The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-29
THE Y. NJ. c. A.

THE Y. NJ. c. A.
And the men of Topeka, young and
old, should welcome the opportunity
that is theirs during the remainder of
this week to contribute to the support
of the Young Mems Christian Gssocia-
ton by participating in the member
ship campaign that the latter is wag-
ing to the extend of becoming MEM
bers Of this most worthy and valuable
civic institution. There are many To-
pekans who can we'll afford to take
out a membership, or two or three
for that matter, even if they have no
inclinations to take advantage person.
ally of the opportunities that such
membership affords. They might pass
these memberships on, for instance, TO
some of the estimable young men and
boys in the city who, perhaps, are not
financially able to indulge in such a
boon. Or, if they are unacquainted
with any such young men or boys,
they can file their membership cards
away and consider the cost of them in
the light of contribution to the sup
port of the association. There is no
better investment that Topekans can
make. This institution is vigorously
engaged in a most essential work
among the young men and boys of the
city. 1t is concerned in their moral
and spiritual upbuiIding, as well as
their physical; and it is doing this
work remarkab bly, we'll 1t is a verit-
able melting pot for the boys and
young men of the city. 1t takes the
raw material of youth and tempers
and refines into a product of finished
manhood. Out of its crucible comes
young men strong not only in body but
also in soul; the real men that are
needed today and will be needed more
so tomorrow to carry the standards of
civilization to higher levels. Isn't such
an institution deserving of a generous
support from all the people of the
community in which it is playing such
an important role? This is one of
those questions that provides its own
answer The appeal that the Y. M
= A. is making for the support il
needs is compelling, and will readily
impress itself on the minds of all who
VIII give the matter the. attention to
which it is entitled
one of the stronger characteristics
or features of the Y. NJ C. A. is the
] n
stltution. 1t knows no sect or creed
ou1 the simple and wholesome creed
OF Jesus of Nazareth Some of its
crltlcs-for it has critics, like every
other i've institution that is playing
successfully its part in the game of
llIe-say that the association has been
forgetting of late its original ideals of
spreading the gospel of Christianity;
that it is giving less and less attention
10 TINS activity and is devoting moro
and more of it's energies to the physi-
cal development of its members, .
their entertainment and comfort But
this criticism is a mistaken one It
Is undeserved. 1t doesn't jibe with
the facts. The Y. NJ. C. A is as zeal
Gus today in the prosecution of its
spiritual work as it ever was. But this
phase OF its endeavors, important
though it be, naturally doesn't attract
the public notice that is given to some
of its other activities. And it will
probably be surprising to not a few
Topekans to learn that through its
Bible classes and religious meetings
that are carried, often at the noon
hour, into the stores and factories of
the city, the Y. NJ. C. A. reaches di-
rectly no less than an average of o.
900 Topekans month, a most sub
stantiaI showing in the religious field,
it would seem.
The appeal of the Y. NJ c. A. is
especially strong to the boys from IL
years of age up. No more ideal a
recreation center for them can be
imagined or devised, surrounded in it
as they are by the best of influences
citation work and play of Christian
gentlemen More fathers should ia
miliarize themselves with this impor-
tant fact, and when they do they are
sure to see to it that their boys are
given the advantages that the associa-
ton offers. Big brothers should do
the same. So should mothers in the
homes where fathers and big brothers
may be missing. And there is no bet
ter time for Topekans to become ac-
quainted with the work of the asso-
citation than now while its campaign
is in progress for a sufficient member
ship to maintain it firmly on its finan-
cial feet.
But while the Y. NJ. c. A. is partic-
ularly devoted to the needs of the boys
and the young men, it is not without
its attractions for older men. 1t needs
them, too, in its active life, not mere
ly because of the financial support
they are able TO give-it needs their
sympathy, their advice and their CO.
operation. More of the older men of
the city should associate themselves
with the great work it is doing. And
now is the accepted time for them to
make a beginning.