The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-23

Rufus N. Rhodes. Miss Cahaland and Mrs. W H. Jeffries were selected and the club was incorporated under the name Of the Boys Reading club. committee or three from the trustees assumed man. agement, became responsible for rooms in the city hall building and on July f. 1903. the Boys club was formally opened. A competent leader placed in charge.
 As the club was something new and the boys who visited the rooms had a good time It did not take long for 1t to get a foothold
 From small group 1t soon became a club of fifty members. From It's first meet ing Tn the city hall building to the pres ent time the club has been open from 9 to 12 In the day and from 6;s0 to at night. with Sabbath afternoon service
 In October, 1903. the growth of the club demanding larger working force a board of control, consisting of twelve ladies. was elected and given full control in the management of the club. The object of the Boys club in Birmingham Is to pre- vent the formation of bad habits, to secure regular attendance at school to help them to right instruction If employed during the day, to assist then In procuring em- ployment, to give them library privileges and otherwise Lelp them to grow into in- telligent and useful citizens. In nearly every community there are boys running
 
 have homes, but rather that they have homes that do not hold them.
 Roaming the streets in the evening as they do they are subject to temptations that must overthrow them unless some thing is done to counteract the bad in- fiuences.
 From the beginning of the work in Bir- mingham. underlying all the pleasure, giv- Ing management of the Boys club, the unswerving principle that character is the supreme consideration has been the thought uppermost and every effort, great or small, has been with a view to its upbuilding.
 Boys clubs throughout the country have received the hearty support of all classes and creeds, and they are able to stand on the results shown through their own specific efforts.
 Clubs are organized under two heads, viz: group and mass clubs The Birm- ingham club is a mass club and is self governed. The membership is growing steadily, the present membership being more than 100 The work is well organ ized and the outlook most encouraging. The club colors are blue and yellow. It's rules and constitution are summed up in three words-'Be a gentleman" Each boy on coming into the club receives his mem bership card, which entities him to all the privileges.
 
 and the club has received great encour- agement from the daily papers, two of them, the Evening News and Daily Led ger having given a regular monthly con- tribution towards its support since it's foundation. The city of Birmingham with its characteristic generosity has given the free use of the rooms occupied by the club for eighteen months With the ex- ception noted the club has been supported entirely by donations from the public which has fallen far short of expenses. With a good regular income the manage ment could make the club a pride to Birmingham as well as a most substan- tial benefit.
 Some things necessary: Funds, gymnas- ium, interesting books for library, month ly subscriptions to the following periodi- calls: The Youths Companion St. Nicho- las, Outing, Success, Men of Tomorrow, The Worlds Work The Young People s Weekly, Everybody's Magazine. Mrs. Louise Williams and Mrs. W. D. Nesbitt were appointed at a recent meet ing of the board to take charge of the finances of the club. The members of the board of control are: Mrs. w. H. Jeffries. president; Mrs. John White, vice presi- dent; Mrs. John B. Wealey, secretary; Mrs. c. s. Bissell, treasurer; Mrs. John s. Jemison, Miss Elizabeth Johnston. Mrs. W. H. Stockham, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. c. A. Nolan, Miss Annie Williams, Mrs. W. D. Nesbitt, Mrs. Sterling Lanier, Mrs. Dinwoodie The members of the advisory board are: Judge N. B. Feagin, Judge Haughton and the Rev Arthur s. Bur Till.