Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1894 — Y. M. C. A. GOLDEN JUBILEE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Y. M. C. A. GOLDEN JUBILEE.

A Great Organlßatloa’* Fiftieth Birthday Appropriately Celebrated. The most important international assemblage lately held in either hemisphere was that of the Young Men’s Christian Association, which has just

closed in London. This coming together celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the par:nt organization and the gold.en iubilee was ushjered in not only with appropriate ceremonies but by the deliberation of a representative body c?mp<Leed of dele-

gates from the whole world. The United States sent one of the strongest delegations, as a matter of course, but England also was impressively represented, while all the countries of Europe, excepting Turkey, had eminent men to speak for them. Over 1,000 delegates, besides nearly 4,000 visitors, participated. The event had been anticipated in a series of advance preparations for the past two years. The preliminary call had been issued since last year by the International Committee now located at Geneva, Switzerland. It is three years since the first steps were taken at Amsterdam, Holland, for the celebration by the appointment of Gustave Tophel, Chairman: Edward "Barde, Vice Chairman: Jean Billon, Secretary; Frederick Bonna, Treasurer: and twen-ty-two other gentlemen, representing every civi ied nation. Great as was the representation of the United States, it was but typical of every land. The American delegation of over one

hundred, headed by John Wanamaker, Rev. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler, General Secretary Richard S. Moss of the National Committee, Secretary R. R. MeBurney of New York, Rev. George A. Hall, New York’s State Secretary; Luther D. Wishard, Secretary National Committee. G. N. Bierce and E. L. Shuey, representing Ohio. Geo. Taylor from California, Rev. Dr. A. H. Scott of Perth, Ont., and others as eminent in the work, went to bespeak this country's aims in the conference. The place of meeting was Exeter Hall, one of London’s most imposing public edifices. The assemblage was in session lor over a week, and its deliberations included measures for the beginning of a crusade that is designed to spread the movement in every country. And not least among its historical features was the presence, as an honored delegate, of the man who founded, fifty years ago. the first Youog Men's Christian Association, George Williams. He is now the wealthy head of the house in which he clerked at the time when he began his organizing propaganda in a little ro im in London with a few of his fellow clerks. On the opening day of the conference. the Committee on Credentials went into session, and the certificates in all languages were duly approved. The following evening at 7 o’clock there was a reception of delegates at Exeter Hall proper. which was decorated with the-emblems of all nationalities for the occasion. The official welcome came from 8 to 9 o clock in the evening, when the venerable George Williams received the tributes and courtesies of all the visitors.

GEORGE WILLIAMS

WHERE THE Y. M. C. A WAS ORGANIZED.