The Detroit times., 1917-11-15
What the Y. M. c. A. Is Doing
BY Or. FRANK CRANE
Copyright l9l5.sby Frank Crane)

The war is on Come along And if
YOU can't come along, come across.
Shoulder a musket. If. for any reason,
you cannot, then shoulder responsibility;
out with your pocketbook and help
The y NJ. c. "A. is asking the people
Of the United States for $35,O0O,OOO.
We have already given literally in
taxes and other ways (don't count the
Liberty loan, however; that was an in
vestment and you'll get 100 per cent re-
turn and more on the dollar), but if you
Go not contribute 10 the kind of welfare,
work the y NJ. c. A. is doing, the value
of what you have already given will be
eriously impaired.
The u NJ c. A. keeps the soldier fit
The government gives him rifle. but
the u NJ c. A. puts the pep in the spirit
behind the rifle.
The government gives the soldier a uni
form the u NJ. c. A. clothes his inner
man with cheer, comfort and courage.
The government gives the soldier or
ders the y. NJ c. A. gives him ideals. en-
abling him to carry out those orders with
superior efficiency.
The government hangs traitors and
.suppresses copperheads who seek 10 Grip
pie our army. the Y. NJ. c. A. fights
those subtler and far more dangerous
enemies that make weakings and cow
ards Of brave men; it fights drunkenness,
RIGHTEOUSNESS and all forms of moral
lesion.
The Y. NJ G. A. is not an organization
to get men into the church; its purpose
s TO help men in every way. body. mind
and spirit. 1t serves jew and Gentle,
Protestant, Catholic or Infdel, and asks
no questions.
Probably" says Donald Hankey, IN
"A Student in Arms probably most
men are immoral The conditions of mill
tary life. and especially Of active service,
ntensifies the temptation" Against this
enervatng immortality the Y. NJ. C. A
has proven itself the best bulwark known.
The Y NJ. C. A. does not try to make
sissy or q goodygoody Of your boy;
it works to keep him healthy, clean.
wholesome and decent.
Large bodies of men invariably tend to
slump into uncleanness. The Y. NJ. c. A.
has saved, is saving, thousands from the
mud and moral vermin that go with
Icoarseness and brutality.
The Y. VI. c. A. is 100 per cent efficient.
1t has no overpaid agents, It has the pick
Of the brave young idealists of the ma
ton as its agents, it holds its place by
no favor nor political intrigue nor reli-
gious bigotry, but by making good, by
the dynamic Of sheer helpfulness.
The Y NJ. C. A. helps the soldier to
write home, it provides entertainment
for his leisure, it gives friendly word
in his loneliness. it furnishes him that
encouragement and influence that help
to keep him up 70 the standard Of de-
cency ne had when he left home.
The Y. NJ. c. A. is the triumph Of tho
very best element in modern spiritual life,
devoted but not fanatic ideal but intense
/ Is practical, energetic but not oficious.
It isa cup Of water to the thirsty,
lfebuoy TO the struggler in the whirlpool
of war. the voluntary, concrete, capable
expression Of the peoples wish to help
and support the men who have offered
their lives for their country's defense.
You may want to object 10 the r. NJ.
IL. A. But don't do it until you have
something 10 offer that can do the re-
ouired bueinceq az we'll