The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-05-03
The Reading Room and Gymnasium.

For some years il has been the
thought of the pastor that there should
be something doue ia the way Of pro.
v!ding special privileges for the young
people Of the towns where | have
served as pastor, but there have al
woys been conditions which prevented
the carrying out of my purpose. Upon
my first arrival In Pennington as a
pastor | felt that at last the oppor-
tnnily had come to work out my plan,
aud in much Of my work there has
been the cnd of a reading room and
gymnasium for the men and BOYS Of
the town irrespective Of church ullil.
alton. 1t IS now an established fact.
Tuesday, May 7th, will be opening
night, at which time all men of the
town and surrounding country arc
very cordially invited to be present
and help to give this new enterprise u
good start.
The place: The large, light, cool,
(warm in winter) basement of the NJ.
L. Church is AN ideal place for this
plan to be worked out. Il is near the
square, sufficiently large aud light, and
in summer when others are exceeding
warm, the pastor has found, from hav.
ing his study in the basement, that it
is cool and delightful.
The plan briefly told The Reading
Room will be opened to all men and
boys Of the town each afternoon and
night from l2m. to 9:3O p. m, ex.
cept that on Sunday night it will not
be opened, but will be on Sunday af-
'eruoous. Here will be found daily
papers, leading magazines, sporting
news and religious papers; among the
books VIII be found those Of reference,
histories, biographies, humor, classics,
and story books of various sorts, but
all of high grade, yet not dry or un-
interestingi in the library will be also
found books of advice, counsel, direc-
Iion and inspiration for tho man or
boy who desires to succeed in life,
There will also be few table games,
rs chess, etc.
In addition to the Reading Room
we are putting in Gymnasium and
shower bath which will be opened at
the same hours, but only to those who
have a membership card from the
Brotherhood. This membership card
can be secured by vote of the Brother
hood and the payment of s1O0 and
the signing OF the constitution, which
requires that each member pay the
sum of 25c per month in advance,
which will entitle the person to free
uss of the gymnasium and shower
bath with towel included and the cir
culating privilege of tho library. In
the gymdasium will be found dumb |
bells, Indian clubs, punching bag,
parallel bars, boxing gloves, chest de.
velopers aud other things as needed
and possible to put in.
There will be a number who do not
care for the privilege of the gymnasium
or bath, and we trust that such will
remember that the Reading Room is a
public benefit aud that there Is no way
OF paying the running expenses except
by the membership fees and monthly
dues as above, and that they are aid
ing in splendid work by such con.
lributions even though they do not
care TO accept the added privilege of
he gymnasium aud bath.
After the 7th of May 1t need not be
said "There is no where | can 60 aud
be benefited or entertained" for with
Ihe games and books and gymnasium
there is chance for all and we trust
hat this will be very cordially received
and constantly used by all.