The Washington herald., 1907-11-22


town, and that is very soon. The immi-
grant Is met at the docks or at Ellis
Island and guided safely past the pitfalls
which are set for him in this land OF
liberty. The word immigrant repre-
sents whole department Of association
activity in those cities Of the East where
the great food Of Europe's young men
pours into the country The fact that
the Commissioner OF immigration Of the
United States will be one OF the speakers
IN this convention is testimony OF the
good that is being accomplished IN this
field.
The railroad branch OF the Young Mems
Christian Association is an example OF
what these association crusaders have
done IN one special line Railroad men
I've on the road. and one end OF every
run IS away from home. When the man
Is at that end Of the run he must be
amused Time was when he sought the
oarrooms and dives. That meant wrecked
trains. The y. NJ c. A. solved the prob
lem for him. Not only does il give him
every advantage OF club and library. but
II throws him among his fellows where
ne can talk shop 10 ,4is hearts content.
4he great importance OF this feature OF
the association work Is thoroughly ap-
preciated by the railroad companies.
which give literally for the erection OF
buildings
The railroad branch Of the association
has grown, until now there are 2s5 as
sociations in the country. reaching s5
per cent OF the railroad mileage and
having more thar $1,000 active railroad
men enrolled as members. The three
essentials OF railroading are good road
beds. good rolling stock. and men with
clear heads. So ady hands. and loyal
hearts. The Yong Mems Christian As
sociation IS interested in the last-named
branch Of the equipment. Fifteen years
ago these associations were quartered
in corners Of railroad stations or incon-
venient rented buildings Now l65 have
their own houses, well equipped and es-
pecially designed.
Altogether these buildings cost more
than S,0o0c0o. Of which the men paid one
fourth and the railroads three-fourths
The magnificent new terminal station in
washington, the finest railroad station In
the world. was built with especially de-
Christian Association. The EMPLOYEES Of
twenty-seven railroad systems VIII have
the benefit Of the new railroad Young
Mems Christian Association building re-
Gently dedicated in S. Louis II stands
near the St Louis terminal station and
was erected at a cost OF a quarter Of a
million dollars given by Miss Helen
Gould. Mrs. Russell Sage has given
$Sj,od0 for new building for the rail-
road branch Of Long Island City. II NJ
Flagier has given a 10000 buHding at
St Augustine. Fla. The Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad is now erecting four
Young Mems Christian Association build
ings- This is one sphere Of activity in
which the new crusaders have been vic
torlous.
The work has been carried into the
army AID nav with great zeal In Wash
ington, where there are always many
soldiers and sailors, a service branch of
the association has been organized. and
army posts are fruitful fields for this
work. Y ". c. A tents have been
striking features OF the field maneuvers
OF the State troops in every State In the
Union for the past few years. From one
OF these field tents last summer an aver
age Of 1850 letters a day were mailed
by the soldiers. Writing paper was given
free, soft drinks and watermeluns were
for sale. and all the newspapers end
were there 10 be read.
The North American Association has
not confined its activity to home fields.
The crusading secretaries have been
trained in the work here and have then
been sent all over the world. Seventy
American trained secretaries are now
engaged in organizing and managing as
sociations abroad. These are principally
in China, Japan. Korea. India. and Latin
America. These seventy secretaries are
supported by American funds contributed
through the Y NJ c A. The Washington
Association alone provides sole support
for four foreign secretaries in the Orient.
The growth Of the Y. NJ. c. a. n the
past few years is little short OF marvel
Gus. Since 1900 the membership in the
North American associations has increased
from $4,000 to $1,000 The value of the
buildings is now so. 100000 greater than it
was seven years ago. Last year alone
the expenditure for improvements was
over s11.0oo.eo0. The gymnasium classes
have more than doubled in membership in
the same period, increasing from $1,000
10 I6l, 900, while in the association schools
the students who are supplying their lack
of education have increased from $500
TO 5000
The purpose Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association is TO make young men
stronger in body. stronger In mind and
stronger in morals To this end It en-
gymnastics and teaches how to
use the muscles. II encourages study and
teaches how TO use the brain and hands.
Il encourages morals and teaches how to
increase moral power. The religious part
of the work is not neglected. but IL is a
religion that does not repel the most full
blooded youth. The Y. NJ. c. a cru
saders are determined foes of long-visaged
Christianity. They believe in stronger
men. praying not for tasks equal to their
powers. but for powers equal TO their
tasks