Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-25

EDWIN HILL,
 General Secretary.
 A service in commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the Norwich Y. M. c. A. was held at the Broadway Congregational church Sunday even ing with a large sized congregation in attendance. Several of the city churches omitted their evening serv- ices so that the members of their con- gregations could attend the annivers- ary service at the Broadway church.
 President Case Spoke Briefly.
 Following the opening selection by the choir Rev. E.. s. Worcester, the pastor, read the scripture lesson from the second chapter of Titus and offered prayer James l.. Case, president of tion spoke of the founding of the Y. M. c. A. in Norwich in 1875 and the very successful year just passed.
 General Secretary HilPs Report.
 General Secretary Edwin Hill of the Norwich association then gave a brief review of his annual report which he presented at the annual meeting of the association last Wednesday even ing and which in full is as follows:
 esteem it a privilege to render to you my first annual report as your general secretary. During the eight months of my official connection with this association I have greatly enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of you all and I cannot put into words my deep feelings of gratitude for the uni form courtesy and kindness shown me
 First of all I thank the Heavenly Father for his unfailing goodness to us and to the work, for surely we have been conscious of his favor: then I have been greatly encouraged by the consecrated cooperation of the presi- dent and directors, and I wish that our members might ever bear in mind the debt of gratitude we all owe to these faithful men who give of their time. their money and themselves for the young men and boys of our com munity. We are constantly reminded of unselfishness by the spirit mani Tested on the part of the good women of the auxiliary who have so gladly responded to the many calls for ser vice and with one accord we extend to them our tribute of praise.
 Three Sides of Mans Nature.
 While we cannot claim perfection for the work during the year just closed, we believe the results have been such as to merit the approval of the large number of friends who have supported the institution in the past and wh9 will doubtless stand by us in the days to come. We are still work ing in harmony with our significant emblem, the triangle, representing the three sides ef a mans nature, viz; the spirit, mind, and bedy, the develop motto,
 Religious Activities.
 The various religious activities have played an important part in the lives of geodly number of men and boys and whether in the Bible classes, the Sunday rallies, the factories, or the jail the Gospel has held the attention it's influence and only Ged knows the real results of our honest efforts along direct religious lines.
 Work for Boys.
 The work for boys has been prose- cuted with faithfulness and perhaps no part of our field of endeavor is more important than this. In this de- partment the work is largely preven- tative and to what extent we have moulded the young lives we will prob ably never know, but that the work of prevention is after ail the most fm- portant we all agree. While the vari- ous occasions have each contributed to the success of the whole, one of the most significant happenings in the boys work was the Father & Son Banquet when eighty sons and ss l many fathers met around the festal l board, the sole purfose being to eulti- vate cmloser relationship between the parent and sen | A special feature was the crganiza- ton of a newsboys club for social purposes and these husky knights oi | the news certainly have "big time at their weekly meetings.
 Physical Department. The physical work has been of . high order, and those who have been l regular in exercises show splendid de- velopment; the work given in the I op symetrically the various muscles l of the body thereby fitting those thus l developed to better fight the battle ot 1 life. The different games in the gymnasium have been greatly enjoy | ed by those participating and the | splendid Laurel Hill basketball team 1 furnished pleasure to hundreds or several occasions. It is earnestly l hoped that many who neglected the splendid opportunity offered by the physical department will during the coming year. avail themselves of thi: i their duty toward the development oi l their bodies
 l Social and Educational. | Realizing that man is a social beins l considerable effort has been spent during the year in the maintainanct of healthy social atmosphere, the I aim being to make the building a so. cial center for young men and these efforts have been fruitful of good re. suits. The various games have con tributed much to the pleasure of the members and the lobby has daily beer a scene of social activity. Education. l ally we have not been negiectful: twt courses of high class entertainment. 1 were conducted: these were patron. | iZed by large numbers The readfuf room with its good supply of populal publications has received its share O. patronage
 Dormitory Accommodations.
 The dormitory Is a very practica I part of our association life and tn, l neatly kept rooms at reasonable<price afford plfasure to a number of younj men who consider the building splendid substitute for their home