Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-27

spoke as follows:
"In his living, and in his theories
of life, the man Of today is affected
by three great facts. First, the
growth of science and the diffusion
Of knowledge; second, modern in
%vention and the resulting eXtraordi-
nary extension of mans control
over nature; and third, the growth
of popular government and a quick
ened social conscience.
The modern man is the product
of modern conditions; what Is his
relation to religion? He needs re-
ligion and is more or less religious
as men ever have been and always
will be. He incllnes to religion ex-
pressed In action, rather than form
aIism or mysticism. He needs Jesus
Christ in order that he may be saved
from Indifference, materialism, or a
vague pantheism. He needs not
only a program for life, but power
as we'll, and this can be found only
in that vital relationship to Christ
which we call Faith.
'.In the immediate past the eff
forts Of the church through the Men
and Religion Forward Movement
and its splendid, balanced program
have held our attention to the long
recognized fact that men make up a
smaller part of the church than they
should. | am privileged to speak to
you today of one of the earliest
movements in the church aiming at
the enlistment and the direction of
men for the sake of the Kingdom of
God. The Young Mems Christian
Association, organized in 1914 in
London by George Williams, pro-
posed that its members, in the
sphere Of their daily calling, should
aim at the spiritual and mental i'm
pTOyement of young men. In a
comparatively short time physical
betterment was added to the ideal,
and the familiar emphasis IN Spirit,
Mind and Body has been continued
with increasing breadth and thor
oughness of treatment; while to the
earnest service of committeeman
and officers has been added the de-
voted leadership of executives en-
ployed to assist In the development
of the organization. In North Amer
lea alone the 2,118 associations have
a membership of over half a mil
lion, and the annual current eX-
penses equal nine and a third mill
lions of dollars, and the associa-
tiOns own property worth over sixty
seven and a half millions. The en-
ployed officers number 1881. Last
year eighty-three new buildings
were opened, at a cost OF $6,707, 900,
and eighty-seven more were prOvid-
ed for, to cost Sl2.l 10, 600.
1T is the function of the Y. M. c.:
A.. to supplement the work of the
,,Ia,I IIn .l,,al, npA Tho hNp,a In
the making and the maintaining Of
Christian manhood. The association
aims to assimilate men and boys. in
body, mind and morals, to the Chris
tian ideal. This work is done in any
typical city by a wel~l-appointed
home or clubhouse, where social
contacts are sc planned as to make
it as easy as possible to do right and
as hard as possible to dc wrong.
Special equipment and activities for
boys under eighteen are notably use
full and successful. Evening educa-
tional classes along vocational lines
make practical contribution to char
acter as well as to efficiency. Well
equipped and under trained direc-
ton, the gymnasium builds and
stores vitality, and gives op%portuni-
ty for recreation. Bible classes and
religious meetings contribute effec-
lively to character and conduct.
"A we'll equipped Young Mems
Christian Association is a possibility
for Perth Amboy; to secure 1t will
necessitate here the same elements
which have bee essential else
where. The excellent progress to-
ward the goal already made Is an
encouragement to sustained effort,
and with the combination of onse-
Grafton and cash victory will come
to the committee which is working
so we'll for this great community
need
Mr.. Howard MacWilliam, of Plain
field. spoke at Simpson Methodist
Episcopal church. He told of the
wonderful growth of the Young
Mems Christian Association, espe-
cially the last ten years, during
which time the buildings and esuip-
ment had increased in value from
80 millions to so millions Of dollars.
He said that the movement had
come up through the experimental
period and had won the sympathy
and support of the leading men of
the country. 1t has the endorsement
" Nhp ItablAlb NubNoNo'o W. WV
country. Keen business men had
given millions for buildings and
equipment, looking upon 1t as a wise
investment. The government has
sought the associations help in
ministering to the needs of the men
in the army, navy and canal one
They had placed buildings at six
points along the route of the Pan
anna canal and employed secretaries
and physical directors to create a
wholesome environment for the
thousands OF skilled men who are
employed there.
Young men are the greatest asset
a city or country has. They should
be protected and helped during the
formation period OF life. They are
very susceptible to good or evil in
|fluences between the ages of IA and
IS. More are led into the church
at this period than at any other and