The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-15


the rooms a most artistic appearance,
and everything was just as home-like and
comfortable as could be.
But of course everything will be even
more attractive than this" | remarked to
Mrs Cecil as I entered, when you get
into your new quarters up in West Tween
tieth street overlooking the park. And
when will that be?'
"Well, I can't say exactly replled Mrs.
Cecil "but we hope at an early Date we
are all very enthusiastic over the pros
poets for our future work.
IT can well imagine how you would
be-" | replied. And isn't the Young
Women's Christian association in meas
ure sort of in its infancy?'
''Well, the infant is 6 years old now
don't you think we have accomplished a
good deal when / tell you that last year
we served 25,000 meals?'
"Gracious!" l exclaimed, 81 think that
is really wonderful. Do tell me some
more about the work. I pleaded.
you know, of course" continued Mrs.
Cecil. that Y w. C. A. work originated
in London In 1854 1t was inspired by the
beautiful life of Florence Nightingale,
who when she returned from the Cri-
mean war with her nurses, gave English
women the idea that was soon made prac-
tical. The lines were modelled on the
Young Mems Christian association work,
of which Sir George Williams was the in
stigator."
''And from this beginning the Young
Womens Christian associations all over
the world have been born, SO to speak"
I suggested "And did you find any diff
Guilty in establishing the work here?'
"Of course everything is hard at first"
said Mrs. Cecil in her sweet, gentle way.
but we have been very successful. We
do not make great many demands on
the public, as the institution is very near
ly self-supporting, but whenever we ask
aid the response is very ready and will
ing Last year we expended $4,000, and
of this amount every cent came from the
work of the Y. w. c. A. with the ex-
ception of about $500, which we had to
request"
Everything seems so home-1il1e and
CHEEKY here. | should think the women
of Birmingham would thoroughly appreci-
ate such place." l remarked
1--WE have the finest and best board in
the world" replied Mrs. Cecil enthusi-
astically land our membership is very
large. Every good woman in Birmingham
should have her name enrolled on our
books The rooms are always open, and
there is never time when a cordial well
come is not awaiting for those who wish
to be one of us. You see our pretty plano
over there. w ell, tllc lNiiS lSohsoiAtNAo
presented the Y. w. c. A. with that in
strument, and you have no idea how
much it has been appreciated. Several of
the members do their daily practice right
here, and one young woman comes before
office hours and does her practicing and
after office hours she is back again for
the remainder of her practice work"
How nicer' I exclaimed. "And are you
here a great deal of the time, Mrs.
Cecil?" I inquired.
ooh, yes" she responded you know
I am SO interested in the work that it
is sort of part of me now. Then 1
have so many young women who assist
me. Miss Edith Bowron, Miss Marie
Smith, Miss Somerville and many others
come down frequently and spend several
hours of the day, and they seem to en-
Joy the work very much. You know our
idea is the sisterhood of women in this
work The spiritual physical and mental
DEVELOPMENT is our aim and object. We
are without class or distinction, and ev-
cry one Is welcome within our portals
from the greatest to the humblest. We
endeavor to cultivate the atmosphere of
those tendencies and qualities of mind
that go to shape the moral and religious
life. and to aid them in applying In
the work Of religious education the fun
damental principals that condition the
formation of the highest type of char
acter. A study of the functions, develop
ment and training of the feelings and
emotions form the core of our work
and the young women who take advan-
tase of the work feel and know that
every step is made on these principles
"And is any opportunity offered for
study?" I asked.
ooh yes" quickly responded Mrs. Cecil;
'the departments of art, music, the Ian
guages and commercial branches are
open to all members Of the Young Wom-
ems Christian association, and the cost
of pursuing these different branches is
nominal. great many have offered their
services as teachers in the various de-
partments, and the instructors selected
are among the best the city affords
by Miss Bergman, and several musical
numbers.
Mrs Norman Brooks will not be able to
have her usual at home today A large
circle of friends are sympathizing with
her because of the illness of her father
Mr.. Francis Clark.
Miss Mary Kinney will have the mem
bers of her graduating class as her
guests today at luncheon
Miss Maybelle Roden will entertain her
card club next Wednesday afternoon at
the Country club.
TO ENTERTAIN AT
THE COUNTRY CLUB.
Among the dinner parties given this