New Britain Herald Newspaper, May 8, 1916, Page 5

Y. M. C. A. Observes 32rd Birthday at Sourh Church Large Gathering Hears E. C. Carter Speak of Work As- sociation Is Doing in War Zene and Urge Others to Take Up Work. The Y. M. C. A. observed the thirty- second anniversary last evening. ':\ith a light tion building at of its The exercises opened luncheon at the 6:30 associa- o'clock. After- ward about 300 members marched to the South where the anniversary carried out. The first organization of the asso- ciation lasted from 1857 to 1859; mecond, from 1867 to 1869, and present organization from 1884 u the present time. Incorporation | pers were taken out in 1885 and the main building w completed in 1889, destroyed by fire on November 26, 1906, and immediately rebuilt. The Charles S§. Land gymnasinm was completed in 1905. President E. M. Wightman ed at last night's exercises whicl epened with a scripture reading b Rev. Dr. G. W. C. Hill, pastor of tke South Congregational church. Rev. Dr. E. B. Cross, pastor of the Firs Saptist church, offered prayer. Secretary Barnes’ Report. General Secretary C. H. Barnes presented his third annual report, which follow: Congregational ~ church, program was the the tii presid- May 7, Mr, President and Friends: New Britain has again demonstrat- ed its appreciation of an orsanization which is helping to mould plas Into good citizens by providing better equipment and facilities for the Bo3 club. The response is characteristi of the good people of the city, who count it an investment rather than an expense, to provide the means for carryving on preventive work for the young men and women of the cit For thirty-two vears the Y .M. ¢ has helped voung men of the city to live clean lives and develop a balanced and well rounded character through physical, social, educational and re- ligious activities. Year by vear its program has been varied and broad- ened to meet the changing conditions of the city. At all times it has aimed to make its work practical, democratic and cosmopolitan. Standing, as it does, in the very center of the city, with its doors open to any man of good character, it en- rolls men of every nationality repre- sented in the city, regardless of their religious views or church connections. No attempt is made to force relizion 1916. o bovs on any man nor to proselyte, but each member is urged to attend and be loyal to the church of his choic Young men coming to the city as strangers are welcomed, and often work is found for them as well as a place to board. This service means much to young men who have broken home connections for the frst time. This is also a friendly service &ap- preciated by parents of these yourg men, as is testified to in the following extract from a letter received by the Association “‘Always a loval support- er of the Institution, my good opinion nd good will have been greatly en- larged since John's absence from home. I can now see the larger pos- sibilities of the Y. M. C. A. better 1 ever before I am sure that John's life was enlarged and en- riched because he found vou and other kindred spirits when entering a new life amid strangers.” Men coming from other Y. M. C. Al welcomed and their member- shipa transferred without dela Oour members Jeaving the city ave sent with letters of introduction to other Y. M. C. A’s which insures a wel- come in the strange city The New Britain association serves as a training station for men who later on are called into larger asso- ciations, and also does its share 7o recruit men for this service, A* least one man for the past dozen year has entered Y. M. C. A. work from New Britain. Last fall onc of our members, prominent as a com- mittee man and athlete, was selected by Mr. Wilson for a position h him in the Dupont Powder Co. Y. M. C. A, in Virginia During the past men were connected with the & tion. All departments were success- ful, some of them having the best records of any season as the follow summary show are youn vear 1,500 young ssocia- Physical Department. The physical department aims o provide exercise and play for men and boys through which they may attain and keep good health. The spirit of play abounds in all our gymnasium classes so that exercising is a pleasure, enjoyed alike by the business men and and the school boy. The enrollment and attendance in the classes during the past year was the largest in the history of the association, All-around athletic contests were conducted for men and boys, aquatic meets were Her Home is Protected by Edison MAZDA Lighting) Is Your Home Wired ? An electric light burning in the hallway or on the porch is a great protection, for the burglar always shuns the home that is elec- trically lighted. This is only one of the many advantages of electric service, but you can't tell how soon it may be of great value YOUR family. to For the balance of this month ONLY we are offering great inducements for the wiring of old houses. Special prices during this period and twelve months to pay. Also Maz- da Lamps FREE. The low cost of wiring and fixtures will surprise you. Ask us for an estimate today. Don'’t fail to take advantage of our present housewiring offer—you may never again have such an opportunity of getting “some- thing for nothing.” TheUnitedElectric Light & Water Co. 'PHONE 230 “Electricity for Everything.” PHO 230 L their life work, NEW, BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, MONDAY, MAY 8, 1916. 