Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-18

BaptlSt church and an energetic I. M. v. | A worker. James c. Macpherson made | his first public appearance as president | of the Y. M. c. A. at the service Sunday | evening.
 The meeting was opened at 7:30o'clock | with the singing of the Doxology follow ing which a brief prayer was offered by | Rev. William H. Bath, district superin- tendent of the Methodist denomination | A scripture selection was read by Rev. | Robert L. Roberts, who on Sunday as- stunned the pastorate of Trinity NJ. E. church. Rev. George H. Strouse, pastor of the First Baptist church. offered a fervent prayer which was followed by the singing of Onward, Christian Soldiers. President Macpherson spoke briefly. voicing he appreciation of the Y. M. c. A. board and officers of the splendid support given the "Y'' by the churches and public. MT. Macpherson paid tri- bute to the Woman'sl Auxiliary, touched briefly on the foreign work which the local Y is doing through the support of a secretary in China and also made ref erence to the new building which the l local association hopes to erect in the General secretary's Report Edwin Hill. general secretary of the association, then read his report as fol- lows: -''
 I The celebration of our anniversary brings with it mingled feelings of joy and sadness; joy because the Heavenly Father has been so kind to us. much more so l than we deserve. and sadness at the | thought of our poor service rendered, and 1 our failure to accomplish what we had hoped at the beginning of the year. | However, we are grateful for any suc- | cess God has given us, and again register i our appreciation that He has thought us worthy of a place in His great vineyard.
 The year just closed was the first full | year on peace. basis since the terrible catastrophe of the world war. We recall again and again the opportunity that was ours to serve the noble young men in uniform during that eventful period. and the occasional letters still come telling us of the place the Norwich '. M c. A. holds in the affections of those who. when far
 away from home in the service of their country, found what they considered. un- der the circumstances, a place that they t, were willing to consider a substitute for
 that which is to every normal young man
 the dearest place on earth, Home, sweet
 home"
 Frequently the boys in blue visit us
 nowadays, and it is our pleasure to serve
 them as best we can.
 Our Aim.
 There has never been a time when we were more thoroughly convinced that the
 fundamental ideals of thes Young Mems
 Christian association are vital and prac-
 tical than. now, and the longer we follow
 these ideals the stronger our conviction
 becomes that the young man needs the program based upon these ideals. that the
 the association is endeavoring to carry | n tO hIyilI wall
 hood.
 When we say that city has no greater asset than it's boys and young men, we speak that which is absolutely true, pro- vided these boys and young men have characters that result from a symetrical , development of their social. mental, phy.
 sical and spiritual capacities.
 !, Any institution, of whatever name that } stands for this fourfold program is most !; certainly worthy of the surport and
 friendship of every individual who has the right kind of interest in the community.
 Social Work.
 The social contacts that are made have
 much to do with the direction of a life and, realizing that. the Y. M. c. A. en. , deavors to maintain healthy social at.
 mosphere, clean and wholesome. where
 the young fellow can enjoy a pleasant
 evening without being forced to mix witr
 those who seem to care little for tn, higher levels of life. The past year ha, seen the development of a strong socia
 spirit in our building.
 l Physical.
 There was a time when little attention was given to the care of the body ant : during that period the grim reaper gath
 cred a vast harvest year by year. but il 2 these more recent days we have come t | see that 1t is even more important tha d we care for these heshly houses tha1
 that we pay too much attention to tn securing of fine homes built of wood an
 stone. The two words physically unfit # came to be used VI th great frequenc t. when young men pretNsted themselves fo g army and navy service when we entere
 the world war, and the number thu n turned down was appalling. The Youn : Mems Christian association in its physics }, department offers to boys, young men an
 business men an opportunity to keep thei
 bodies fit, and the exercises given ar
 planned on the safe, short. beneficial an easy basis, making physical exercise pastime as well as a direct benefit, so ths y man need not be old until he is full e into the proverbial three score year an .- ten" limit, and even then he can be youn el in spirit.
 v. During the past year our gymnasiu, r. was a very busy place, and under th l. guidance Of competent instructor man el young man and boy has received dil t, tinct benefits that will be lasting. An CT l. larged program will be planned for tt l. coming year; beginning at once. sprin
 and summer activities will be inaugura er ed' including plenty of outdoor work. g Educational.
 ,e Partly on account of conditions in or n building, we have not been able to carr i. out our educational program as we wou in like, but what we have done has bee .r practical and those to whom we ha, ,a m1nistered have expressed appreciation ,e our service in this direction
 1s In addition to a we'll supplied readin
 room, we have been able to conduct ar class for foremen in modern product, ra methods, some 40 foremen taking fl is course of 12 lessons. The studies i, ir eluded practically every principle pertai i1 ing to successful conduct of manufactu at ing. We have had the privilege of mini - terins to some Is ex-service men in an a ef ucational way; scholarships have he, na awarded in collegiate and corresponden V courses. This was made possible hv fl ., international war work committee's a vs propriation, the local committee acting a. agent for the head office. Very since ,ir and deep appreciation has been express
 by these ex-service men.
 We made beginning in Amerieaniz non work during the past year, and f
 i-tentlon IS to enter more fully into tf :R neld or service in the coming year. v feel that we are obligated to render q. S possible service to the people of oth .n countries who have come to live sno, lS- us. eSnecialIv that fbAv ~.,.- ;-I,l :,