Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-30
BUILDING DEDICATED
7. NJ. G. A. Headquarters
Formally Opened.
LARGE CROWD PRESENT
THRoNa OF ADMIRERS LISTEN
TO SPEECHES.
Local People Show Appreciation Of
Great Work Done for Male
Population.
LARGE CROWD PRESENT

Population.
The service Of dedication of the new
building Of the Young Mems Christian As
socAation on G street northwest between
1'h ana 18th took place at noon today be-
rore throng Of people which occupied all
OF the available space in the reception halls
on the first floor Of the building At IL 40
O'CLOCK the musical program by a section
OF the United States Marine Band was
Played and which was az follows: Omitted
states Forever, Hearts and Flowers. -
Angels Serenade." THE Palms." inter-
mezzo. "Cavaileria Rusticana." march, "On-
ward. Christian Association"
commissioner Henry L. West Mr.. John
Joy Edson and Judge Arson 8. Taylor &C.
s suMfa seats upon the front row facing the
1poahers. promptly at IL O'clock Mr.. g. W.
WoOnward mounted the platform on which
were seated Rev. Thomas Duncan. DID.
T Tha . 1.n1snop w F. Mcdowell Of Chicago
being led -by-Mr Percy 81 Fo.tar ImT,1s
Ssan.on j. Peelie read the Goth Psalm In
pace OF Mr.. William J. Rhees. one ~ The
u whe, ,, members of the local association
Nm, Wno wasrunabie to be present on account Of
illness. Rev. J. g. Butler. DID. pastor ~
n nnI Place Memorial Church. ofYered
meeting. ."eN SUPPRESSED the
PRESIDENT Woodward's Address.
Mr.. Woodward said.
- io4o' In the city Of London. Ceorpe
"iiliams. then a clerk in a draner,s &C.
.aonsnment. organized the first Younr
men Christian Association Of Graf
britain Six years later the first ascot
alton an IN North America was Organized. in
s sns cry OF Boston followed closely by an
tr0ol
IN June. 1852, through the efforts Of
three young men-Wflltam Charncev
IIa ag Of blessed memory: William ].
Knees, who is Ill, and Thomas Duncan
whose presence and Office dientfv thi:
occasion today-the Young Mems Chris
tian Association Of the city OF Washfn1-
ton Ton vas organized, the first meeting hav-
Ing been held in a building which stiIl
stands at the corner of 10th and % streets
northwest.
=, After years Of faithful work in small
1869. into excellent rooms in the then new
Lincoln Hall building, at 9th and D streets
northwest. where with George A. Hall as
secretary much good work was done. The
failure OF the company owning the hall
caused the loss to the association Of its
nome. and 1t was compelled to take rented
rooms on e street near 9th
Building Purchased.
Under the leadership of Mr. Theodore
A. Harding, who became general secretary
in 1881, the building on New York avenue
was purchased. and a gymnasium added
to the equipment there afforded.
Succeeding Mr.. Harding came Mr..
James E. Pugh. whose noble Iabors on
behalf of the young men Of the nations
death in October. 1895, three months after
the New York avenue building had been
destroyed by fire.
Mr.. woodward recited the subsequent
reconstruction Of the building and the
canvass for permanent building fund.
The purchase Of the property now bccu-
gave the association home at once. but
provided the additional ground upon
which the new structure has been erected.
Free Of Mortgage Indebtedness.
He then said:
THE building is dedicated entirely free
Of mortgage indebtedness. and when our
subscriptions are paid In full we shall
have sufficient to liquidate every obligation
incurred in its construction and furnish
ing
but we do not want the citizens OF
Washington to feel that we have come to
an end Of our efforts for an enlarged place
In the life OF the community.
Awaiting ourselves of the opportunities
now presenting themselves. we are led con-
stantly to the consideration of greater de-
mand for service for the young men Of the
national capital. We propose to devote our
old building adjoining this to a boys de-
partment. and we should have in the near
future q fund Of $4,000 to remodel this
building to make 1t adapted in every way
to this important work. which we have
long recognized. but were not able to equip;
a building for the colored young men Of the
city, to cost $4,000; building for army
work at Fort Myer. $25 900; sumemr va
cation resort. $4,000; boat club building.
$40 900; at least two branches for different
sections of the city, $4,000.
I'VE do not mean to say that we expect
to accomplish all OF these things in the i'm
mediate future, but 1t Is our earnest hope
that our citizens will bear them in mind as
needs for the further advancement of the
work of the association.
1T should also be remembered that the
association never aims to be entirely self
supporting. To do this. the dues would
have to be placed beyond the reach Of the
average young man. and IT Is the practice
in every city to secure certain portion
Of the annual current support of the as
sociations from contributions of the busi-
ness men of the community; the amount
varying from 80 to 30 per cent of the total
expenses. Our own association returns
from membership dues Is above that OF
most associations, being about 20 per cent,
leaving 30 per cent as deficit TO raise
from the friends of the association.
AFTER years of praying and waiting. we
meet today to dedicate a building for the
Young Mems Christian Association OF
Washington, District OF Columbia. COM
mensurate with the present and future
needs of the young men In our capital city.
It cannot be otherwise than that each
heart cries out to God: We thank Thee!
We thank Thee! that we live to see this
day.
have the opportunity Of inspecting for
yourselves today. Is the result OF the work
Of many men and women, both In this gem
Grafton and that which has preceded it. 1t
stands as q monument to the members OF
the association and their leaders during the