The Washington herald., 1907-11-22
THE YOUNG MEMS CRUSADE.
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Chiefs and leaders Of the young mems
great crusade meet IN Washington to-day
TO hear words OF inspiration from twenti-
eth century Peters and 10 hold counsel
OF war with modern Tancreds II is
not 10 redeem the Holy Sepulcher from
the dominion OF the infidels. but 10 res
cue young men from physical weak
ness, mental darkness, and moral error
that the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation is fighting a worldwide battle.
As church and state were so closely
linked in those crusades OF ten centuries
ago. so to-day the moral forces Of re-
liglon and government are linked In this
crusade But with this difference. the
modern young mems crusade. has no or
ganized connection with either church
OF state. While II Is independent and
apart. il is trying 10 make better citizens
for the state and better religionists for
the church.
In this. the thirty-sixth international
convention, delegates from every part OF
the world viii tell OF work accomplished
and plans viii be made 20 further that
work in every quarter OF the globe. Pres
ideut Roosevelt will receive the delegates
az the White House and wish them God
speed. William Jennings Bryan will ad-
dress the convention on the subject.
Christ in the life OF men" The Hon.
James Bryce, the British Ambassador 20
the United States, VIII represent the Old
World in this crusaders council. Bishops.
doctors of divinity. and missionaries viii
take part IN behalf Of almost every sect
and division OF the Christian church
Apart from these men OF great power
and prominence IN statecraft and re-
lgion. there viii be a great body Of
men who belong TO a new profession.
special crusaders, Knights OF the Cross.
who have dedicated themselves 10 this
special crusade for young men, body
Of men known 10 the world as Young
Mems Christian Association secretaries
They are crusaders. too, for their Chris
tIanity is militant. They are as devoted
as any self-abasing ascetic Of the dark
ages. but the cardinal principle OF their
code is self-abnegation. rather than self
humiliation. They do not magnify them
selves by believing that the best way 70
serve God is TO starve their own bodies
They are given, heart and soul 20 that
self-f0rgetfuiness which is found in help
ing others. This is the manner OF men
who meet in Washington to-day IN a
great international convention.
The Young Hens Christian Association
presents so many phases of activity TO
the inquirer that II Is dinicult 10 define IT'S
scope. Its purpose is, however. 20 help
young men 10 be better In body. mind.
and soul. 1t is defantly opposed 10 the
long-faced idea Of religion. \ building
where there is great gymnasium. where
there is a room for wrestling matches,
another for boxing bouts. billiard room.
and almost every other form Of amuse-
ment, may not agree with the ideas OF
some good people about what should be
grouped under the heading Of Christian
Work" But the Y. NJ. <. 4. has found
that these things in themselves are
healthy and wholesome; that they appeal
10 red-blooded boys and men; that n they
are found only among improper surround
ings they will attract the young men into
dangerous environments. So the associa-
ton says 1t is better to have a billiard
table with a prayer meeting accompani-
ment than a saloon with billiard table
on the side.
The work which these crusaders are
trying TO do in ali sorts OF ways is gener-
ally called the "social-service movement"
Il is this way which has resulted in the
organization Of thrift societies. working
mems clubs. cooperative shop lunches
without beer. building and loan societies,
al TF-b ola
street boys clubs. public baths. Juvenile
courts, public Fairgrounds, and the like.
Many such movements have been entirely
independent of the Y. NJ. c. A, OF course,
but somewhere the association is respJn-
sible for all OF these things and more.
Education is another field where the
association is doing a great work. Six
sevenths Of the ten-year-old boys now in
the schools of the country will quit school
before they are fourteen. They go 10
work. The public schools rarely give
them any industrial training. II they are
fortunate they may get into some appren-
ticeship which viii add them 10 the ranks
of skilled Workmen, but the great ma
JoTity Will work haphazard They need
vocational training. The industries Of the
country. growing faster than ever before.
cry out for trained men. The boy who
quits school at twelve will begin TO real
iZe at eighteen what he has missed.
II he be in any OF the large cities he
may turn 10 the Y. NJ c. A. for help,
in the confidence that it will meet his
own efforts half way. Night schools, late
afternoon schools. and classes of all
kinds are conducted by men who are
joined to this new crusade for young
men. In the association classes. and at
very small expense. the Office boy may
fit himself for the position Of stenog-
raphel. or the salesman for a place as
accouI tant. Glasses in mechanical draw
ing. in eng neering. in electrical science,
in English in journalism, in almost
everything may be found under the roofs
Of the association buildings Of the coun-
try.
These crusaders understand the i'm
portance of an early attack upon the
enemy. The boy in the street is picked