Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1911-11-19
JOSEPH MERRILL'S
GIFT TO CITY
Continued From Page TWo.1

sure. And when, sir We pause 20
contemplate that this supel structure
is the generous gift of one OF our fei-
low-citizens, we reverently thank GOD
TO- having blessed us with 50 benz
violent a benefactor.
The Merrill Institute is an orna-
nj ant of which any city in the South
might well be proud, and Pine Bluff
has outstripped many Of its contempo-
rary Southern cites in that regard.
BY tails act on the part Of Mr.. Mer-
rill. our local organization ST the
Young Mems Christian Association is
the only Association in the State pos
sessing gymnasium nd its own
blu. lding; in fact, there are but few
local ASS citations in the South equal
~ as fortunate.
The good to be accomplished by the
Merrill Institute is untold in its eff
fecis and consequences. Since The
Young Mems Christian Association s
one of the chief b. neficiaries of tnis
donation, | h:v We the right to presum.,
that the young men will he the chief
benef Charles of this gift. Its objects
are to amuse, entertain and instruct,
where the moral, mental, physical and
spiritual man can be improved and
developed. Its M in object is to over
come the enticing influences OF tai
'gilded halls of vice." and to throw
the Christian arm Of Charity and
brotherly love around the weak and
the strong, to WOO the weak from theii
frailties and to make the strong grow
stronger. And who in the VOL Id needs
the protecting care of Christian peo-
pie md Christian influences more
than the young man who has receiv-
ed the benediction Of a loving mother,
has departed from the parental roof
around which cluster thousand
memories Of many joys and disap-
pointments and h gone west" Tor
southwest to build up lis fortunes
in a strange land and among a strange
people.
From Il to % years of as is the
critical period of young manhood. Il
is the sprng-time OF life-that set
son which has the especi ] benedic-
ton of Divine Providence. 1t is in
vernal Springs that nature puts on
its gaudiest garb and appears i'll low
W tn itself and at peace with the
world. 1t is in the springtime Wen
the stars shine brilliantly like 81
many jewels set i'll II azure casket,
when the wooing and cooling of the
fappy, joyous birds make music OF
d thousand voices, and when the rip
pling rivers dance merrily on the,r
way TO the boundless sea, when thu
sunshine of heaven kisses the glow
ing cheek of the fragrant fl5wer as its
sweet arom9. makes the very air pre-.
grant with sweet incense arising un-
to the very throne OF God, and the
season when God reveals himself unto
his children, debating peace on
earth and good will to men," 1t is in
the Springs-time of life that t,-e
cheeks are tbs reddest. the lips the
rubiest, and the very soul is kindeled
W tn the fires of thousand mbtions.
Some one has said that the child is
tie father of the man, and it is dur
ing this period of young manhood that
the habits of life arr formed.
How important, then, that at this
Sc son young manhood should be
placed under the protecting wing of
Christian people When the seductive
influence of tie dSvil surrounds us
in multitude of manners, when the
sweet siren songs of the seducer are
broad in the land to allure, ensnare
and decoy from the paths of rectitude,
and when this Gilt cal age Of youth
is so susceptible end prone to temp
tation, how important is it then,
again repeat. that Christian influences
should be at work to cOunteract taa
,-4eyil influences that environ young
manhood on every side.
BY the grace OF Divine Providence.
and free pass over the railroads,
had the pleasure of visiting Att nta,
Ga, few years ago. 1t was the oc-
casion of Presidem and Ms. Cleve'
lands visit to Atlanta, and there was
a great concourse of people there.
While wandering aimlessly about the
streets of TIN t great Southern city,
AZ rsr.ng - achievemsn of men and
witness ng the blessings of God upon
deeout and good ,.eople. unHX-
pectedly came across the Ben H'll
statue. My very soul was enraptur-
Ell. stood at tie base of that monu-
m mt contemplating the grandeur OF
that man and wishing that his voice
sfnight be gain raised in behalf of