The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-26

was started in 1877. Before that time
boys were allowed to fight out their
loneliness and strangeness and home
sickness alone. As early In 1858 the
state universities Of Michigan ana viz.
ginia organized student bodies of the
y. ". g. A.. but me great growth Of
the work has been OF more recent
years.
Soldiers and Sailors.
Are you q soldier or a saiior3 Then
you know the work. The tents where
you went TO write your letters home
from Cuba, Porto Rico. the Philippines
and various other camps during the
spanish-American War came generals
ly furnished by the Y. NJ. q. A. Last
year they sent out something like so
tons of magazines for your use. ia.
pan can testify TO the efficiency of
the association work IN the army. At
first the government reused to allow
them on the field. Then few were
permitted 20 80. ami wnen the value
of their help was recognized Kuroki
and oyama vent in person TO the tents
and asked for further help of this
kind. while the Emperor sent his per
sonal check for $1,000 to further the
work.
At nearly all the street car barns IN
the United States the Y. M. G. A.
forces nave fitted up workrooms to be
Occupied by conductors and motormen
during their spare moments. There
are over 100000 clerks and mechanics
numbered among the members Of the
organization at this time. The colored
department has more than doubled Its
attendance in the past six years, and
now owns property to the value of
s1SG.oOV, 4 native 1ndian-Arthur II.
Ttbhetts, or walking Horse"-iias or.
ganized more than 40 associations
among his own people, the Sioux.
How 1t Has Grown.
Like the Salvation Army. they. NJ.
c. a. had its origin in England. Two
clerks in a carpet store. lonely coun.
~ boys, who had come to London to
MAKE their way decided to establish
club where young men Of good char
acter could come together for mutual
benefit and entertalnmenE These
two boys were George Williams and
Edward Beaumont. They called a
meeting Of their fellow-clerks and pu.
the plan before them. The idea was
hooted at fiyst, but finally 10 mem.
bar" We're secured. and the first meer.
ing was held in a garrett. That was
ihEe 0, 1874. The club outgrew the
garrett in short time. In seven
years the naovemen, had spread to
Scotland. ireland, Canada and the
United States. The first association
on this side Of the ocean was formed
in Boston in 1851, and in June. 1901, a
jubilee anniversary was held in that
city. Will 5000 delegates from tho
United States and foreign lands. To
day there are in America over AGO..
900 members, and of this number Co..
900 are boys under the age of is. In
the re-. OF the world there are about
100000.
In Many Lands.
On account Of It's practical ideas
the work has spread with great rapid.
Fifty. In Cuba President Palma was one
CT the charter members. In Russia
Prince Peter of oldenburg, brother.
in.law Of the Gear. is the head of the
association. IN Manila 800 Americans
and natives pass daily in and out Of
the clubhouse doors. There are ca;
secretaries from the United States
assisted by 60 native secretaries. at
work in the foreign fields, with CEN
tiers in such places as Buenos Ayers
City OF Mexico. Melbourne, Seoul,
Shanghai, Calcutta ana Myoto. The
governments Of India and Japan not
only give financial aid to tho work. but
recignize the Y, M. c. A. as a potent
and essential factor In the develop.
ment OF their countries.
Money and Memoers.
When money Is needed 1t Is either
given by The public or earned by the
association. They are building new
club house every FIVE days, and It takes
money to do 1t. Sherman. Tex, need.
ed $4,000, and raised Ii in two weeks.
Knoxville, Tenn, recertly raised $40.
900 In a short while. Baltimore rails.
ed 100000 in 30 days, and Rich.
mond. Va, raised s22b OOO In the came
length of time Portland, Ore. now
wants new building, ana, judgins
from the usua enterprising way in
which that city does things, 1t will not
be satisfied With anything short of q
fne one.
Membership is Increased as rapidly
as money is raised. Topeka, Kan. add.
ed 5e2 membere in one day, and De.
re-