Norwich bulletin., 1910-05-27

1y with foreigners, it has led to large number of them joining the Associa tion, and made of them better ana more useful citizens.
 A large number of these young men have taken their first steps in learn ing the English language through \. M. c. A. work. In Pennsylvanla,W where there are a large number of ilhterdte workman, the English language IS taught my means of the stereopucon. The teachers are recruited not only from among native Americans, but from among those who have already been taught through the same medium and who have become so interested tha they have become active workers
 In this work no attempt is made 10 teach higher education, but, folloW- ing up the study of our language, they are taught lessons in patriotism, facts concerning our laws, and strenuous effort is made to induce these people to lead both outwardly and inwardly clean, moral lives. It is very certain that young men thus instructed be- come better wage earners and far more efficient workers in the community.
 Special Services.
 On national holidays special effort is made to interest these citizens, and under Y. NJ. C. A. auspices services appropriate to the day are held, which go long way toward giving the for eigner a better idea of what these hol- idays really stand for, which means a
 
 considers our holidays merely in the light of a gala day. Stereopticon lec- lures are given in the open air, views of foreign countries and the United States being shown, closing with slides of Ellis Island and the Statue of Lib erty. At one Fourth of July lecture one of the men remarked that they did not want to see views of foreign lands, but more about the United States. and pictures of it's great men. The eagerness to learn more about America and American citizens seems to be present in almost all of these newly arrived emigrants.
 That belongs'to all of us." said one of a group of men, pointing to the Amer ican flag on top Of a tree which stood in the midst of several shaclAs. Men want citizenship, and they know it. and they are inspired by true loyalty to the flag.
 Men who are anxious to learn the English language are very apprecia- tive of this opportunity to do so and they are strong workers to have their friends and relatives take the same courses. There are a large number of college men among the workers who are rendering very efficient aid and many young men who are graduates of Wich.
 All over the United States foreign men are coming into the local associa- tions with cards of introduction from
  rope and have thus been kept out of cheap lodging houses and away from the prey of boarding house sharks. There is no work being carried on to- day among the young men of this country which is as far reaching and powerful in its influence as Is associa- tion work. This fact is so well recog- nized by the great railroads of the country that almost all of them have given buildings and money toward | maintaining branches sfor their em- ployes and there are also quite num- ! Der of associations which are espe- cially designed for soldiers and sail ors- The public will remember the magnificent gift of Miss Helen Gould who after the Spanish war erected a large building for the sailors of the Brooklyn navy yard, and John b Rockefeller recently erected one at the Norfolk navy yard.
 Right here in Norwich there are no special needs of that character. but ever since the rooms were first opened in the Pierce block the association has been a power for good among the young men in the community. UpbuiIdine Christian Manhood. The first work of the association, as it's name implies. is the upbuilding of Christian manhood, the other features being but a means to the desired end Many of the earnest workers in our associations might rightly be called graduates of this school, through the lnlueice oI the 0nrlStlaH iiiei W Tt have acted secretaries a large mum ber of them have been brought into the churches of Norwich. There is nc cause which comes before the people of this city asking for their aid which pays a better dividend, not in dollars and cents. but in better manhood ano d more wholesome and energetic class of citizens.
 Today is the day that counts: every dollar which the citizens of Norwich contribute to this work is money wei spent in the interests of the city. II is to he hoped that when the day is over the thermometer will show that | the desired goal has been attained.