New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-25
BROWN WRITES OF
Y. N. {. A. IN EAST
Former Local Official Busily En-
gagged in Japanese Cities

of the activities of Franklin H. Brown,
formerly connected with the local as
ISOLATION, who is now engaged IN
similar work in Japan:
The past six months has been the
successful opening of work in the new
building dedicated in September: tne
Yokohama City Association and the
Tokyo Imperial University Student AS
ISOLATION.
The Yokohama. building, OF rein
forced concrete, though costing $4S,-
900. including land, is a model Tor
economical arrangement OF space ana
departmental activities. After six
months usage, the only regret that
has been expressed is regarding the
location of one small store closet. To
be sure, more space is desired, es-
pecially in the gymnasium, but con-
sidering the money spent for an asso-
citation building in a city OF half a
million habitants, 1t is d1mcult to
suggest any improvements. Early In
the year the membership reached one
thousand, pressing hard on Tokyo,
Osaka and Seoul. The work Of the
Yokohama Y. M. G. A. for several
years has been confined to educational
and Bible classes in a few unattrac-
tive rented rooms, but the city Is now
alive to the fact that the Christian
forces of the gateway Of the Orient
have received strong reinforcements
One of the hardest tasks before Gen
eral Secretaries Omura and Sneyd is
the training Of force of secretaries
to handle the suddenly enlarged work.
Considering the fact that we have
as yet no trained Japanese physical
directors, and that have been able
to give Yokohama only two days a
week, great interest has been main
tanned in the physical department
activities. Because of the present lack
in trained leadership no attempt has
yet been made to organize physical
work for boys, the effort Of the first
season being concentrated on the
younger business men. For time
this effort met with a fair response,
but not such as we felt justified in ex-
pecting. The appointment Of a live
committee, and a we'll worked up
physical department banquet turned
mediocrity into a complete success.
Ninety-six members attended this first
banquet of its kind in Japanese Asso-
citation history, and an inspiring talk
was given by Mr.. Hiranuma, M. p,
who is one Of Yokohama's prominent
citizens, and an ex-athlete. This was
followed by a chalk talk on g. pro-
posed more elaborate organization Of
the gymnasium class work. The i'm
mediate result OF this function was a
doubling Of the class attendance and a
high interest that was sustained |
throughout the balance Of the season. |
Although the Yokohama gymnasium Is |
rather small, it's complete equipment
makes possible q more all around
work than can yet be attempted in the !
o{%{ no jf,fa
ance of a real class organization Is
greatly helped by the presence of three
young men who are beginning their
training as physical directors. Cen
eral Secretary Omura is organizing a
Bible class among the gymnasium
men.
In addition to Japanese classes,
there has been gymnasium work Civ
en- to two foreign groups. one COM
posed Of thirty English and Amer
lean boy scouts, the other being
cosmopolitan group of forty-eight
business men representing twelve ma
tionalities.
Both have maintained an even
higher percentage of attendance than
the Japanese classes, though this will
probably be more than evened up
when competent native physical d.
rectors are available. With few ex-
ceptions, foreign teachers for Jap
anese classes are at best only make
shift
1t may be Of interest to know that
there are several Chinese residents
who are members of the regular
classes, having been introduced by
their friends.
w. Scott Ryan, formerly physical
director Of the Wichita, Kansas
Young Mems Christian Association
arrived in January and will be asso-
ciated with me in the physical de-
partment work Most of his time
is now occupied In language study.
but he has been able to give some
help in Yokohoma, especially since
the near approach of the far eastern
championship games has claimed the
major share of my time for several
months.
Work on the national headquarters
building and on the physical depart
ment Of the Tokyo Association has
been progressing more slowly thai
we expected. We are in the midst
Of an expansion in equipment to
which we have looked forward for
years, though while the machinery is
being installed and supervisors are
being trained the output is necessarily
limited. The first period of my serv-
ice out here seems to be given over
to installing new machinery in vari-
Gus places but the time to which
look forward with greatest pleasure is
when all new plants will begin to JUS
tify themselves by a large output of
direct Christian service.
Respectfully submitted,
+. Fl. BROWN.
Athletics in Orient.
The following letter has been re-
ceived from Mr.. Brown, giving the