The Washington herald., 1912-04-15
Y. N. c. 4. OBSERVES
FOUNDERS DAY
Painting Of Men Who Estab-
lished the Association
Are Unveiled.
HISTORY is RELATED.

Founders Day was observed for the
first time by the Washington Y. NJ. c. A.
yesterday. Appropriate exercises COM
memorative OF the services Of Thomas
Duncan. William Chauncey LaIgdon, and
William Jones Rhees. founders of the
local association. IN tSs2. were held IN
the gymnasium hall Of the central
building.
in the Episcopal Church in 1851. and who.
by reason OF long residence In Wash
ington, has kept IN close touch with the
organization. spoke on The Association
Of Yesterday" He Is the only living
founder. Portraits In oil, representing
the founders as they appeared In later
years. were unveiled and formally pre-
ward presided. Addresses were made by
w. II. II. Smith and Henry 3. F.
Mcfarland. touching the associations
achievements in the last sixty years.
Rev. DR.. Greene read the Scripture les
son and offered prayer. Music was fur
nished by the Colgate College Glee CLUB.
DR.. Duncan gave an account OF condi-
tons in Washington in the SOS. Our
association was the third OF the kind
organised on this continent" he said.
Boston was first, and We have q char
ter member OF that association with US
to-day in the person Of George A. Miner.
We felt the need OF an association that
would afford the young men Of that day
an outlet for their social. intellectual.
and spiritual cravings. Washington had
its share Of evil Influences. Gambling and
drinking were rife in those days quite
as much as now.
81 want to record my conviction fur
ther.'' declared the aged minister. that
no influence has been more. potent In
bringing about the closer feeling Of unity
among the Protestant churches than the
Y. NJ. C. A. This one result, IL no other
were evident. would have justified all
that II has cost OF sacrifice and generous
service on the part OF its pioneers.
am grateful for any small part / have
had as one OF its founders in this city.
The real founder, to whom greatest
credit is due, was Rev. DR.. Clement NJ.
Butler. rector Of Trinity Episcopal
Church. It was his counsel and his lead
ership among the clergy that gave the
signal success to the first public meet
ings and aligned some Of the most in
huential and able men OF the day in
the organization as charter members and
officers"
Presents Historical Data.
W. II. H. Smith presented historical
and biographical data covering the period
of the organization and lauded the char
acters Of those who were the founders
and charter members OF the society.
Henry B. F.. Mcfarland. speaking OF
the present achievements and the out
look. made mention OF the national and
influence exerted through
the Washington association by reason Of
its location. in the National Capital Al
lusian was made to the far-reaehing IN
huence OF the national secretaries rep
resenting the Washington Y. n. C. A
in China and japan. and OF the special
service which Fletcher s. Brockman. ma
tionaI secretary in China, IL rendering
the leaders in the newborn republic.
Mr.. Macfarland praised the Washington
secretarial stan. declaring that from his
as a member OF the inter-
national committee and his visitation of
many associations In this country and
Canada, Washington secretaries measure
up to the highest standard. I'VE are
not satisfied" said Mr.. Mcfarland. I'VE
have done we'll. but not enough. We
use this occasion, not as cause of
pride, but rather as another reason, for
deepening our own sense OF obligation to
make the most Of what We have In
herited from the noble men who have
preceded u.s."