In the sketch of the Boston Association, which appeared in the April
number of this Magazine, mention was made of the work of Mr. L.P.
Rowland, corresponding member of Massachusetts of the international
committee, in establishing kindred associations throughout the State,
This article is to give a brief history of the spread and work of these
associations, and I am largely indebted to Mr. Sayford, late state
secretary, for the data. It was natural that as soon as it was known
that an organization had been formed in Boston to do distinctive work
for young men, that in other places where the need was realized the
desire for a like work should spring up; but, in the absence of
organized effort to promote this, very little was done, and in 1856,
five years after the parent association was formed, there were only six
in all, that is, in Boston, Charlestown, Worcester, Lowell, Springfield,
and Haverhill.
In December, 1866, the Boston Association called a convention, when
twelve hundred delegates met and sat for two days at the Tremont Temple.
General Christian work was discussed, but the distinctive work for young
men was earnestly advocated.
When Mr. Rowland undertook the work, as an officer of the international
committee, it spread rapidly, and in 1868 there were one hundred and
two, and in 1869, one hundred and nine, associations in Massachusetts.
This number was, later, somewhat further increased.
Up to 1867 there had been no conference of the state associations, but
at the international convention, at Montreal, in that year, it was
strongly urged upon the corresponding members of the various States and
provinces that they should call state conventions, and thus the first
Massachusetts convention of Young Men's Christian Associations was held
at Springfield, October 10 and 11. The Honorable Whiting Griswold, of
Greenfield, was president, and among the prominent men present were
Henry F. Durant and ex-Vice-President Wilson. In 1868, the convention
met at Worcester; in 1869, at Lowell. At this time there were fifty
associations reporting reading-rooms, and thirty were holding _open-air
meetings_, which means, that, since there are many persons who never
enter a building to hear the gospel, it should be taken to them. Since
these services are almost peculiarly a characteristic of association
work, let me describe them. One or two men, clergymen or laymen, are
appointed to take charge of the meeting, while from six to ten men go
with them to lead the singing. Having reached the common or public
square where men and women are lounging about, the group start a
familiar hymn and sing, perhaps, two or three, by which time many have
drawn near and most are listening; then mounting a bench or packing-box,
the leader says he proposes to pray to the God of whom they have been
singing, and asks them to join with him; then with uncovered head he
speaks to God and asks him to bless the words that shall be spoken.
Another hymn, and then some Bible scene or striking incident is read and
commented upon, and when interest is fairly roused the gospel is
_preached in its simplicity_ and a _direct appeal_ made to the people.
There is a wonderful fascination in this service--a naturalness in all
the surroundings, so like the circumstances of our Lord's discourses,
that makes God's nearness felt, and inspires great faith for results.
Great have been these results--how great we shall know by-and-by. Many a
soul has thus been born by the sea, in the grove, on the village green,
at the place where streets meet in the busy city. How can we reach the
masses? is the earnest question of the church. _Go to them!_ To the
association is due the fact that thousands of laymen are to-day
proclaiming the gospel in all parts of the world, successful through
their simple study of the Word and the encouragement and training which
they have received in this school.
The fourth convention was held in Chelsea, in 1870, on which occasion
the Honorable Cephas Brainard, chairman of the international executive
committee, said: "To promote the permanency of associations, our labor
must be chiefly for young men; increasing as rapidly as possible
edifices of our own; and cultivating frequent fraternal intercourse with
the eight hundred associations in the land." Up to 1881 no agents had
been appointed by the state convention to superintend its work. Mr.
Rowland was taking time, given him for rest, to visit associations and
towns needing them.
At the international convention, in 1868, at Detroit, two Massachusetts
men met, who were to be largely instrumental in carrying on the work in
the State so dear to them; and in 1871, in far-off Illinois, these two
men--K.A. Burnell, and he who has almost without a break served on the
Massachusetts committee to this day--met again, prayed for
Massachusetts, consulted together, and the result was that at the
convention of 1871, at Northampton, a state executive committee was
appointed.
At this time calls from many parts of the State were coming to the
association workers from pastors of churches for lay help and they felt
that these calls must be met. Mr. Burnell was engaged to conduct the
work, and with the help of the committee individually, meetings of two
and three days were held in from forty to sixty towns each year for
three years. This work was continued by paid secretaries, still largely
aided by the committee, till 1879.
During this time but little was done to strengthen existing
associations, and nothing in establishing new ones, therefore, while the
influence of the convention of associations was greatly felt throughout
the State, the associations themselves suffered. Very many were doing
nothing, and many had ceased to exist.
We should not dare to say that the associations did wrong in thus giving
themselves to the evangelistic work, while the calls for it were greater
than the committee could meet. This work engrossed them till the calls
began to slacken, and then they awoke to the fact that they were
neglecting their true work, a special instrumentality in which they
believed and for which they existed--that is, "A work for young men by
young men through physical, social, mental, and spiritual appliances."
This led to a series of resolutions at the Lowell convention, in 1879,
directing the committee to confine their efforts to the strengthening
and organizing of associations, and to appoint a secretary to give his
whole time to the work.
Mr. Sayford was called from New York, appointed general secretary, and
began to work in January, 1880.
At this time there were thirty-five associations in the State, only four
of which had general secretaries, paid men who gave all their time to
the work.
In October, the number of secretaries had more than doubled, nine being
at work. The total membership at this time was, in round numbers, six
thousand, with property amounting to about two hundred and ten thousand
dollars.
