Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-04
NINETEENTH ANNUAL
ADDRESS DELIVERED
REV. A. C. SMITHER TALKS TO
Y. M. C. A. AUDIENCE
Reviews Worlds History of Last
Twelve Months, with Special Ref
erence to the Growth of
Prohibition

For the nineteenth consecutive year
Rev. A. C. Smither yesterday deliv-
cred the address for the first Sunday
of the year at the Young Mems Chris
tan association.
Nineteen years ago, when Mr.. Smith
er had come to Los Angeles as a young
pastor, he was asked to address the
| mems meeting of the then struggling
| association on Broadway near Second
street, and until five years ago he
continued to speak the first Sunday of
each year at that building. For three
years he addressed these meetings at
the temporary building at GA South
Hill street and for the past two years
at 621 South Broadway. Yesterday, the
first Sunday of the new year in the
present magnificent building, was a
red letter day in the association an
nails, and at the close of the service
ID. e. Luther the general secretary,
extended hearty invitation for Rev
Mr.. Smither to address the me- ting
the first Sunday of 1910 at the associa-
ton, an invitation that was heartily
cheered by those present.
The meeting yesterday afternoon,
which was held in the auditorium, was
the largest in point of attendance of
any held in the new building.
In the course of his address Mr..
Smlther gave review of world events
for the year 1908, speaking especially
or the political conditions in the
United States and paying a high
tribute to the two presidential can
didates and President Roosevelt The
speaker reviewed the uprising of the
people in Germany, the steps taken
toward the recognition of the people
In the Turkish empire and the general
spirit for popular government in the
countries of Europe and the far east.
He spoke at length on the death of
the emperor and dowager empress of
China, the beginning of recognition of
the principle of popular control in that
country and its meaning to civilization
The speaker also discussed the finan-
c1al conditions of the past year, with
special reference to those of the United
States, and dwelt on moral improve
ment exhibited by the year just closed.
The advance of prohibition in the
southern states was cited as a mark
of this progress, Mr.. Smither saying
that advance had been in the south
rather than the west, as the more
purely American citizens resided in
that section of the country, while in
other states there was more of a pop
ulation from other countries In this
connection he compared California to
New York in point of foreign popula-
tion and asked the native sons pres
of $50 men only four rose.
Tribute was paid to the churches of
Los Angeles for their endeavors to rid
the state of race track gambling, and
the speaker praised highly the stems
taken in New York state.
The speaker closed with a tribute
tc the great work accomplished by the
Young Women's and the Young Mems
Christian associations of Los Angeles.
especially among the vOI1ner neonle
The service closed with an evangel-
istic appeal to start the new year on
Christian principles. and several of
those present signified their intention
of espousing the Christian faith.
At the same hour II. J. Wilkie.
county work secretary of the state
| committee of the Y NJ c. A, ad-
| dressed young men between the ages
of Is and q years in the triangle de-
partment on "Start Right" The Eu-
terpean quartet took part in this
service.
At the home hour, which followed
these services and was held in the
| main lobby, H Edgar Fry, who ar
| rived recently from Atlanta, Ca, to
| become associate educational director
| made a brief address. Mr.. Fry. who
will assist Lloyd B. Austin, educa-
| tional director, served for five years
in a like capacity with Mr.. Luther in
| the east and previous thereto was con-
| nected with the Chicago branch office
| of the international committee.