Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-03

I. NJ. C. A. workers were given high
praise by William H. Taft in his
speech in St. Paul Sunday, at the
dedication of the association building.
Mr.. Taft began by saying he had
grown into the habit of talking to
audiences at the dedicatory exercises
of new Y. M. C. A. buildings. He had
taken part in such exercises, be said,
at Dayton, Omaha, Seattle, Shanghai,
Hongkong, Springfield, Mass, ana
Manila, and on the Isthmus OF Fan
ANA.
81 don't think" he said, there is
any institution outside OF churches
and schools that does more work OF
a directly beneficial character IN
strengthening the moral fiber OF young
men, in guiding them into proper and
successful paths in life, and in max
ing them good, moral Christian cltl-
zens than this association, whose mag
nificent building we dedicate today"
MI. Taft added that he had to go TO
the Philippines before he really under
stood why the Y. M. G. A. filled such
necessary want in all the commun'
tiles in which it existed.
One of the first advantages which
they. M. C. A. presents in Mr. Ia1ts
opinion, is the opportunity for wealthy
men to aid their unfortunate fellow
men by contributions: He said:
81 have known wealthy men, anX-
ious to give but uncertain where and
how to give, who devote great deal
of time conscientiously to lnvestigat-
ing the objects of their charity but
who makes a dismal failure Of it.
The truth is a great deal of harm has
been done in the community by Ill ad-
vised generosity as much as there has
been done harm in a business way by
Ill advised investments, and when
they have before them an ever eX-
.panding, practical instrument for the
distribution of funds to aid in sensl-
BILE. direct way, such as is the Young
Mems Christian association, they
ought to improve the opportunity.
"They can be sure that the money
thus expended will aid struggling
young men to resist temptation; 1t
viii laid them in economical living; it
will aid them in many direct ways to
overcome the obstacles Of poverty and
slow progress, and it will aid all OF
them without pauperizing them, with
out robbing them of their self-respect,
always holding before them the pros
pect of a brighter future and the GER
tainty of success in life in the build
ing up of a Christian character, en-
titling them to the good will of their
neighbors and of a good standing In
the community generally"
Religious Tolerance Praised.
Another feature OF the Y. nj. Z. A.
that appeals to Mr.. Taft Is its non
sectarian character and its spirit OF
tolerance. Speaking Of this growth OF
religious tolerance, Mr. Taft said:
81 have in mind an instance of the
g.owth of religious tolerance that |
venture to bring to your attention. In
the reorganization of the government
in re Philippines it became necessary
o ransfer the sovereignty of Spain,
nextricably bound up with the Roman
.etnolic church in charities, In
&C coils, in business, and otherwise to
subordinate government Of the
lifted States, in which the church
INST be entirely separate from the
tate. It seemed impossible to find
~ one, with sufficient authority In
he islands to effect a proper settle
nent of these matters and it was pro-
posed to send an agent of the govern
ment to the head of the Roman Cath
pic church to secure some authorita-
tive action and agency by which the
result desired could be obtained.
'"The president and Mr. Root were