The thirty-three associations which reported at this time at the Lynn
convention represented somewhat more than five hundred active working
men, and they conducted one hundred and ten religious meetings a week.
In 1881, the only addition of note was the beginning of the railway work
in the State, when a general secretary was employed, and rooms opened at
Springfield by the Boston and Albany Railroad Company. This important
work, carried on most vigorously at various railway centres in other
States, had for some time been pressed upon the state committee, but
they had been unable to obtain any footing till now. At the convention
of this year, at Spencer, the advantage of association work in colleges
was brought out in an able paper by our present state secretary, then a
representative of Williams College.
At this convention the committee on executive committee's report said:
"It is evident from the reports of executive committee and state
secretary, that, while the process of the last two years has decreased
the number of the associations in the State, it has greatly increased
their efficiency. Some associations were found to have been long since
privately buried, though the name was allowed to remain upon the door.
These have been removed. Others had been left to die uncared for in the
field. These have been decently buried. Some were found so sick as to be
past hope, and their last days were made as comfortable as possible
under the circumstances. Others were found to be more or less seriously
ill, and have been skilfully treated. The result is that at least
twenty-four associations are well, and could do much more work if they
chose; while ten, in robust condition, and under the management and
inspiration of skilled general secretaries, are doing grand work for
young men in their several localities."
The reduction here spoken of is from one hundred and nine associations
in 1869 to thirty-four in 1881; yet the work was being better done by
the smaller number, and it is thus accounted for: Few dreamed to what
this work would grow, therefore their aim was extremely vague, and the
methods were inadequate. Seeing the need,--deeply interested in the
salvation of young men,--the _idea_ of the association took everywhere.
They sprang up all over the State. Organization followed organization in
rapid succession, and then they waited to be told what to do, or flung
themselves into the first seeming opening with no thought whether it was
the work for which they were formed; and we remember of hearing of one
Young Men's Christian Association whose whole energies were concentrated
upon a mission Sunday-school in a deserted district,--a good work, but
not a proper Young Men's Christian Association's work, when it
represented all that was being done.
Two things, however, were accomplished, even in those early days, for
which we must always be very grateful, and in themselves are a
sufficient _raison d'etre. Young men were trained_ to work, and the
reflex influence upon their minds was very great, and the real unity of
the church of Christ was manifested as never before. The Young Men's
Christian Association in town and village formed the natural
rallying-point for all united work. A third great blessing should be
mentioned. Not only has the unity of Christ's church been manifested,
but also its distinctive standing upon the great Bible doctrines of the
cross, which vitally separate it from all other religious bodies.
Gradually the greatness of this work for young men has been appreciated,
as the strong opposing forces have been met. The association is intended
to influence those who are in the energy and full flush of young
manhood, when the desires are strong, most responsive, and least
guarded. The social instinct then is very strong. It is natural, and
must be met in some form. Sinful allurements of every kind invite the
young man, hurtful companionship welcomes him, the ordinary appliances
of the church have no attraction for him. The association must see to it
that his social craving is met by that which is interesting enough to
attract him, and yet is safe. To counteract baleful attractions, others
which call forth strong sympathy, and appliances which _cost_, in every
sense of the word, must be furnished.
This means pleasant rooms, books, papers, good companionship, classes,
lectures, concerts, the hall, and the gymnasium; but more important than
all, a trained man who shall give his whole time and heart to the work,
and be amply remunerated.
Since these things are more or less necessary to successful effort for
young men, it will readily be seen why so many associations have ceased
to exist.
The committee have come to the conclusion that every town in the State
where rooms can be kept open in charge of a general secretary should
have a Young Men's Christian Association, and where these cannot be
furnished we are not anxious to establish it.
At the convention of 1882, in Charlestown, it became apparent that, to
meet the calls for evangelistic work and push the distinctive
association work, two men were required. Two, therefore, were appointed:
one to give his time largely to evangelistic work, the other wholly to
that of the association. In the following year, 1883, the evangelistic
secretary decided to do the same work independently of the committee,
and the whole energy of the state secretary has been devoted to the
organization of association work.
We may safely say that, although numerically small, never before has
this work been so efficiently organized as now, and never has there been
so much done as now for young men. At the convention of 1881, a
constitution was adopted which binds the different state associations in
organic union. These hold an annual convention of three days, at which
time one half of the executive committee is chosen, thus making it a
perpetual body. This committee represents every section of the State,
and meets monthly for consultation; while the individual members are
means of communication between headquarters in Boston and other
respective sections. There is a further subdivision into three
districts, each of which holds a quarterly conference of one day, under
the management of the district committee.
The associations now number 35.
Membership, about 11,300.
Employing general secretaries, 19.
Having buildings, 7.
Value of buildings, say, $490,000.
Value of building funds and lots, $50,000.
Having rooms, 23.
Having gymnasiums, 8.
Annual expenses, about $65,000.
This is only a beginning. This work for young men is far too important
to remain within such limits. Every town in the Commonwealth of seven
thousand inhabitants should have a fully equipped association. Some
smaller towns already have.
My excuse for this sketch is: first, the importance of the subject;
second, the ignorance concerning it of a large portion of the Christian
community; third, that the blessings of the work and its support may be
shared by far greater numbers; and, lastly, that the courtesy of the
editors of The Bay State Monthly afforded altogether too good an
opportunity for making this work known, to be lost.
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