Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-08-29
Y. N. c. A. WORK IS
EXPLAINED BY uNDLEY
General Secretary Gave Inter-
esting Review to Lions
Club Today.


That tho Young Mems Christian
Association no longer limits It's activ-
tiles to within tho four walls OF tho
associations building. but reaches out
TO every phase of community life, was
emphasized by A. E. Lindley, general
secretary OF tho Wilmington Y. NJ. G.
A.. who was the principal speaker Mt
the luncheon meeting of the Lions
Club at noon today In tho grill room
OF the Hotel du Pont.
The early history OF tho Y. NJ. G.
A. movement, both In England and
the United States, compared with the
present status OF the organization, is
n matter for deep thought and de-
liberation. Mr.. Lindley said. Tho or
ganization OF the Y. NJ. c. A., he stat
ed. was the thought Of Sir George
Williams, who started the association
movement In London, England. on
June 6. 1s44. The first organization
In the United States was effected in
1851. At that time. Mr.. Lindley said,
II was primarily the thought to or
ganize for the purpose of meeting the
needs of young men who fiocked TO
the cities from small country towns.
Relative to the first organization in
London, Mr.. Lindley pointed out. the
movement resulted In IL young men
volunteering to assist Sir Williams
Although 1t was first planned to make
the association of n religious nature
1t developed later. according 10 Mr.
Lindley's review, that tho young men
| needed more than religion
These sturdy fellows from the
country" said the speaker, 'soor
found that exercise was lacking; theiI
muscles relaxed. became of INSULT
Client exercise and lack of physical de.
velopment. II was necessary to In.
augurate n physical department into
the organization and this was followed
closely by tho forming of debating
societies. The success Of the Y. NJ
c. A. Is nothing more than marvellous
The movement has grown from tn,
small start which / have told you, un
I'll in America today we have 2,194 as
sociations. with an approximate mem
bership OF 100000 men and boys an,
5000 employed officers" said Mr.
Lindley.
According TO statistics, tho ne
value of Y. NJ. G. A. property is totale,
at s130,000.000 and current operating
; expenses, s4o,ooo,o0O. OF that amount
Mr.. Lindley said, 100000 is con
tributed by business men. or, 22h pc
cent of the operating expense. Tn
local association, IL was pointed ou
! Is without debt and the annual bulge
is fixed at 100000. The membershi
Is open to all men and boys of goo
, moral character. That the your 4 ma
who pays Sl2 n year for membershi
costs the association approximate
; $50. was emphasized by Mr.. Lindley
Tho present membership Of the VIII
mington Y. NJ. C. A. It was stated
: is 1900. OF this number AS boys com
prise tho Boys Division. During tn
past year 90 men have been living /
the building rooms; there are 19
regular occupants with 664 roomer,
The local association employs a sta.
OF eight men. Tho volunteer worker
on committees number 200 men. Tn
association maintains a united educs
tional school system whereby
scholar is enabled TO continue wit
his course after having been given
start In the Y. NJ. c. A. instructio
course.
During the past year, Mr.. Indie
said, 2l0 men have been enrolled
the 20 different classes. Twelve hur
dred of the 1900 members are takin
physical training. Each new memb,
is examined physically prior TO bein
admitted TO membership. Last yes
gymnasium activities We're carried c
by $500 men and boys; games bowie
totaled $500; swimming was taugl
TO 1850; the pool during the year W.
used by $4,000 and the number
. bathe in the pool totalled $4,000.
: Outside the building the associate
' supervises the Church Athlet
, League and SO different teams
!. quotes, basketball, bowling and bas
: ball. Weekly physical instruction
given in four public schools with &
average attendance of 2,700 each wee
The association also supervises att
letics at the Ferris Industrial SchoC
The city-wide swimming campais
, was also conducted by the Y. NJ.
: A, working in cooperation with Il
y American Red Cross.
), The association maintains a W,
= equipped boys department. The a
tendance at Bible class last year nur
bered $500; the average attendan
at all religious meetings number
:, $4,000 and 500 New Testament boo
- We're distributed free. This is on
some of the work we are doing" N
y Nndley said. THE association do
y not attempt to force religion on any
- its members. but it does try to add +
- ligious influence"
. Mr.. Lindley, a native of Virgin
came TO Wilmington three years az
:. Since assuming charge of the Y. NJ.
- A. work here. he has met with u
usual success.
IN TT IN n ~ FllHA NIs sAa -