East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1956-01-26


bed. If they went out seeking relax
alton, what was there for them
but the pubs and dives of London ?
In this environment the Young
Mems Christian Association was
born.
George Williams, the founder,
was the product Of a vigorous
evangelical movement then stirring
to life in England. 1t was a time
Of awakening interest in practical
religion, with various societies at
tempting to translate religion into
daily activities.
George Williams was strongly
influenced by the writings of an
American evangelist, Charles G.
Finney, noted for his strait moral
ity and lack of denominational
emphasis"
The germ of his idea was Chris
tian brotherhood, strength through
fellowship: a mutual banding to-
gether of young men for self i'm
p~ovement, for social and spiritual
development, free Of sectarian in
terests.
The idea had widespread appeal.
Young men flocking to cities
everywhere, facing the same prob
lens, turned to the Y in their need.
And so the new idea grew,
sailed the world, crossed the
oceans, spread to other continents.
In 1854, it came to Cleveland.
One-hundred and two years later
the YMCA is still growing. Young
ideas coupled with a dynamic
nature and mature judgment have
made it capable Of change and
invulnerable to the pitfalls of less
adaptable movements. From the
beginning the power of decision has
lain within the hands Of the lay
men making up the membership.
Represented by associations in
" countries and territories, the
Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion today boasts an active world
membership of 4,242,819. Non
denominational, it embraces all
races, faiths, and creeds. Each of
the hundreds Of associations is
self-governing. Acting as liason
between these independent asso-
citation is the Worlds Alliance of
Young Mems Christian Associa-
tions, with headquarters at Geneva,
Switzerland. During August of
last year, the international alliance
marked it's Tooth anniversary as
10000 delegates gathered for con-
ferences in Paris, 21 of them from
Cleveland.
On this continent, a National
Council stands ready to aid indi-
vidual associations with leader
ship and guidance. Close co-opera-
tion is carried on between associa-
tions Of the United States, Canada
and Mexico.
Each "Y" has "local autonomy"
that is, it controls itself. Some
Associations are more alert and
progressive, more active and rem
der more service than others. Each
Association is as good as its men,
bers make it.
In Cleveland and elsewhere the
past century has seen people in
all walks of life drawn magnetical-
ly to the movement by the force
of its program, purpose, and con-
tinued accomplishments. Just two
years ago, more than 10000 Cleve-
landers re-affirmed their faith in
the YMCA by giving devotedly
of their time, money and effort
to a vast building program.
The laymen who make up the
backbone of the YMCA and the
professional staffmen who handle
the tools of the "trade" have proven
an unbeatable team, activated as
they are by a combination of self
determination and democratic pro-
cedures. Through these men, wom-
en-, boys, and girls, the YMCA
in your neighborhood, and neigh
borhoods across the world, is at
work developing the physical, So
cial and spiritual life of the COM
munity.