Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1906-03-15
OUR AIM.


issue to present to the people OF
this vicinity, come interesting facts
and opinions on the Young Mems
Christian Association; to give them
an idea of the place it has made for
itself; to show how it is regarded
by the eminent and thoughtful
men Of our country; what an in
fuence it can have in a community;
to show what it means to the bust
nessman to have a Y. M. c. A.,
and to arouse an interest in it
among our own people and make
them see that they are benefited
by the association and owe q duty
to it.
From beginning OF twelve men
sixty.two years ago, the association
has grown until at the present time
there are 100000 members in
North America alone, and 800, 900
more in other countries. 1t has
gone from Great Britain to India,
Ceylon, Australia, Manila, Homo
lulu. So great is it's hold that it
has been said, "If the Y. M. G. A.
were taken away similar institu-
ton would have to be organized to
take its place." The world needs
it.
The growth OF the association is
marvellous, and it is because it has
supplied SO exactly the needs Of the
time for the spiritual, intellectual
and physical upbuilding Of men,
that it has rapidly grown in num-
bers, thereby gaining strength
With its three-fold purpose it has
helped men wherever it has been
established; given new tone to a
community; made the business
man see the advantage of employ
ing men with training and pur-
pose in life, and has thus gained a
place in the world that no other
club or organization could hold.
The government of the U. s. has
appreciated it to such an extent
that it has been established in army
barracks and naval stations, wher-
ever the U. s. has her men. The
great railroad organizations, not
given to idle philanthropy, see the
benefit and value of the associa-
ton, and they have been establish
ed all along their lines. They find
the association has SO greatly i'm
proved the condition Of their men,
and naturally enhanced the value
of their services, that now they
consider it necessary part of
their improvements. They now
have one hundred and ninety-seven
associations, with a membership
of7O,OOO.
Street railway corporations have
begun to see the value, and are be-
ginning to establish Young Mems
Christian Associations for the use
and management of their men.
The big manufacturing estab-
lishments, numbering camps and
miners camps are following and are
giving their men association priv
ileges.
And why is it all SO? Because
it is plain, practical business in
vestment. Whatever tends to i'm
prove the conditions of men, i'm
proves their services. and this is
just what the Young Mems Chris
tian Association has done.
Look up the definition Of educa-
ton and you will find it is the
moral, mental and physical devel-
opment of man. What are the pur-
poses OF the Y. NJ. G. A.? What
are it's very foundations? The
moral, mental and physical devel-
Opment of it's members. 1t makes
better men, better citizens, and our
country needs them-and our own
town needs them-needs the help
OF the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION.
And just the same our own as
ISOLATION needs the individual
help and support of every BUSH
ness man and thoughtful citizen.
1t has been working against heavy
odds-against lack of interest, lack
of funds and support, and has been
exposed to much criticism, for no
~,unak ,nc.lec co- ~ cko.,- IT.