Evening star., 1925-10-24
Text of President Coolidge's Speech
Praising International Y.M.C.A. Work

The text Of the Presidents address
today before the opening session of
the International convention of the
Y. NJ. G. A. follows in fun:
"Mr. Chairman, Members Of the
Convention:
This gathering has hroueh, TO-
sether from nearly all the American
States and Canadian Provinces the
lay leaders OF what has come to he
A great world movement. 1t is body
representative OF Young Mems Chris
tian Association not only of large
and small cities. and of the town and
the countryside. but also OF those
located In institutions OF learning
centers Of industry. at the converg
ence OF railroad systems. in Army
and Navy posts and stations. and
among our Colored population. Where
ever there are young men. these assO-
Citations recognize that there IL a field
for their activities.
This Ia one Of the oldest inter
national conventions that are held
on this continent. For more than the
allotted span OF three score years and
ten II has h.en In existence. forming
one of the strongest bonds of common
interest between the Provinces nd rhe
states. II illustrates in most strik
Ing way that the influence Of men
banded together 10 do good tends
to increase rather than 10. diminish.
The lay forces of these two great
North American powers. In their
united efforts 10 preserve the faith
and build up the character of youth
have not only seen their power Sradu-
ally extended until II reaches an In.
Vulnerable host. but have also seen il
contribute to greater harmony of
interests between two neishboring
nations.
since 1851. when the first inter.
national assOcia lions included only the
beginnings in Boston and Montreal
the movement has spread over the
earth until now It includes 5000
bra nches In more than 50 different
countries. with active membership
OF 1000 900. not including other mil.
lions OF older men who through their
past contact have broadened their
vision. raised their Ideals and
strengthened their character One ot
the greatest services which our coun
try has rendered to huma nifty ha.
beNn in providing almost entirely the
initiative. leadership and fnancia
support which have carried the aSso
Citations into nearly every corner Of
the globe.
Merit Has Been Proved
I'll must he apparent that such =
far-reaching success. running over 81
long period OF time could not have
been accomplished unless IL was max
Ing An important contribution te
society and was In harmony with the
vital forces OF progress Institution.
which are not useful decline ant
perish. Ii is only those which minis
ter 10 The needs Of their times which
increase and multiply Time test.
ont every appeal and proposal. hu
rejecting all others grants and adopt,
only those which contribute TO tbs
breadth and vahe Of life. II coult
only he because 1t was recosnized a,
performing most notable service tha
this movement. lasting 40 long anc
spreading SO far. could have reached
its present state OF strength anf
viriIity.
This movement has brought int
existence and organized one Of III,
greatest lay forces that the world ha,
ever seen. One OF the chief charsc C.
teristics OF Christia nifty is that it is 8
militant and crusadlns faith. Thos.
who have become psrtakers of IT.
inspirations and its consola tions sine.
II f1rst began its early march oveI
tkO
empire. have been constant spread
ing its truths among all their associ
ates. II. that faith Ia TO maintain #,
vitality that work must go on. Ii Is
not enough that there should he actor
In the Dulpits-there must he reaction
In the pews. II will MOI hSseHf7fcfen n,
To have exalted preaching hv tht
clergy unless there is exalted LIVING
by the laity. Your Christian Associa
lions rtrresAnt practfcel effort I,
organize and augment in every helr
the lay forces and IN translate ri.
truths of religion into the life IT tn.
people
Hope of Future In Youth.
1T ia increa sinelr true that IN.
hope of the future lies In the youtr
Of the present. Proba blv no other la p,
force asserts so large an infuenc.
upon the young people as that which
You represent. 1t stands as direc
challenge TO materialism. 1t is con
stant assertion that there is some
thins more than the things that ar.
seen. 1t seeks 10 overcome the tend
ency OF an age OF profusion which II
40 likely to develop into a condition
OF luxury and plea sure. selfshness M
ease. destructive OF the vitality ant
'hc' HNtN' VI SotittN II IN All Ell OF
10 secure that development which
only comes through action. and I,
strengthen the physical. intellectual
and moral life by an ever active cam
paisn against disease. ienora
poverty. and other evils. II seeks I,
create better understanding. to revee
young men IN themselves 10 show
them their great powers. to direc
them into unselfish ways. TO Civ.
them more self-control and hroad de-
the whole scope OF their lives. Ii i,
most practical effort in the trainin,
Of citizenship.
"One of the important results of al
these activities Ia the preparat ton o
young men to be the future heads o
the homes OF the people. There ar,
too many indications that the func
tions of parenthood are breakin,
down. Too many people are neglect
ing the real well being OF their chill
dren. shifting the responsibility To-
their actions. and turning over super
vision OF their discipline and conduc
TO the juvenile courts. 1t is state,
on high authority that very lars,
proportion of the outcasts and crimi
nails come from the ranks Of thos,
who lost the advantages OF norma
parental control in their youth. The,
are the refugees from broken home,
who were denied the necessary benefit.
Of parental love and direction.
The home Il the corner stone Of IN.
Nation. and any effective better home.
movement must begin with the train
ink of the youth for those responsi
bilities. or we shall see the disposition
to attempt in some way To turn over
to the Government the responsibilities.
for the rearing OF children consta ntI,
increased. What the youth Of thu
country need is not more public con
troll through Government action, bu
more home control through parenta
action.
Reaching High Schools.
"rhese associations are An effort iT
Y