The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-11
BRIGHT FOR Y. M. c. A.
CITIZENS SHOW MUCH ENTHUSIASM
FOR The PROPOSITION
ceorqe v. AIbaugh Donates MOntOuf
House for Headquarters

Tho committee appointed to feel
nnlsp of the people of Westmin-
aS .or with regard to the establishment
sc, voung Mems Christian Associa-
VI :on " in This city made their report at
uVm moating of citizens in Odd Fellows
All Monday evening. The report
was Was read by W. Frank Thomas, CHAIR
man Of the committee, and IS as fol-
lows: u.. A.
nuhlic meeting of the citizens OF
H.nstminster held on November 23,
:. n,ac voted that a committee be ap-
nointnd who. with the chairman of
,To meeting, should take into con-
sidpration plans for the organization
Of movement in Westminster for
tbo religious. moral, intellectual and
,bvcical Improvement of our young
mon The committee was directed to
call a mass meeting and make their
ranort as soon as they could reach
an agreement as to a plan and could
snooest feasible measures for carry
ing it out.
your committee are most happy to
he able to report at this early day,
both because we were of one mind
&c 70 the form the organization should
take and because unexpected relief
came to us as to the most difficult
feature of the proposition, the pro-
vision OF suitable building.
1t is scarcely necessary to spend
any time in this report upon the con-
sderations that have led to this move
ment: they are so patent to all. In
this beautiful city. blessed with so
many noble gifts of nature, crowning
the summit of a prospect unsurpasS-
ed in all this land, we have much to
love ana to rejoice in. We have many
churches and Sunday schools; we
have excellent public schools and an
institution of higher education which
has carried the name of Westminster
all over the United States and beyond; /;
We have the small beginnings of a
public library; we have a most excel
lent fire department.; We have good
water and good light. But no concert
ed movement has yet been made for
the greatest public good to the most
important factor in the future pros
perity and happiness of the commun-
ity And it must be regarded by the
thoughtful as a reproach to the high
standing OF our community that
in this city we have 40 place of con-
course, for innocent recreation and
improvement, where vacant hour
may be improved or an evening be
spent profitably by our young men.
They must walk the streets, or go to
saloon, or stay at home. 1t will
be admitted without debate that this
state Of things should be remedied
1t is public dmand for public i'm
prOyement.
The committee after a full consid-
eratiCn of all the suggestions made
have unanimously concluded to rec
ommend the organization Of Young
Mems Christian Association in West
minister as the simplest, the easiest
and the most promising way of meet
ing this demand. The Y. NJ. c. A. is
no experiment. 1t has been operating
many years in all sorts of communi-
ties and has gathered a large fund OF
experience and methods which any
community may avail itself Of, and
yet it is flexible enough to admit OF
modification to suit the peculiar needs
OF the most sihe liar community.
We shall be able under this organi-
zatlon to do Christian work of the
most practical kind. Wholly removed
from the sphere OF doctrinal contro-
VefSy all christians may here work
together for the common good. Meet
lngs will be regularly held at hours
not III conflict with regular religious
services IN the churches, but no ism
Viii be preached there nor will any
De forced to attend. So with the Bible
Nofh and other more practical kinds
OF Christian effort. It will be for all
"Id conducted so that all may freely
PSIliclpate. Then this organization
VIII endeavOr to promote the intel
NCtu2l benefit of young men by means
u night classes for instruction in
branches of elementary education, by
special lectures on more advanced
loplcs, by library and reading room
anu by popular lectures and enter
tdlnments. Much will be made of the
Pnyslcal man. We expect to have g
lGily equipped gymnasium, a bowling
piiey, billiard tables, tennis courts
""il held, and provision for all limo.
'eIt recreations, indoor and outdoor
III llne we aim in this movement tt
Make and keep cur young men Chris.
uo.s and to provide them means fol
aetlng as christians in all their rela
uoiS OF lie, to pray, to sing, to think
anu 10 play as christians.
ror the accomplishment of this OBJ
isCt S we have two needs; we need {
'u..iulllg and we need man.
AS TO the building, the committee
mas tne great good fortune and pleas
u'e OF reading the following letter:
y Westminster, Nov. 80, 1908.
heV' T. H. Lewis,
Dear Doctor: | have followed will
yep interest the discussion now goins
IN our community in regard to {;
- - M. I. A. for Westminster. l bes
" say that it will give me pleasur,
NJ NJ give the property known as tn,
contour House for this purpose, i
y your committee think that it can b,
Sseu and maintained to an advantag,
'o1 n, Ihe purpose of a Y. M. G.. A.
oit. ne only conditions annexed to thi
slt are that at least $6,500 be raiset
or. rt Detterments and to make the prop
IL ifiV suitable for the work, and tha
- .he property shall at any tim,
th thase 10 be used for a Y. M. C. A.
bn;n atn 1t shall revert to me and m,
Yours,
GEO. w. ALBAUGH.
I'VE we are sure the whole communit.
thin iii JOIN in cordial appreciation o
th i' splendid and timely gift. 1t il
'ne most signal DuhIic henafaction h,
ohe man in the history of Westmin
s;s, s;er. The conditions of the gift ar
M. ipie and reasonable and it ough