The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-03
Y NJ. C.. A. Educational Courses
Offer Wide Range Of Subjects

Half of our knowledge we must
snatch, not take" says Pope In this
day and age, however, many young
man finds that the snatching process is
his only resort instead of half his
knowledge he has to snatch all of it or
nearly all of it, IL he is to have any, and
to the aid of this young man has come
great American institution.
Within the last few years the Young
Mems Christian association has inaugu-
rated an educational department to help
the young man who as he runs has to
snatch any education and learning that
he desires to have. and October 1, or
about that time, the local Young Mems
Christian association will open up an ed
ucational department for the boys and
men of Birmingham. 1t means more,
probably. for a certain class of boys and
men in this city than any other move
ment that has ever started here.
No boy or young man from now on will
ever have any excuse, If he is able bodied
for not having had the benefits of book
learning both in technical affairs, that is.
in the mysteries of any trade or avoca-
llOI lt may D6 lOliOWlHS dS t H.tfti1S VI
earning a livelihood, and also in the aca-
demic studies which will broaden and re-
fine and educate his finer attributes of
character and understanding. The de-
partment at first will be conducted only
as a night school, from 730 in the even
ing to or 10 o'clock, but in another year
or two 1t is the hope of the men who
are back of 1t to make it, both day
and night institution, giving training at
all hours of the day
Mitchell Will Be in Charge
r. e. Mitchell, formerly physical direc-
tor of the local Young Mems Christian as
| ISOLATION, will become the educational di-
| rector In charge of the work. Mr.. Mitchell
has had experience in this form of work
before. He was connected with similar
department at the Young Mems Christian
association at indianapolis for some time
and studied and fitted himself for the de-
partment during his student days. He is
a graduate of the Indiana State Normal
school, has graduated at a polytechnic
institute and has studied at the Chicago
Training school at Lake Geneva, where
he took a special course. Mr. Mitchell is
considered well fitted for the work and
he has his heart and soul in it; he is al
ready planning the details of the system
and devoting much time to it.
Some 80 courses of study will be offered
to any man or boy who wishes to take
them up. almost every line of endeavor
being covered A boy will be allowed to
make his own choice of any study or
studies which he desires. 1t is not neces-
sary for student in the department to be
a member of the Young Mems Christian
association, although special inducements
will be offered to the association men,
bers
Special attention will be paid to the
technical and practical courses of study.
After the preliminary plans are thorough
ly worked out the association officials will
so to the Industrial commercial and bus
mess concerns of the city and explain to
the officials what their plans are. They
will then distribute circulars and printed
matter among the employees, with the en-
ployers' permission, telling the boys and
men just what the scheme offers. In no
cases will the association attempt to in
fiuence any employe to change his voca-
ton or trade or in any way dissatisfy him
with his surroundings. The purpose OF
the men who are working the plan is to
help a man who is machinist to be a
better machinist, a boy who is a book
keeper to be a better bookkeeper a sales
| man to be better salesman and so on. In
this way it will be to the advantage OF
the employer as well as the employe tc
take advantage of and encourage the
! school
Corps of Trained Young Men
| To assist the educational director In the
work, it is planned to secure the services
of a corps of college trained young men,
many of whom can be found in the city
holding various positions. These young
men will be asked to act as instructor In
some given study or studies, and they will
be paid nominal sum for their services.
The instructors are expected to take part
in the work, however, more from a philan-
thropic standpoint than any other. 1t is
believed that there easily can be found
plenty of young men of this kind who
will be glad to give an occasional hour or
two of their time in the evening to a class
of young boys or men who have not had