The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-15
DEDICATION
OF Y. M. c. A.
Governor Proctor Was Guest
OF Honor.
NEW BUILDING IS OPEN
Splendid Public Project Reached
Final FruiliOn tuesday Ev.
enins.

BennIngtou's fine new Young Mems
Christian association building, com.
pleted and equipped, except for few
finishing touches, was formally opened
aud dedicated Tuesday evening. The
occasion was made memorable by the
presence OF Governor Fletcher ID.
Proctor who made the principal ad.
dress OF the evening and was given n
most cordial reception.
The building was crowded from early
In the evening until the exercises clos.
ed. Everybody inspected the building
from basement 10 roof and the efforts
OF the building committee we're unani
mously approved. The exercises open
ed shortly after 5 O'Clock. Woods or
chestra furnished the music.
Collins NJ. Graves presided and
spoke briefly, describing the move
ment resulting 10 the new building and
the efforts which have brought Il
about OF the s2S ,oOO n cessary Eve
men gave 5000 each. They we're John
S. Holden, WIN. h. Hawks, J. @. Nc
Cullough, +. q. jennings aud J. c.
Colgate Mr. Holden has since died
and Of The other four only Mr. Hawks
vas able 20 be present Letters OF re.
greet at enforced absence and congratu
lation ut the completion OF the work
we're read from TX Governor McCul.
Tough. MIR Jennings and Mr. Colgate.
Secretary Llehy spoke briefly on the
work OF the association In the develop
ment OF men physically, mentally, NOR
ally, socially and relIgiously, but urg
ed IL chiefly rs place where young
men learn 10 do things which will i'm
prove them and thereby conduce TO the
good Of all.
Treasurer II. n. Webster read a IN
ancial statement Of the cost Of the
building showing that OF the pledges
made there has beon collected s9i, Use q.
~. with several hundred dollars still
outstanding. Tho cost OF tbs building
and lot has been 40 even $4,000 while
the equipment has cost abou, sl7OO
more. II the pledges are ali paid their
will be an outstanding debt OF some
$500 TO sl3y0.
State Y. N. q. A. Secretary Hebc OF
Burlington was the next speaker Hc
said that the building Is only the
start Of the work aud that ~hat is put
into IL In flesh and blood Il what vii
count Bennington has the plant aud
IL Is nov up 10 the members Of the as
ISOLATION 10 deliver the goods.
Governor Proctor was greeted with
a burs, Of applause aud his remarks
we're given closest attention. He said
that there has been aud stlll Il acall
for the work OF this association. Its
work Il 10 develop the character Of N.
indl' idual aud thu, 10 upliit aud In
prove the community.
IL has grown into a great power Tor
good throughout the world. Il l.
composed OF thousands OF earnest men
working together for n common end
aud that end the common good. We
are still surrounded by certain degrad
Ing influences. The saloons and worse
are still present. The churches arr
not doing IL all and there l. room TOT
more work. The Y. NJ. e a. Il teach
ing clean life and high Ideals. IL /,
not To tako the place Of any church
but each can supplement aud assisl
the other.
The association Il building for the
future. IL strengthens the boys an
young men and helps start them 10 ID,
way Of responsible aud honest citizen
ship.
Governor Proctor paid high tribute
TO the late John \. Holden snd re-
minded his hearers how Mr. Iloldea',
generosity aud that Of others a. 10
s,Anced in the Y. NJ. G. a. building,
might 20 on having an influence on ID,
future Tor priceless good.
"Now that you have the building
said the governor, ..''it IL 10 your own
hands. Ia order 10 show the stun yol
are made Of, put your shoulder 10 tb,
wheel and lift faithfully and persist
emily. The association Va yours and
IL will be strong or weak as you max,
IT,"
During the afternoon the new build
Ing was open exclusively for the ladies
10 charge Of the auxiliary. The pleas
snt weather brought out an unusuall.
) large number who took advantage o
the opportunity 10 inspect the hand
some quarters OF the association. Al
: Z o'clock Governor aud Mrs Proctor
returned from their automobile triI
, and during the next hall hour wor'
given reception.
l