Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-23

So many OF the readers have asked
me TO tell them something more def
nita about thu younS Sc@@s's Chris
tian association that am going to
copy an article I found in another
magazine. I have told you the spe-
ctic work that we do here: finding
homes for girls who are strangers,
trying TO get work for them. teaching
them where they realize their de-
fcfency and giving them a home at
mosphere in their nOontime. Suppose
your girl had to leave home, wouldn't
you be glad TO know that all over the
world are scattered an organization
that is personally interested in ner?
Last summer, while speaking to me
OF the Young women's Christian asso-
citation. woman consigned the or
EanizatfOn TO oblivion with these
words; oh, those people are no good;
they DO nothing but pray and sing
hymns A few other people think
Just that-perhaps you do. Now. let
me tell you that they do sing hymns
and they do pray, but that isn't the
whole story. don't believe know
any more active organization than the
Young Women's Christian association.
take IL all over the country. There
are over 700 associations, with a men,
bership close TO a quarter OF a mill
ion, with a working force OF over 500
paid secretaries. besides numerous vol
unteer workers, and hundreds Of thous-
ands OF dollars worth OF buildings
scattered all over the country. This
sounds big. doesn't it, And all for
girls girls wherever. they are found
n factory, shop. college: in country.
village or city-a great organization
looking out for your girl and taking a
& very personal interest in her"
Miss MacLean then tells in a very
helpful lines OF WORK and instruction
given In the Y W Q. A. the confer
ences. etc. and concludes with these
words: The Young Women's Chris
tan association is democratic and the
bond is strong one. II a girl is a
member In one city and goes to an
other she carries her membership card
Win her, and finds a group OF peo-
PIE ready TO welcome her, and keen
her from being lonesome. Or, If she
goes % new college. or takes a trip
around the world. she is. sure Of a
welcome in Y. w. C. A. circles.
There isn't any other organization
that does all this for a girl She can
learn to do practical things In various
& institutions. and she may be invited
20 parties OF one sort or another.
and some people may take an Interest
IN her. but she would. after all, have
nothing 20 connect her permanently
with any place or group. From Homo
lulu 10 Bar Harbor. from Seattle to /
Atlanta. the organization extends-it
reaches all over the earth. for that
matter, but that is another story
and orIers 10 girls almost everything
70 make life interesting and worth
while. The organization works away
quietly enough, without any blare OF
trumpets, but the quarter of a million
members are doing some talking out
side. and they VIII back me up when
j say that the Young Womens Chris
tan association can do so much for
your gtrl-and yours-and yours
and yours-in giving her a full and
abundant life, that you cannot AFFORD
TO let Il be unknown to her Tell her
about IL tOday.-Christian womanhood.
Thanksgiving is almost here: have
you counted your blessings7 In the
home Is the place to really count
them Health. plenty to eat not al
ways what We would have, but plenty
! Of wholesome food, a circle OF love
and sympathy and cooperation. These
are our chief blessings, and I hope
that you have ranked them that way.
Thanksgiving day does not mean the
new clothes. the fine dinner and, per-
haps. intemDerance that some seem to
think Nobody enjoys nice things
more than / DO. so you must not get
the idea that 1 am dfScounting any
good dinner or new clothes, but we
should give thanks to our loving
Father for the days OF sunshine and
nights OF dew, as well as the rains
and clouds that have made possible
fhe good things OF life.
When you sit down TO your table thank
God that II is as well with you as IL
Is, There never was a night without a
downing. There never was a sorrow. ex-
cept the one you bring willfuIly on your
self. without its silver lining. Be thank
ful for your home. 1t may not be as fine
as the one you had this time last year.
but love may make it as honey and
the atmosphere that surrounds it may
be even more inspiring. for you may be
able TO show some weaker soul how to
lift up enes heart in thanksgiving even
though the one you leaned upon has gone
before you TO that home eternal in the
heavens
Do you remember the little verse gave
you about thanking God for ones disap-
pointments? Keep your eyes open and
ere you grow a year older you may
thank Him for denying you the thing
you so earnestly desired. Let US take TO
heart the promise. las I was with
Moses so I will be with thee" Let US
make our homes such that no tinge Of
infdeIity. no hint OF pessimism. no faint
Of deceit ever find a lodging place, and
as the inmates come and go they MAJ
realize the truth. as we teach and live
Il. that we may have sunshine in our
homes even during winters coolest.
s3~&kest days.
Faithfully yours.
n