1 held, two basketball and two indoor | baseball leagues played off a schedule | of games, bowling tournaments were held in addition to scores of informal contests in all branches of the phy- sical department. A swimming cam- paign was conducted for the hovs of the city, last June, and dozens of in- dividual swimming lessons were given during the year. The total attend- ance for all activities in the physical department was 35,072. 701 gymna- sium classes were held with an attend- ance of 14,103, 29,826 baths were taken, and 101 men and boys were taught to swim. The physical department attracts more men to the 4 than any other department. Conse- quently the physical directors have a large opportunity to connect men with other activities of the Association. This opportunity was taken advantage of by the men in charge and splendid co-operation given to the other ae- partments, especially the religious work. probably ociation Educational Department. “Is it worth while to study?"” is a question that many young men of the city have answered in the affirmative because of the Y. M. C. A. Night school. The educational department aims to help meet the needs of young men handicapped in preparation for by providing an op- portunity for study in their spare time. Not only has the association offered courses of study in such fun- damenta] subjects as Mathematics and Drawing, but it also provided such specialized subjects as Accountancy, Commercial Law and Salesmanship. A very practical course in Business English was given for the first time. Foreign born men were taught Eng- lish and prepared for their citizenship examinations by lectures on Civies given by prominent lawyers of the cit A course in first aid was given for the bo; The orchestra has en- joved the hest season since its organ- zation, and has rendered valuable ervice at the Sunday meetings, he- ides giving a concert as the final number of the entertainment cours The William H. Hart Debating club conducted a series of debates, clos- ing its season with a dinner after an- other successful year. Men have been advised in relation to their work and positions found for those out of em- plovment. Thirteen different subjects were taught, enrolling 354 students. Four hundred and fifteen sessions and club meetings attracted an attendance of 4,590, Words of commendation often come from employers who have young men in the Y. M. C. A. Night schoel, and from the students, many of whom have received advancement because of their increased ability gained thro study in the association. One firm sent five of its young to study in one of the classes, paying all the charges— the best possible testimony of the prac- tical value of the educational depart- ment. Social Work The social spirit that prevades the building is immediately recognized by the stranger or the itor from an- other Y. M. C. A. This spirit of good fellowship extends into the education- al classes, expresses itself on the gym- nasium floor, and is felt in all par of the building, and in itself is more valuable than any formal social gram, During the fall and winter, when activities are at their height, the daily attendance runs over 400. A course of seven entertainments were es- pecially well attended, and in addition to these, stag socials, suppers, and club gatherings provided good social times for many men. The New Year's Open House, the largest event of the year, attracted many visitors to the association. A College club, organized among our young men now in college, held two meetings. The object of the club is to encourage High school boy to go on to College and to tnis er a scholarship fund was started, which will be used to help some students get a start in college this fall. Religious Work. While the aim of the association is to make the activities of all the de- partments contribute toward the re- ligious life of its members it conducts work of a distinctly religious nature. Special emphasis was placed upon pe sonal interviews by the employed of- ficers with the members. In 1 quiet way, men were influenced to change their way of living, connected with the church and helped in their personal problems by men sincereiy interested in their welfare. The Sunday after- noon meetings were especially well at- tended this vear. The Bible Study clubs were all well attended, espec ly the Right Living club, where pre tical questions of every day life were discussed by prominent profession:l and business men of the city. Suppers preceded these meetings. The Week of Prayer was observed with 2 talk to the men in the gymnasium and delegations of members attended the er meetings of their own church- The employed staff meet often for prayer and conference in the asso- ciation and teach Sunday school classes in the churches. A series of six lectures on Sex Hygiene was given before a group of 90 men by Dr. Seerley. Through personal interviews after these meetings, many men found answers for their personal problems. Seventeen meetings were held with an attendance of 1785. Seventy-eight men were enrolled in Bible Study clubs the attendance of which was 450. Two hundred and seventy-five person- al interviews were held. Back of the continuous activity of social, physical and educational events, lies a realiza- | tion of the spiritual needs of men