Y.M.C.A.

Young Men's Christian Association, The, an organization for the promotion of the general welfare of men and boys - physical, moral, intellectual - is more popularly known as the Y.M.C.A., or the "Y." Race, creed or color are no bars to membership in the organization, though voting and office holding privileges are enjoyed only by members of an evangelical church.

At the outset, the Y.M.C.A. was chiefly religious in aim. In 1844 a Londoner named George Williams organized a small number of his fellow workers for religious worship and Bible study. Williams was a dry goods clerk, and his influence among his fellow clerks was so great that his organization grew rapidly, soon embracing men from many walks of life. By 1848 the society had a library and rest rooms in London, and in 1851 allied associations were established in Boston, Montreal and New York.

Before the third quarter of the century the Y.M.C.A. had branches in almost every large American, Canadian and English city and in 1866 the International Committee of the association was established in New York City. Handsome, costly buildings containing libraries, gymnasia, reading rooms, social rooms, etc. were built in many cities; and large hotels, modern in all details and giving service at nominal rates, were established. At Springfield, Mass., and Chicago, Ill., the association now has colleges, and it maintains summer schools at several places in the United States. In Canada and England the growth has been similar to that in the United States, except that those countries have not as many special branches - for Indians, railroad employees, etc.- as has the latter country. Tokyo, Calcutta, Shanghai, Manila and other large foreign cities have Y.M.C.A.'s.

THE "Y" IN THE WORLD WAR. Never before in its history did the Y.M.C.A. conduct such varied and valuable activities as during the World War. In England, Y.M.C.A. canteens were established in every camp, and the association arrived in Flanders with the army, going, in many cases, into the front line trenches with the fighting men. The association furnished food, music, recreation and good cheer in general to the men on the line and on leave. After the United States entered the conflict the American organization was stimulated to great activity. The Y.M.C.A. served in hospitals, prison camps, convalescent camps in Russia, France, the Near East - everywhere that service was needed. The service it rendered in keeping the soldier in contact with those at home, even if it were the only service, would be worthy of high praise. During America's part in the war the association raised and spent $300,000 for the benefit of United States troops.

In 1910 there were 2,017 associations in the United States and Canada. These had 496,591 members, and held property and funds to the value of $60,377,122. In 1920 Canada and the United States had 2,194 associations with 868,892 members and property and funds amounting to $128,019,000.

Rev 2000-02-18