Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-17

young man to take up a Christian
life. At 10, he went to work with a
firm OF diapers in st. Pauls Church
yard, London, who went under the
name Of Hitchcock & Rogers. He
later became a partner in this firm
and the name was changed to Hitch
cock, Williams and Co. After COM
ing to London he singled out the
various members of the working force
Of the firm and one at time helped
them to attain to a better life. He
inaugurated regular prayer meetings
in his room and soon the movement
swept the entire establishment. Then
/ it was extended to other firms of
like nature in the city. 1t was at this
time that the name Young Mems
Christian Association" was adopted.
At the age of 80, he married Miss
! Hitchcock, the daughter of his en-
ployer. and she did everything pos
sible to help him in his great work.
Sir George was knighted by Queen
Elizabeth in 1894 at London on the
event of Jubilee of the founding of
the Y. NJ. c. A. In 1901 and again in
1905, he visited this country and on.
! both occasions his trip was one
great ovation. He died in November.
1905 leaving this last message which
his close friend, John Wanamaker
country, Watch the adversary, love
one another, keep true, flight on, win
the battle"
Mr.. Jordan was then introduced
and he gave a fine talk on the work
Of the "Y" drawing illustrations for
| each point from the store of ex-
! periences which he has had in his 50
| years at Bangor. He first told two
humorous stories about his ability as
a speaker and then told of a meet
ing which he had held at Jail this
morning. He intimated that he was
unable to make as good a showing
there as formerly, owing to national
prohibition, which had reduced the
number of inmates from an average
of 100 men to the present number of
p. He said that at this meeting six
men made their decision to turn to
God. He then told of receiving word
from New York of a young man who
had left there to come to Maine and
who had not been heard of since. He
went to the Jail and while there saw
one man who answered the descrip-
ton perfectly. The man had given a
fictitious name when arrested and
when spoken to by the name given
in the notice he responded before he
! ~1, he 1,o "a cto IN
! Jail four months, through the in
fuence of Mr.. Jordan he was set on
the right path and at the present
| time is a lawyer in New York. A
while ago his parents came to Ban
| gor especially to see Mr.. Jordan and
| to thank him for what he had done
for their boy. He spoke of other
people who had written 10 him prais-
ing the work which he and the
other ~" workers were doing.
| Mr.. Jordan then gave few inter-
esting statistics about this organiza-
ton. Briefly there are 1000 local
organizations with a total member
ship of 100000 and public spirited
! people had up to the present time
contributed $120,00O,00O for this use
| full work.
He then took up the problem of
! the boy who leaves the farm and
goes to large city to work. In
clear forceful words he painted the
path the boy Travelled to get to the
city and then the path which threat
ened him if he could not get under
the influence of some association
such as the "Y," utnil his audience
could almost see it.. He showed what
difference this wholesome influence
would make.
This meeting was we'll attended
and gave to the people of Augusta a
new insight into the work of the
! the "Y."