The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-04-12
MAY MEAN STATE MEETING.
Y. N. C. A. CONVENTION MAY
COME TO NORFOLK.
THEY HOPE TO ORGANIZE HERE

otaIe secretary oimonuS anu W. w.
Hughes Of Central City, Formerly Of
Norfolk, Spent Sunday In Town
Accusing Enthusiasm.
The state convention OF the Young
Mems Christian association of Ne
braska may be held in Norfolk next
February II the convention comes to
Norfolk It will be brought here with
a view OF arousing strong sentiment
In the city favorable TO organizing
branch of the association In Norfolk
and equipping 1t with a suitable home,
The Commercial club will be asked to
assist in bringing the convention to
Norfolk
The Young Mems Christian associa-
ton was represented In the city Sun
day by e. ]. Simonds, assistant secre-
tary of the state organization, and by
w. w. Hughes, formerly Of Norfolk
but now field secretary of the Y. Nj. G.
A. at Central City. Two meetings
were held in the city Sunday, a union
meeting In the evening at the Meth
odist church and special meeting for
men in the afternoon at the Baptist
church.
Norfolk people who were present at
the Methodist church Sunday evening
had the work of the association
brought strikingly before them by aid
of stereopticon Pictures touching
on the work of the organization in
Nebraska showed what the Y M. G. A.
is doing in cities of Norfolk's size and
what 1t could do in Norfolk.
Mr.. Hughes returned to Central City
but Assistant Secretary Simonds will
remain in Norfolk until Tuesday noon
taking the matter of the convention up
with the Commercial club directors in
the morning. The city in which the
convention is held is expected to en-
terrain the visiting delegates and to
meet the expenses Of the convention
amounting to a little over 5000.
The annual state convention of the
| Y. M. G.. A. occurs in February, the
place of meeting being determined
some months previous by the execu-
tive board of the organization. "Our
aim" said Mr.. Simonds in Norfolk,
is to hold the meeting in some city
whore the association has not obtained
a foothold but where the situation is
strongly favorable to the organization
of a local association on a substantial
basis. Experience shows that the
state meeting creates a spirit of en-
thusiasm among local christian work
ers and paves the way for a success
full campaign for forming a local as.
ISOLATION and placing it in suitable
home. Last winter we met at Column
bus and Columbus will soon have an
association working in a $50, 900 build
ing.
THE Y. NJ. c. A. opposes the orga
nization of branch in any city where
provisions are not made for a building
and for the equipment necessary In
the successful carrying out of its work
An unmortgaged and properly equip
ped Y. Nj. c. A. building insures ar
active association and effective work
Nebraska cities the size of NorfolE
house their associations in twenty-five
and thirty-five thousand dollar homes
Experience in Norfolk and elsewhere
has proved that christian associations
not properly provided for at the time
If their organization are apt to prove
unsuccessful and in time be given up
I'm deciding on the location of the
convention the possibility of effecting
a local organization and the evident
spirit of the citizens towards such al
organization are considered. This veal
Nebraska City and Kearney, as wei
as Norfolk, have been proposed as
convention places. No Y. M. C. A. or
CARNATIONS exist in any of these cities
The convention last year at Columbus
was attended by some $50 delegates
The convention as rule comprised
a program of four days"
For some time sentiment has bCel
expressed in Norfolk favorable to al
organization that would furnish gath
ering place other than the street t.
the young men of the city.