Objects Of The Y. M. C. A.

The preamble of our constitution reads thus: "Actuated by a rtcsire to stimulate interest in evangelical religión among the young women of the city and vicinity, and to improve their intellectual, social and physical condition by means of an associatie: for young women . . ." There are several words in this that we need to study. The first is evangelical." To sum up briefly the definition as given by the nationil convention of the Y. W. C. A. those are evangelieal who believe that the Bible furnishes the only safe guide in life and that only throug-h the Lord Jesus Christ can we be saved. (Acts iv:10-12.) "Religión" doesn't mean golng to church, or even speaking in prayer meeting. It may and does mean this, but it also means much more. In James i:27 we have the Bible definition - religión means that which will enable us to walk through the world busy with good things and keeping away from evil. Look it up and see if that isn't just what it says. "Intellectual." Christ's own words ar, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind." The more capable we are the more we can do, the better our n.inds are trained the better we can plan the work we have to do, the more we know the more we shall be able to accomplish. We ought to give God the very best that we can be. "Social." "He that hath friends must show himself friendly." Does that simply mean that if we are not friendly we won't have friends? I don't believe that. It seems to me that it means something like this, "If you have friends and enjoy them be friendly to someone who hasn't so many, perhaps, as you have. Share your good times with someone else. Now we hope this will be a "ride and tie" society (I'll teil you what that means some other time), a friendly sisterhood, a place where we shall meet on common ground, where each shall give and each shall get something good and pleasant and real." "Physical." Christ brought strength and health to so many sufferers while he was on earth that at last we have gotten the thought "of a duty to be well." The day is past when a saint is a palé hermit, li%ring in a cave or cell, and eating bread and water. Nowadays a saint is oftenest one who is out and about the Father's business and a strong body is a very useful factor in the work. Rom. xii:l says it is a "living sacrifice" that is wanted. One who is full of life and health can carry sunshine and cheer about with them and bring it into the lives of other people. That is why the association makes so much of physical culture, talks on "How to keep well," etc., etc. - There are duties connected with the association. it wouldn't be good for anything if there were not. It is the duty of the active member to extend the work, reaching out after those who don't come of themselves, to assist in what we are trying to do. Some can give money, some can give time, some can give enthusiastic interest. One can bring in new members, another can help in the devotional meetings, another can make or give somethins tr help furnish our room, someone eise can be hostess in that room for certain afternoons or evenings. Everyone can do, or give, or be something to help along. We are to seek out young women who may not attend church and induce them to go, young women who may not have friends here or who may need better ones, and show them what a friend a Christian woman can be, young women who do not have a home here and give them a touch of home around that cosy tea table we're going to have in our rooms. We are to become personally helpful to each other in all possible ways. We have com-mittees who have been at work these past weeks and with good results. The prospect is that very soon we shall be settled in our association home. for whose furnishing many things have already been given, and towards whose support a number of "sustaining members" have generously pledged themselves. We plan evening classes (of which a list of subjects will soon be offered), pleasant class socials being one feature of these, and parlor talks by those who are well fitted to both teach and entertain by them.