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State Y. M. C. A. Convention

State Y. M. C. A. Convention image
Parent Issue
Day
16
Month
October
Year
1894
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The annual state convention of the Michigan Y. M. C. A began its sessions in the Presbyterian church of this city Thursday evening of last week, with a large attendance. The appearance of the clean, wholesome ooking young men who sssembled there was in glorious contrast with he thuggish mugs and painted noses hat assernble at the horse race and he prize fight, and furnished a livng object lesson in decency and morality, even with the question of devotional piety unconsidered. The meeting was called to order )y State Secretary Clark and prayer was offered by Mr. Francis, after which Rev. Alexander Patterson, of Zhicago, was introduced. Mr. Clark in introducing him added hat after the work of the convenion was concluded Mr. Patterson would remain for further work and closer acquaintance with the people of Ann Arbor. Mr. Patterson noted that the theme on the proram was "The Keynote," but as ie was not musically educated he 'did not know a keynote from any ther note" - a great "note" on the reacher. He thought, however, it uist be the best note. He preached from the subject of Gideon, who with his 300 trusty followers scattered the army of the Midianites. Gideon's band was the first Y. M. C. A convention. Skill and zeal were the prime requirements to success. He related the story of Dr. Livingston in África, who could not preach, but prepared the way for others. There was much in knonring what one couid not, as wcll as what one could do. In these days of intellectual theological and social upturnings, one should be prepared for the unconscious test to be found in one's every-day life. Mr. C. K. Ober, of New York, followed with a review of the work of the Y. M. C. A. of America, onethird of whom were to be found in colleges, in 19 of which special buildings have been erected at an expense of $7oo;ooo. In the past year the S. C. A. had influenced 3,000 students to Christianity. The chair appointed a temporary business committee as follows: Clarence Swift, of Kalamazoo; H. R. Jones, of Olivet; and Frank Dice, of Saginaw. Following are the committee on nominations: R. B. Smith, Detroit James Bailey, Benton Harbor; H Dykhinson, Port Hope." The convention proper is represented by about 300 delegates. Friday morning, the hospitalities of the city and a cordial welcome were extended to the delegates, in cordial addresses by Mayor Darling and President Chas. Wagner, of the Ann Arbor Y. M. C. A. The following officers were chosen: President, Rev. L. P. Rowland; first vice-president, Henry Ictema, of Grand Rapids; second vice-president, J. T. Jenkins, of Detroit; third vice president, O. L.Partridge, of Alpena; secretary, I. K. Swindt, of Olivet College, assistant secretary, E. E. Green, of Kalamazoo. Rev. Thomas E. Barr, of Kalamazoo, read a paper 011 "The Association as a Channel of Institutional Work." Several letters to the same purpose were also read, as also reports from Michigan Colleges, with encouraging accounts of the progress of the work. In the evening A. E. Flindt, of Adrián, chairman of the coramittee on "Devotional Meetings," reported assignments of various clergymen to the several churches of the city at special services at 10:30 a. m., Sunday. A service at 3:30 p. m. for men only was named, to be held at the Presbyterian church, and for women only at the same hour at the Congregational church, Rev. A. Patterson in charge of the former and Rev. Wm. Francis of the latter. The report of Treasurer Thompson showed last year's expenses to have been $3,413.82. Receipts from pledges, $4,552.22. Disbursements, $4,431.10, leaving on hand $71.12. By the financial report a credit of $105.04, there being due in unpaid pledges $i.,o87.68, while unpaid salaries amount to $981.94. H. G. VanTuyl, of Detroit, read a paper on the foundation and growth of the association, the first n America having been established in Montreal in 1851. The entire membership is now about 500,000. The first association in Michigan was that of the University of Michigan in 1858; it was also the first college association. The first association building was that of the De:roitrailway branch, erectedin 1875, 3eing also the first Association railway men's building in the world. The first state convention was held at Saginaw, Rev. J. M. Gelston, o Ann Arbor, being a delégate. The first secretary was L. P. Rowland, now the president. There are now 34 associations in the state, with a membership of 8,000. The Lansing association is the o'nly one which has gone into bankruptcy, which was the result of special circumstances. New associations are Calumet, Grand Haven and Ann Arbor. The speaker felicitated the convention on the fact that in a billious year and with four political parties preying on the moral constitutions of men, the membership of the Y. M. C. A. had increased throughout the state. The Argus is free to say that with the hard times brought by high tariff republicanism which compelled the state association to reduce expenses $700, for the year, the association is to be congratulated on its work. Referring to athletics the speaker announced a great forging ahead of muscular Christianity. The death of Prof. Estabrook was feelingly referred to. Wm. Francis, referring to the subject of overdue pledges, said that some of them were old enough to walk. C. B. Willis took a black board i and covered it with squares, each square representing $10 and called iupon people to knock out the squares. The firing began and at the cluse of the meeting $1,500 worth of "bricks" had been slivered. A letter frotu President Angelí i was read, excusing his absence, he having been called to Madison, Wis. Saturday morning's sessiou was called to order by Yice-president Partridge, of Alpena, and Mr. Wilcox praised the excellent work of the Association paper, "The Voung Men's Era." Thanks were voted President Angelí for inviting the Association to visit the University, and greetings were ordered sent to the Y. W. C. A., then in session at Bay City. A short talk was givea by Geo. B. Hodge, representing the international committee of the association, in favor of more energetic educational work. The report of Secretary Clark showed 34 organizations in the state, 23 being city, 10 educational atifr 1 railroad association. In the past year Mr. Clark liad traveled 23,243 miles, 13,176 being in Michigan. He favored oratorical associations between the various state colleges. Saturday being "Jubilee Day" Rev. Patterson took as his subject, "The Jubilee in Scripture." His discourse was followed by remarks of old members of the Y. M. C. A. and songs were sung by C. B. Willis, which finished the forenoon session. The afternoon and evening sessions of Saturday were devoted to the reading of papers and discussion, participated in by members of the Woman's Auxiliary clubs, Mr. Hodge, Prof. Putman, General Secretary Ward, F. A. Dubridge, C. K. Ober, Rev. Patterson and others, which closed the work of the convention.

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Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News