ
bile classes were conducted for men,
with an attendance of SAT, and for
boys there were twenty-eight classes,
with an attendance Of 453. This is a
total Of ffty-seven classes, with an at
tendance OF 1000. Rev. A. D. Nc
iClure teaches the class fo- men. and
MIR. Dushan hat for boys. These
~iclasses will continue to meet through
the summer. They meet once each
week. That for men at Z o'clock on
Monday afternoons, lasting one hour.
and that for bows on Friday afternoon
lat 7:15 to S o'clock. These classes
are for the men of the city, whether
members or not.
The reading room has been in al
most constant use. The attendance
was $500. This room - equipped
with about fifty OF the best newSpa-
pers. weekly and monthIv magazines
and other periodicals: sos books were
drawn from the library.
The attendance at the buildir~ was
more than thirty thousand. This has
been one Of the busiest seasons in
the associations history. Things be-
icome more quiet as the summer
months come on, but there are some
Hines &C activity which will go on
Through the entire summer. This is
the season when the baths are more
popular than during the colder wealth
ler. These will be thoroughly over
HAULED and nut in good condition to
island the heavy wear of the summer.
Gymnasium exercises will be conduct
led hrough the summer for those men
who care to indulge, and there are
several men who enjoy this better
Idurins the hot weather than during
the winter.
The Bible classes will be continued
land social work will be made a fea-
lture. For the boys. outings and games
will be in force. Fishing and SWIM
ming parties will be organized, also
bicycle trips, and possibly a camp, if
there should be a demand for it.
Every man in the city should be g.
member of this institution, as it's priv
Iileees are numerous and practical and
lcost the very small sum of SIS per
year. To provide these costs more
than twelve dollars. The building is
kept open every day from 9 a. m.
until 10 p. m, except Sunday. when
the hours are from 2 to 6 .. m.