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��TJie Boston Voting Men's Christian Association.

��249

��THE BOSTON YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

��By Russell Sturgis, Jr.

��In the year of our Lord 1844, a young clerk, named George Williams, consulted with a few others and determined that something should be done to save the young men, who came by thousands to London, from the terrible temptations and snares to which they were exposed. The old times had passed when the young man came to the city recommended to some friend who would feel a personal interest in him, either take him into his own house or find some good home for him ; who felt responsible for him and bound to know where he went and with whom he associated ; who often had him at his own board, if not regularly there, and who expected to see him in his family pew on Sunday.

Perhaps this state of things had, from necessity, ceased to be ; perhaps the introduction of machinery and the employment of large numbers of young men in the cities made this personal relation no longer possible. Whether possible or no, the fact remains that this close relation between employer and employed ceased. There are, even now, some noble exceptions to this, as in the case of Mr. Williams himself, and the firm of Samuel Morlay and Company.

The young man to-day comes fresh from the pure air and clear lavish sun- shine of his country home, where

���OLD BUILDING.

��summer's flower-decked green is a con- tinuous feast, and winter's glories a de- light no less. Whether upon the snow in sleigh, or hillside coasting, or the swift skate on the frozen river, or at evening's cozy fireside before the blazing logs, all re- joice in simple pleasures, and prayer closes the day. Dear country home, where every sound is ministry ; the morning cock and cackling hen, the birds' hopeful morning song, the twittering swallow, noon's rest and healthy appetite, the lowing cattle, the birds' thankful evening note, the village bell — old curfew's echo, the pattering on the pane, the wind in the treetops, the watchdog's distant bark for lullaby, and quiet restful sleep ; his greatest sports — those of the evening village-green — the apple bee, the husking, and the weekly singing- school.

He stands at evening gazing at the splendors of the blacksmith's glowing forge, and in the morning says " good- by" to all, and starts upon his journey to the city.

Arrived, and having found employ- ment, he works from a fixed hour in the morning till evening, then he goes home — where? 'T is all the home he has — all he can afford : a room, or perhaps a part of a room, on the upper floor of a tall house, in a

��Note. — The illustrations are furni.shed by the architects of the new building, Messrs. Sturgis and Brigham.

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