Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-01-19

goods clerk, in st. Paul's church
AZ parish, London, IL young men
organized a society for the spir
itual improvement Of the en-
ployees Of the large dry goods houses
Of the British metropolis.
Today that society. known through
out the world as the "Y. NJ. c. A."
has grow. to a membership Of $780,.
900; is represented in 10 countries OF
the world; has over 5000 separate So
cieties; and owns buildings and r-op-
erty valued at considerably more than
S70,00O.000.
In North America alone. 1t has over
5000 paid secretaries and employees
on its rolls devoting their time to its
maintenance and expansion. 1t has
branches from the Arctic Circle to the
Cape of Good Indian. the Philippines
and other ends Of the earth. II has
become a part Of the man.building
force OF every important railroad and
industrial concern. and the army and
navy have seen its activities through.
out their own ranks in all parts OF
the world. and on the bat:lefelds Of
Manchuria and elsewhere.
In the present day OF great build.
ings. gymnasiums and swimming
pools. bowling alleys and billiard
halls, libraries and educational
classes. 1t is difficult to realize the
small beginnings Of the institution
that has become the foremost asso.
citation in the world for the aid OF
young men. II Sir George Williams,
its founder, or the eleven who Joined
him in its former organization. could
have foreseen the great ends Of their
work. 1t is doubtful II they would
have brought to 1t the same qualities
Of mind that they possessed when 1t
was launched.
Originally. as already indicated. the
Young Mems Christian association
was a voluntary organization among
dry goods clerks. for the spiritual i'm.
provement OF their fellow employees.
After its organization by Williams
and his associates in 1874. 1t was for
some time known as the Diapers
association. for want Of a
better name. and the title we'll ex-
pressed its aim and the purpose Of its
organization.
The athletic and popular features
Of the work are at complete variance
with the ideas of most Of the twelve
earnest young men who founded the
original society. Then It was entirely
a religious movement. and It had not
been discovered that young men could
best be interested in religion through
the activities that benefited. their
and mental bodies. and made
better manhood. The very idea Of an
athletic contest. or q contest Of any
kind, was abhorrent to many Of those
who directed the associations early
activities.
The United States and Canada have
witnessed the most phenomenal devel-
,pment Of the original association Of
Sir George Williams. The latest flg-
lres show that there are S.09S asso-
cations In the world. with 100000
members and nearly S7O.0OO.OOO worth
IF property.
The United States and Canada have
,uly 2,017 Of these associations. but
hey embrace a membership Of nearly
500 900; have property valued at more
han S6O,O0O.0OO; and have over ST.
700 900 pledged in building funds and
The British Isles. where
he association was born and FIRST
have but 100000 members,
md buildings and property worth less
han Se.OOO.OOO.
In the United States the Y. N. Z.
A has become the recognized ex-
,onent OF better manhood and citizen
hip in every large city. The social.
educational and spiritual features Of
he work have invaded almost every
Seld of masculine endeavor. Assoc
cations exist among the mining
amps Of Alaska. among the construc-
ion camps on the Grand Trunk Pa
slno and other roads; In the coal
ZELDA Of West Virginia; the cotton
am districts Of thq south and north;
4 the navy yards and army and
marine barracks.
The railroads have given buildings;
building funds and maintenance funds
o associations in all Of their lardge
titles. There are over 2Sl railroad
mems associations. with a member
Ihip Of $4,000. Special rooms are pro
rIded for the association in many
arEs railroad stations; and new
are put up where other pro
Vision Is not at hand.
The whole history Of the develop i
nsnt OF the association which has
noWn 70 such proportions and IN