Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-19
RESIGNS IRONY MICA.
Lyman E. Pierce to Leave
Local Organization.
HIS HEALTH IMPAIRED
EFFICIENT GENERAL SECRETARY
TO TAKE NEEDED REST.
May Take Up Special Work for Inter
national committee-His Labors
in the Local Field.
HIS HEALTH IMPAIRED

Mr.. Lyman L. Pierce, for the past five
years general secretary of the Young Mems
Christian Association of this city, has
rendered his resignation to the board of
directors, to take effect December 81, be-
cause he feels that his health requires an
absolute relief from the great burdens of
the general secretaryship. Mr. Pierce pre-
scented his resignation at meeting of the
board held some weeks ago, but 1t was
hoped at that time that he might be per-
suaded to reconsider It. The board voted
him vacation of two months, and Mr..
Pierce has spent some weeks away from
the city.
Mr.. Pierce was not In robust health when
he came to Washington, January 1, 1901,
and within a year from that time he suf-
fered an attack of typhoid fever. During
his illness his life was frequently despaired
of and he suffered many relapses. Almost
nine months were lost from his desk and
after his return he was greatly hampered
by the facilitating effects of his long sick
ness. Although having every appearance
of good health, Mr.. Pierce has suffered
greatly in the last two years from nervous
physician has insisted that hts only hope of
good health in the future Is 10 have COM
plete change of duties, III He has made no
plans but 1t is known that the interna tfonal
committee in New York has greatly desired
him for special work, and that he has also
had during the past year or more number
of good business offers. Before he accepts
any position, however, he purposes to take
long rest.
The association leaders here and else
where consider that Mr.. Pierce has made
one of the largest contributions ever made
to association work by any secretary, in
the successes which have been achieved by
him and under his leadership in the past
FIVE years.
Work for Local Association.
Mr. Pierce came to Washington after
several years of association work in Den
yer, Omaha, Cedar Rapids; in state work
in Ohio and at Trenton, N. ]. His ability,
training and experience found fullest scope
in the Washington association, which had
tn. year before his coming moved into the
Columbia Athletic Club building. which was
Ger sidered at that time entirely sufficient
for a splendid work covering many future
years. His ambition for the Washington
association was that its influence might be
more than local; that 1t might become
mighty power in the world of men. He set
himself with all of the powers at his COM
nand to the development of the associa-
ton work In Washington. The conspicuous
result of these years of labor is the mag
nihcent building recently dedicated. In the
erection and finishing of this building the
large sum of $500, 344.62 has actually been
raised, an amount greater than any pre-
y.ous sum given In the history or Wasning
to1 for such purpose. The solid construc-
ton of the building, its adaptation to asso,
citation work and the good taste displayed
in the decorations and furnishings of the
interior make 1t the model association home.
In the raising Of this fund and In all of
the fmportant work of designing and con-
structing the building Mr.. Pierce's Initiative
and direction has constantly been present
Inaugurated Religious Movement.
The constructive genius of Mr.. Pierce has
not. however, been confined to the one
achievement realized in the completion OF
the new building, great as this one enter
prise appears The five years have been
epoch-making years in other important d.
rections The first step taken was the inau-
euration of the big theater meetings,
which have illustrated Mr.. Pierce'ss genius
for organization and his capacity to do what
were hitherto considered impossible things.
The work of presenting the claims OF the
gospel to great bodies of men has never
been done on so large scale in Washington
and in such a thorough-going way as 1t has
during the last four years at these theater
meetings.
Another notable advance is that enlarged
vision OF possible service to the young men
of this country and the orient which has led
the Washington association to place Its
own representatives at work in China, India
and the United States. Four such represen-
tatives are now supported by the local as
ISOLATION.
In National Affairs.
In giving to the nation and the world the
benefit of his wide experience Mr.. Pierce
has been most unselfish. Last year he was
prevailed upon to accept the secretaryship
of the Employed Officers Association of the
North American Young Mems Christian AS
sociations, and his service to the whole
brotherhood was notable. The Niagara con-
ference of 1906 represented the most unique,
progressive and broad-gauge conference
idea ever put forth by any religious organ
ization in that experts in the field of sociol-
ogy. education, religion and ethics were in
vited to make a f1rst-hand investigation of
the Young Mems Christian Associations and
report their findings with recommendations
as to efficiency. The results were most In
teresting. and following this service Mr..
Pierce received the formal recognition of
the national organization one of its most
able executives and far-sighted leaders.
Mr.. Pierce will leave the Washington as
ISOLATION with the esteem and high regard
of Its officers and members. He has en-
deared himself to all with whom he has
come In contact, and not only has his per-
sonal influence extended to the membership
of the association, but also to hundreds Of
men outside of the membership and he has
been O. valued counselor. for secretaries