Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 20.djvu/875

* Y. M. C. A. 739 Y. M. C. A. classes, evangelistic and devotional meetings, work in beliall ot ijersouul purity, and a specially emphasized personal work; (e) educational — evening classes^ literary societies, and lectures; (d) physical — gymnasium and athletic field, with instructors qualified to make ])hysical examina- tions and ])rescril)e and direct safe and beneficial use of these facilities; (e) social — a pleasant resort with companionable su]iervision, nnisic, recreative games, social gatherings, and enter- tainments; (f) information and relief — i-mploy- nient bureau, boarding-house register, savings fund, medical clul>, visitation of the sick; (g) a work ahmg all these lines for boys. The Genekai. Work. The North American conventions are biennial. Each c(mvention elects one-third of the 45 members of its Executive or 'International Connnittee,' who reside in diflferent parts of the continent. It is incor])orated, and its headquarters and working quorum have been located in New York since ISllU. Its permanent funds are held by a board of 15 trustees. Its employed force on the home field, which has grown steadily from one agent in ISllS, at present consists of 44 secretaries. It has also 30 secre- taries in foreign mission lands. State and pro- vincial organizations exercise a closer and more immediate supervision, each over its ovni field. Twenty-six State and provincial conventions were held in 1902, attended by 3989 representatives from 935 associations. A well-developed State is divided into districts, and more recently some counties have been similarly organized and have employed county secretaries. Physical Work, llie first well-equipped gym- nasium was opened in New York in 1809, and the first physical director was employed in it. There are now 353 physical dii-ectors and 130,000 men and boys using the various means of physical training. For the position of physical director men are sought having a good general education and thorough technical training, and actuated by high Christian purpose. Many of them conduct Bible classes of physical department men. Some associations have well-equipped athletic grounds and many more have summer camps for both boys and young men. The Y'oung Men's Christian Association Ath- letic League is the medium for cooperation be- tween associations that desire it in the holding of games, the establishment of atlilctic records, and in lines of scientific work. One hundred as- sociations, mainly in the larger cities, belong to it, and many others use its registration and sanc- tion features. Educational Work. The associations from the first had educational features. Systematic and unified development dates from the call of an international educational secretary in 1892. The department now includes the worlv of the reading room, library, educational lectures and practical talks, educational clubs, and classes in commer- cial, political, industrial, science, and language subjects. Courses in these subjects are sug- gested by the International Committee, on which annual examinations are held and certificates granted, which are recognized by over 100 col- leges. ' The Religious Work. Frequent references show the dominating religious purpose of all the work. The committee has promoted this through the influence and efforts of all its agents ; through ])rintcd suggestions, especially of r)ible study courses; and, since 1899, through the employ- ment of several secretaries for special religiou.s work. There is a worldwide observance of a week of prayer in November. Securing and Training Employed Officbes. Executive officers were employed by the Boston and New Y'ork associations as early as 1853. The demand for competent men began to be pressed upon th(^ International Connnittee by the associa- tions about 1870, and ever since it has given nuicli attention to finding and training them and to sup])lying associations needing men with in- formation about candidates. In 1871 was held the first of a series of annual secretarial con- ferences. This has been followed by the associa- tion training schools, which were organize<l as independent institutions at Springfield, Mass., in 188.5, and at Chicago in 1890. Their courses of study include the history, organization, and methods of the entire work. Christian history, ph}"siology, athletics, psychology, sociidogy, the stud}' and teacliiug of the English Bible, and opportunity for participation in practical as- sociation work. The corporation controlling the Chicago school also conducts an extensive sum- mer training conference on its grounds at Lake Geneva, Wis. Boys' Work. The associations early made varied efl'orts, largely outside their own rooms, to benefit boys. The first separate boys' depart- ment was organized at Salem. IMass., in 1809. The New York State committee employed the first boys' work supervisory secretary in 1897, and the International Committee secured a simi- lar oificer in 1900. Commonly each class of boys — school boys, working boys, and street boys — can receive the hiost benefit by itself, and the largest possibilities are in the order just given. Accommodation is provided by some associations for a membership of a thousand boys, and ten buildings for boj's onl.v are in use. Work Among Eailroad ]ex. The first as- sociation organization for definite work of this kind originated at Cleveland. Ohio, in 1872, al- though the International Committee had made evangelistic efforts among the men engaged in building the I'nion Pacific Railroad, beginning in 18C8. Delegations from Cleveland started eighteen other associations during the next five years. In 1877 the International Committee se- cured its first railroad secretary, and now has seven, stationed in different sections of the con- tinent. In 1902 the 194 organizations expended $617,485. Of this a'mount the employees and others paid more than half, chiefly in member- ship fees. The remainder, together with large sums for buildings and equipment, was con- tributed voluntarily by the railroad corporations. Such contributions come from companies con- trolling over three-quarters of the railroad mile- age of the United States and Canada. The early railroad branches opened reading rooms and held religious meetings. Now every form of work done by city associations is carried on^ while dormitories and restaurants, first made prominent in the railroad work, have spread from it to the city work. Ample bathing facili- ties also characterize the railroad equipment. Emergency hospitals are sometimes maintained and many visits made to the sick and injured, ilembersjiip tickets are reciprocal. The Inter-