The daily sentinel., 1907-01-09

ment of Young Mems Christian As
sociation in this city, took deep
ground mt the meeting held last night
in the Congregational church. There
were earnest men and women pre.-
ent, who are determined that this
city shall enjoy all the great benefits
that will come through the establish
ment and operation of first class
Y. VI. C. A..
II The Sentinel has ever been anxious
to forward any movement for the up
building of AN association and has
taken advanced ground at all times
in favor of the movement.
/ Towns in the northern part of the
state, no better able than are the citi-
zens of this city have subscribed sums
aggregating from forty to fifty thou
sand dollars and IL would seem that
the same amount of money could be
raised in this city.
One of the many stumbling blocks
to the movement thus far is the
apathy Of general citizenship, outside
oof the churches. They regard the
matter as one in which the churches
alone are vitality interested.
No greater mistake could be made
than entertaining such judgment
upon the matter. In every city and
town where there is an active and live
association, it has been brought about
Through the live corporation of the
general public. 1t is to be assumed
of course that the churches will fos-
ter the movement and In fact take adj
vanced ground in forwarding the
work, but IL must not be understood
that IL rs the work of the churches
alone.
| A well conducted association is one
of the very best assets that city can
have, II is so regarded and none will
take issue with this assertion. In
quir-ing and intending residents of a
city make the question of an active
Young Mems Christian Association,
one of the deciding features for the
establishment of n residence.
The position taken last night by
Secretary Billheimer of the state as
sociation that there is no use proceed
ing about an organization of an as
socintion, without il is original intent
of those interested in movement TO
build building devoted solely to the
purposes of AN association, Is the po-
sition taken by The Sentinel.
The great interest that we feel i'm
the movement Is that place may he
provided for the young men of the
city to congregatc, for their mental
and physical advancement. The or
iginal purpose is of course their NOR
al uplift and their being taught the
purposes of Christ's religion, the as
socintion being n means whereby they
can be reached more readily perhaps
than through the church.
In well conducted association all
those things are provided that are at
tractive TO the growing young man.
Ilnt.. ha finds ~ Il
athletics, n well equipped gymnasium,
baths and all those means of rclaza-
tion and culture that he would find
elsewhere, paying large sums of
money therefor to enjoy their advant-
age, but through the association pro-
vided with the means of gratifying
his tastes in athletics and other sports
at an almost nominal cost.
Every parent in this city should he
most intensely interested in the move
ment.. IL might be the salvation of
his boy, certainly in It's associations
no boy would be harmed, but many
boy drifting from pillar to post would
find aspiration and inspiration diff
fused through him, the result of his
membership in such an association.
The association, the well equipped
home for such an association, is one
of the great neecds of this city and
its furtherance should never be left
to die for one moment. The man who
feels that he is not Interested and will
fully demands that the church and IL
alone shall provide this great measure
for the fight against pollution and cor
ruption in cities, is the man, il he has
a son who may live to curse the day,
when he frowned on themovemcnt and
denied in hSs support. IL might prove
the safeguard of his children, above
all other measures