and the religious ideals of the association. Perhaps the greatest shortcoming of | our Y. M, C. A. is its failure o share | in extending the influence of the Young Men’s Christian Association to foreign countries. But tart is now being made which we hope will lead | to the New Britain association help- | ing to support a man on the foreign field, and thus make the association a twenty-four hour a day Y. M. C. A. We have a unique opportunity to do so as two of our former secretaries are now on the foreign field, Mr. Hume in India, and Mr. Brown in Japan. Boys' Department. The Boys' Department reaches boyvs of th® adolescent age and thus exerts pro- c- | are a most nourishing Uneeda . nourishing of soda crackers. them at meals Biscuit for their food . flllSat them between meals‘m‘l ooy T cers. an influence time of their life. Opportunity given for them to release their pent up energy in the gymnasium, the gang instinct is satisfied by club organiza- tions, and leaders are developed among the older hoyvs to teach Bible Study classes, lead clubs, act as patrol leaders for the Boy Scouts and sist the physical directors in the gym- nasium. A cabinet and council among the boys is the back-hone of a mod- ified form of self government that works with splendid results. Among the outstanding events of the past year were the Kireside Groups, meeting Sunday afternocns: a series of Success Talks, given by prom inent men of the city to the ~mployca boys: the Father and Son banquet, attended by over 100 men and hoys; an Easter trip to Boston; a Summer camp on a new site, attended by for- ty-seven boys; three presentations of the play “Father Ex-Officio” and Dr. Seerley’s lectures. The Good Govern- ment club for employed boys, the Troops of Boy Scouts and the Teach- ers’ Training class provided instruc- tion along practical lines. A delega- tion of 22 hoys attended the State Con- ference, where six of our boys took a stand for Christian living. Twenty- three religious meetings were attend- ed by 475 boys. The attendance at Bible Study clubs was 868, with enrolled Sixty-five different social events attracted an attendance of 461. on them at the ‘critic is The association building serveg-as | a meeting place for many organiza- tions, and was used by the Hospital Board, the Sunshine Society, the Com monwealth club, the High School Ath letic Council, and different church or- ganizations, In conclusion we extend our thanks | and appreciation to the citizens of the city who have contributed toward the support of the work, and to the gen- tlemen ,of the press for their faith- ful presentation of the association's activities Grateful acknowledge- ment is made to the directors for their untiring efforts on behalf of ‘he asso- ciation, to the committeemen for their faithful service and to the membhe the employed staff for their lavalty and devoted service. With Zaith in God we commit the a ciation to in- other vear of work, trusting His continued guidance and blessing. Respectfully submitted, C. H. BARNES General Secretar Anniversary Address. BE. C. Carter, address, aid In introducing delivered the annlversary President E. M. Wightman national work A. associations started In 1889 India and later spread through China and Japan. Now there are in those countries 171 secretaries, who supported by the international mittee of America and Canada At the outbreak of the war, Mr. Carter took twenty of his assistants and are com- | to who mong the Y. M. . | in | tt | one ! g | send for the front to spread the gospel of Christianity. In recognition of his vices, King George of Great Brit- has presented Mr. Carter with a meda Mr. Carter’s address in follows: Is It Worth While. is often this country, ain gold part “The in question asked by men funds to approached for conduct the Y. M. C. A. China and Japan It is, for the na- of those countries are on our tep, just as the nations of Fu- rope are. They have souls and bodies we have and are children of the ame God. There is no patent on Y. M. C. A. work and it is our duty to aid them and bring them to be pro- fessors of our faith in Christianity. If vou could see the work that is being done in Lahore, India. by Rev. How- i Walter and Wilson Hume, you would not need to ask this question. The people of those countries are be- coming educated and it will not be long before we must have more direct infercourse with them. Christianity ought to be spread among the fol- lowers of Mohammedan. Already the people of those countries see the ben- efits to be derived from Christianity. If the association in this country can secretaries to spread the gos- many of the natives will volun- for the work. In many cases support secretaries and often- business men there contribute much as Americans. Thero is no 'Holier Than Thou' attitude taken in teaching Christianity, but it i= done rather in the spirit of St Paul work in India, ‘is it worth while?" tives do pel, teer they times twice as Men's Work. men of University “Many university this country and England are engaged in the work of translating the Bible into dialects of the of Cambridge the language and countries. Graduates and Oxford and Rev. Hoard Walter of Princeton spend most of their time in the study of Sanskrit. When the at war in Europe broke out, mary the Indian troops were ordered the front and it devolved on us show that Christianity was not a