The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-06-01

six millions year for permanent
equipment for these associations
among their employees. The 125,00O
railroad men who belong give even
more.
The leaders of every nation now at
war have co-operated to a remarkable
degree in the work which the asso-
citation is doing among the millions of
men in the training camps and prison
camps of the world. No organization
of modern times has attracted the CO.
operation of men everywhere who
have released millions OF dollars to
carry on this work. President Wilson
recently emphasized its effective SER
vice when he said Nothing is more
vital to the country than the associa-
ton of men together in things that are
not for private interests" No man ev-
er organized Young Mems Christian
Association for his own benefit No
man ever expected, if he were true
man, to make profit out of it, be-
cause if you try to do good to other
men for your own sake, you can't do 1t
for them. The only thing that can vi
talize great organization like this is
for men to forget themselves and try
and serve others.
No doubt most of us admit the Y.
NJ. c. A. is useful but did you ever
stop to consider seriously it must have
funds il it is to grow as great as its
usefulness. The men and boys who
need it's influence may be numbered
by the hundreds. Suppose you came
to Mount Vernon with your heart full
of home hunger and your mind fixed
on the friends at home-a boy on the
doorstep of his maturity-unknown
and unknowing, where would you go
what would you do, how and where
would you spend your spare time. No
lonely young man will tramp the
streets of Mount Vernon if the Asso-
citation be allowed to do the work it
wants to do. 1t needs money for Am
erican manhood to keep cleanliness
in youth to broaden brains and backs
and to develop in its fullest meaning,
young manhood.
The debt of $6,SOOO0 on our proper
ty is big handicap and am in hopes
that this fall a campaign can be con-
Quoted that will wipe off this indebted
ness and also provide for some needy
repairs. Paying out money for inter
est on old debts and continual petty
repairs is not helping many lonely fel-
lows.
To the parents who have boys we
would suggest: 1st, your boy be a
member and thereby obtain the spir-
itual and physical benefits which the
association is endeavoring to give him
and which has been given to many
boys the past winter.
1t is in boyhpod that the great ques
tions are settled, that muscles are
shaped and developed, the mind train
ed to think clearly and habits formed
which determine character. Let the
association help you to form a strong
body in your boy, learn him to control
temper, teach him to have mastery
over self and to respect the rights of
others. Your secretary Is here to
serve the boys and to work in sympa
thy with the parent and the home to
this end and is always willing, regard
less whatever duty he may be per-
forming, to be of service in this direc.
tion.
We would express our sincere
thanks to the many friends who from
time to time have aided by their con.
tributions and service, and thus made
possible the work of our association
the past year, to the directors and as
sociates who have so Loyalty backed
all efforts; to the pastors for their
sympathy and support, to the two dai.
ly papers for the unusual space given
from time to time, and to the many
who have rendered any service what.
soever.
In closing permit me to read that ia,
nous poem written by Walter Foss
"The House by the Side of the Road,
because II breathes the very spirit of
the Young Mems Christian Associa.
tion. 1t presents the purpose and
ideals of the work for boys and men
as we should and are trying to at pres.
ent carry out daily in our "house by