They Need More Help

Töe Studente' Cbristian Association of U. of M. waa organized as such in 185758, springing out of a missionary society, and may lairly claim to be the oldest organization of its kind in this country. The only Association that disputes this claim is that of the Students of the University of Virginia. At the Quarter Centennial celebration oí its founding the project of erecting a building lor its epecual usewaB-firet broached. Duriog all these years the Assochtion has enjoyed a constant growth both in numbers and influence. From a handful of students, who ii8ed to meet once or twice a week in a recitation room, the Association has grown to be a body numbering upwards of four hundred. lts work has iacreased so as lo include 12 regular weekly meetings, embracing prayer-meetings of classes in the ïarious departments, hospital meetings to cheer and edify the tisk, Bible classes, befides special meetings, socials, religious eanvaBsing and other forms ot ('hrisiian activity. This Aseociation is the only orgamzition in the Universily that aims to do distinctively religious work. Under its auspices misaionary and temperance meetings have been held and connected direct]y with it are two bands of young people, one the ministerial, whose members look iorward to the work of the Cnristian inistry, and the other the Missionary band, whose merubers are preparing them selves for home or toieign miseionary lields. During all its history the Association has been wholly Iree from any narrow spirit of sectarianism, while maintaining decidedly evangelical and positive Christian character. Under ita influence many of our students have gained newandhigher views of Ufe and have consecrated thennelvea to the work of preaohing the gospel. lts indirect influence upon the moráis and life of the entire student cnmmunity haa been marked our salutary. Entirely voluntary in all its operations and untrammeled in its development, no one who is acquainted with the hisiory of this Student society can fail to be impressed with its far reach ing power for good, and with the large ineasu.-e of' useful service that it has already rendered. To go to one of its Sun day morning meetings, which are attended frequently by tour or five hundred young men and women, or to be present at one of its anniversaries hele with an audience of more than two thousand, the msjority of whom are young men, is to gei some impression of the opportunities for good presented ia the field occupied by this Association. Great as the prusperity and usefulness of the Association have been in the past, everv one at all acquainted vvith the situatioti will admit that with proper facilities the work accomplished would have been much greater. What are its present facilities.? A low and ill-furnished room, fitted up from a recitation room in one of the old winge. of the main building, not capable of seating comfortably more than a hundred persone, ie the only local habit ution this society possesses. No reading room, other than this, no common asseinbly room, no place for social gatherings, no llbrary worthy of the name, in fact nothing that goes to make up an equipment for a Christian association of young people such as is to be found in manyol our krger institutions of learning and in most of our cities, is bere to be lound. But, as already stated, five years go a movement was started to ereot and equip a 8uitable building for the needs oí' the Association. First of all, by the contributionsof citizen?, membors of the faculty, and studente, $'2,500 was raised to buy a desirable site direotly opposite the entrance to the main Uüiversity building. Then sppeals for money to erect the building were sent out. Responses have came from large numbers of our alumni and fiiends. Uniortunately, most of our friends are not blessed with great wealth and it takes a large number ot email donations to make a sum adequate to such a purpose. A generous lady, Mra. Newberry, in Detroit, gave us f 15,000. This enabled us to begin our buildiug. Plans were adopted which were caloulated for an ture of about $20,000, without the iurniehing. As often happens in euch caaes, the plans were more expensive than was expected. The building is enclosed, the !unds are exhausted, and we need $3,000 to finish the interior in a suitable manner. Friends in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and elsewhere have already responded to our appeal. Shall we not receive donations from friends in other places, who are interested in the cause of Christian educa tion, and who appreciate the nature oL the work of euch an organization in this great IJniversity where eighteen hundred young men and women are today receiving the training and influences that are to fhape and control their life and work, and through them the life and desliny of untold numbers throughoul the entire northeat? 1d its earlydays itwas a womanwno prayed that God would make this Association a great power for truth and righteousness. That prayer seems to bave been anewered Are there not those who will aid this good caue to greater prosperity by contributing to the completion of a commodious andpermanent home for the Students' Chrisiian Association of the University of Michigan?