Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-31
YOUNG MEMS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION FLOOR
DORMTTORY SAYS DISCUSSING NEXT YEARS WORK

groups of raen and bows who gatheri
either about the old fire place in the
basement, or about the supper tables
IN the banquet room for their weekly
instruction. The Hi w" club an
organization among the older bows. for
moral and religious training and in
struetion is meeting also once a week
and meetings of very helpful charac-l
ter are being held
Twenty delegates from Rock Island,
all boys, recently returned from the
state older boys conference at Jack
sonyille where they were brought into
contact with speakers of high ideals, |
who talked With them regarding prob |
lens OF boys In the making" MANY !
a boy at this conference gained a new /
conception of life, it's meanings and |
its ideals, and has come home not I
only to make his own life count for
more, but also to be of service to the
other fellow" in helping him to live
a life that shall bear the mark of true
manhood
IN addition to this definite work in |
cur local field, the Rock Island asso-
citation has extended its influence in |
that it is supporting secretary in the
foreign field, paying his, salary from
year TO year, as he works among those
| In South America whose needs are so
great. Who can estimate the value
OF such work, and who is there
among us who would not wish to have
part in it and wish the association
God speed in this splendid program
for others?
Just about the most important work
! which the association is doing today
+! is its work among the boys of its
membership and community, for it
must not be forgotten that Rock Is
lands richest asset. greatest problem,
4 mightiest force, eostliest offender, and
highest hope. is the boy. The boys of
today will be the men of tomorrow
and their success and the future sue
Z cess of Rock island depends much on
what is put into their lives just now
The association ever keeps this in
view in its boys work, and all its &C
4 tivities'in behalf Of the boys are plan
ned to meet these needs. The big
gymnasium. swimming pool, gym
i classes, and athletic games, bible
classes, socials, hikes, etc. that the
association conduct in the interests Of
the boy of Rock Island, all tend to-
wards the building up In the boy, that
nobility of character that will make
out of him a man of high ideals, a
loyal citizen, and an all round pat
, riotic citizen, and worth while mem
Der Of society.
Such, briefly stated is, the character
aud aim of the work of the Young
Mems Christian association. Its pro-
, duet can not be rated in dollars and
! cents, but who can estimate the value
! to Rock Island Of a years work, such
, as has been accomplished this past
! year by this institution. Surely it is
worthy of the finest cooperation and
!, support on the part Of everyone. TIC
have a part in such work in behalf
of the city of Rock Island is not only
! a daty. but a real privilege.
AS we look forward to the future
what are the needs of the institution
Briefly stated, here are few. Whil'
Rock Island has done much for III
L association there vet remains much t
: be done in order that the institution
: may be free to render the fullest pos
{ sihle service TO this community. N
5 Young Mems Christian association !
: se1 supporting in a financial way.
costs money to build character, an
the financial needs of the Rock Islam
association, being the accumulation Q
= the last four years. are pressing toda
nj in such manner that action must b
:. Immediately taken TO relieve the situa
y ton. The fourth story Of the buiad
ing which, If completed, would hous
> 10 additional young men, should b
. put in condition at the earliest pos
Is sihle moment Numerous repair
4 throughout the building which ar
le soreIy needed, should be made withot
y further delay, and a system OF annut
. subscriptions from every man an
20 business firm in the city that believe
u that the work Of the Young Men
y Christian association is doing fC
y Rock Island. is worth while, shoul
u be put into operation. This is on
u IN keeping with what PRACTICAL
m every other association in the countr
- is doing, for associations general
le find it necessary to raise approx
a mately 25 per cent of their annui
a. budgets yearly in subscriptions.
II When once the Rock Island bnilt
ing is completed and equipped in Il
ok manner which it merits and all il
n, debtedness which today is so emba
t RAISING is cleared away. the financir
IN of the work will be but a small iteI
MT whereas today. it is one that is a
ed soroiug nndue amount of time al
IL energy, and causing embarrassment
eli many ways. and materially reducil
es the effectiveness of the association
is. program in behalf of the city.
"a May We all work together in the
be coming months, that our associate
In building and work may be. placed
is such a position that it may be e
les abled TO do its work unfettered and u
US hampered, as it is. at the present tin
Mrs. Marie Johnson, 76, Rock |