teaching, but also a social ser- 0 we accompanied them. Com- of troops from India are scat- all over, in France, Mesopo- East Africa and the Darda- In France alone, they are ompanied by fifty secretaries. the native business men were to do this work of obtaini eation for the troops, many of 1 from all walks of life volunteer- ed to When we sailed through the Mediterranean in the night, with our steamer lights out, we narrow missed a mine and the next morning wreckage floating on the waters. mine was missed by only fifteen The war is terrible and every- alert at all times. We crossed of to only vies panies tered sawW The feet is The. Dotted Line flashed across country paves the way to bigger business. WESTERN UNION Day Letters and Night Letters open a mew avenue of approach to the man you want to reach. Quicker than mail and more effective. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO. | they | are erected which are | trenches study the | wounds. from England on the Sussex just one week before she was attacked The life of Europe mmersed in the w and everywhere the spirit of self- sacrifice is manifested. All share the same common feeling, that they are fighting. for freedom and demo- cracy. Sad Scenes. “It is indeed pitiful to see wom- en bid good-bye to their husbands and sons as they go to the front per- haps never to return again. Th maintain their composure, until the train pulls out and then oftentimes break down. Only the daily newspapers brings them news of their departed. Now, what the Y. M. C. A. is doing is this. Buildings called huts. than huts in in which use the word. many as 000 men gather there at one time, where we furnish entertainments and recrea- tior There are Bible class lectures, writing rooms and music parlors and they are crowded all the time, witn anxious and weary men, trying to forget the more serious business on hand. They are much larger the sense sometimes as Asquith Assists. ] “There was much doubt in Eng- l1and as to the worth of this work, | Prime Minister Asquith, un- | entered one of Salisbury Plain until | beknown to anyone, these large ‘huts’ on | taken and’ each | thing and saw no less than 3,000 men, were being entertained and offa recreation. There were 2,000 in tendance at the Bible class gather The assoclation selling food cost and when Asquith beci aware of the work which being done he ordered the exches to draw up a check for $1 further the wor In Rouen, there are fourteen which cost from 00 to $3 build and the average ance is from 10,000 to are also placed in the trenches and the same ried on near the front Europe Religion Hun, w Mr good 004 daily attd 20,000, ‘F of is rear work Europe never before, for religion soldiers in Bible before what is perhaps their battle. At present there are places on the French line w ‘huts’ could be placed and fifty s taries are needed to carry on work, My mission here is to of these men and the money to car the work. In all Europe there between four and five million in the hospitals. They average or five hours sleep a night in wards. Their sufferings are ter and the assoclation men per] many tasks for them. Many of is hungry The ing for | are blind, many have their arms| many are dying of It is our aim to assist in every way. Letters are writt their dictation and in some moving pictures are shown to their minds away from the tort the wounds. Work in Prison Camps. Another place where much o work is needed is the prison ci Many of these camps are the * and mental graves' of the men. have nothing to do but kill tim the strain is terrible. The Y. A. buildings are the ‘hearthstong homes’ of the prisoners. A cen| man is taught he is Inte bridge over t it is up to off and which America is the tional enmity and assist in the work. When I app ed an influential woman in B asking for aid, she replied tha am an American, 1 should looK for the a stance. Later when investigated our work, she sei check for $5,000. Needs of Association. “I am in this country at thil to obtain fifty secretaries and $2,000 apiece for their support. more men are needed at the as well as to fill the places of who have left India, China af pan. The work is really worth for after the war, our interest be more in common with Euroj Asila than ever before and it aim of the association to get t hammedans to embrace Chris so the entire world will haw common religious ground. and India are crying for yoi port. Are you going to assist, The meeting closed with b tion led by Rev. Dr. Hill. in ] Quaker or Mother’s —— IONA — CORN » cans 25¢ KELLOGG’S TOASTED CORN i ;We Give Royal Gold Trading ; Special Cut Prices for Week of May 8th o 13th, Inc: — RELIABLE — PEAS 2 cans 25¢ FLAKES 3Pkes2 Stnmp;—Ask for them 4 3 5 BUTTER LOWEF OATS 3 P — LAUNDRY STARC rouND 4 16---Other Cut Prices-- Pufted Rice ....... 13¢c d Sultana Corn . . .can 10c Sultana String Beans ..can 10c 1 1 can Sultana Spice F 1 pkg A&P Ice Cream Jelly Powder .... 1 can A&P Chloride or STAMPS with One Large Can 1b Can of A 80 20 STAMPS With MPS STAMPS With 25 15 1-1b Pac Free Delivery 184-186 With One Large Bottle A&P E. ik age A&P WASHING POWDER Red Kidney Beans Prunes, 40-50’s . .lb Stamps Free With Any of the Following ————— Groceries ——— 1 can A&P Lye 1 pkg Reckitt’s Blue 1 bottle Royal Polish 1 bottle A&P Vinegar 1 jar A&P Jam ..... A&P BAKIM POWDER .... P COCOA, None Better TRACT MAIN STREET.