Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-07-20
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1918.
DESERVING THE Y. M. c. A.

DESERVING THE Y. M. &. A.
It was with genuine regret and concern that
we were informed yesterday of the decision of
the Board of Directors of the Y NJ c.. A to
close the doors as an institution on the last of
the month; and we believe we voice the feeling
of the people generally who have the civic in
terest and welfare at heart when we say that
the plan is step backward.
We cannot blink the fact, to be sure, that the
financial condition of the Association is dis
couraging, and that it has been so for months
and ears. We do not overlook the fact that
there has never been the popular. interest in
and support of the institution which it deserves
We do not even forget that there has been
group of few individuals comparatively who
have kept it afoat all the time. 1t has always
looked like a hopeless proposition from fnan-
cial standpoint, and we understand it never
looked darker than it does today. From pure
y financial standpoint we do not wonder that
some of the directors felt they had better let
it go.
But, on the other hand, we do not for one mo-
ment lose sight of the fact that the Young
Mems Christian Association as an institution is
an asset to community which, in the first
measured in terms of dollars and cents, and
which, in the second place. deserves to be sup
ported even though such support may fall
heavily upon a few people, Because the insti-
tuition has not lived up to its greatest possibili
ties is no justification for deserving it. Poten-
TALLY the Young Mems Christian Association is
force which makes for civic and community
uprightness in field where there is no other
force operating with equal advantages. It's
province is three-fold-physical mental and
spiritual; and if it is made to live up to its pos
sibilities. it will more than justify itself.
It is perhaps idle to talk of the local institu-
ton as justifying itself on business grounds
row, inasmuch as we are accustomed to speak
Of business standards in terms of money But
The point which the citizens of the community,
It seems to u.s. need to realize now is that they
are facing the loss of an institution which they
cannot afford to. be without, from a moral
standpoint We know what the Y. NJ. C. A.
has done for other communities, and we can
well judge from those cases what it might do
here; and we also fear for what would spring
up to take the place of the present institution
IN the lives of many young boys and men who
use its facilities now. A Young Mems Christian
Association is, in material sense, a civic guar
antee against deplorable conditions; it stands
always as champion Of what is right, and it is
always ready to take part in any movement
which works for better conditions AS such
the business men of the community might well
put money up to back the institution. In the
form of better conditions it will yield a return
to them.
We do not believe the Y. NJ. C. A will be diff
ferent from any other institution if it is allow
ed to fall through now and later an attempt is
made to revive it. It will be much more diff
cult to put it upon its feet again than it is to
tide it over the present crisis. From the stand
point of reputation among other communities
il viii be difficult for Martinsburg to hold hel
head high in this respect. The institution
when it is alive and active and efficient grows
into something more than an individual insti-
tuition; it becomes an integral part of the com.
munity and civic life. and as such it deserves
the support, and liberal support, Of all citizens