Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-20
Y. N. C.. A. FOUNDER HONORED
Splendid Memorial Erected to Late Sir
George Williams.
PLACED IN CRYPT IN ST. PAUL's
Near Spot Where First Association
Was NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. He
slowed for His Efforts in
Behalf of Public.

LONDON, Dec. 19.-(Special )-Marked
honor has recently been paid to the late
Sir George Williams. founder of the Young
Mems Christian association. A splendid
monument erected to his memory now
stands in the crypt of st. Paul's cathedral
"a fitting site, as it was in close proximity
to this spot that the original foundation
of the Young Mems Christian association
took place. The association, which began
on a capital of 50, today numbers S2O,6i3
members and controls buildings and real
estate to the value of more than $5O,OCO,Wo.
It is one of the most flourishing organiza-
lions in the world. despite the fact that
hosts of other attempts on similar lines
have proved utter failures.
TO the personality of Sir George Williams
himself is attributed a large part OF the
wonderful success of the Young Mems
Christian association, and vet, though his
name Is So widely known, he always kept
the personal clement in the background.
After his death 1t was found that every
particle of his correspondence had been
destroyed. as If he deprecated publishing
his achievement to the world.
Though the Young Mems Christian as
sociation rests today on so solid a founda-
ton. II was not always in such an Cnviable
position, and. he'd it not been for the
personal self-sacrifice of its founder, 1t is
very doubtful II the organization would
have weathered many of the severe crises
through which it passed. The scene Of its
beginning was an upper room of a big dry
goods store-that OF Hitchcock & Rogers
which stood in st. Paul's church yard in
1874. Young Williams was a clerk in that
establishment. and, though but 20 years
of age, he eXerted a powerfully religious
Influence on those with whom he came in
contact. He persuaded several fellow clerks
to Join him in prayer orce or twice a week
I'm the dormitory of the establishment, most
of the clerks in those days, as now, sleep
ing in
Work Begins to spread.
with reference TO the morality of his
early comrades young Williams did not
speak in very flattering terms, and he at
tributed his success as much TO the nom
attendance of certain of his companions as
to the presence of others. When he had
converted all of his fellow clerks. not
even excepting some bitter opponents who
were down on that milksop religious bust
ness" the founders of the association
twelve in number-turned their attention
to outside conquests. A Mutual Improve
ment society and a Young Mems Mission
airy society came into being, and the In
fluence of the employees Of Hitchcock &
Rogers on other firms in London became
quite marked. Theirs was perhaps the firsi
attempt In England 10 protect the interests
of shop assistants. and out of that early
movement has grown the great Shop As
~sistants' union of today.
AS to the actual founding OF the Younl
Mems Christian association as such. I
came into being at a meeting held on Jun
6. 1874. with a eapital-collection on tn
spot-of Ss.12; and the first circular letter
addressed to young employees in London
was posted a few days later. young VII
liams and his friends having scarcely SUI