I
UNIVERSITY OF
ILLINOIS LIBRARY
AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN
ILL. HIST. SURVEY
h
/4'^
Historical Sketch of The Young
Men's Christian Associa-
tion of Chicago
ASSOCIATION BUILDING
HOME OF THE CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
Historical Sketch of The Young
Men's Christian Associa-
tion of Chicago
PREPARED BY
EDWIN BURRITT SMITH
JOHN COWLES GRANT
HORACE MANN STARKEY
1858-1898
CHICAGO
PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION
1898
2 ^r>^ 5 5-^
*'From whatever side we approach the magnificent edifice the
Toung Men^ s Christian Association has been rearing, we shall find
it the most stately temple to the power and prowess of unsectarian
Christianity erected in modern times.'*'' — harper's weekly.
•<// would be very congenial to me to dwell upon the wide and
beneficent influence of the Chicago association throughout the whole
brotherhood.*'' — richard c. morse.
PREFATORY NOTE.
The undersigned, a committee appointed by the
board of managers to prepare and publish this "His-
torical Sketch of The Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion of Chicago," desire to acknowledge valuable
assistance from Cyrus H. McCormick, L. Wilbur
Messer, I. E. Brown, Richard C. Morse, Robert Wei-
densall, A. T. Hemingway, Dr. J. H. Hollister, Major
D. W. Whittle, F. G. Ensign and Walter T. Hart.
Most of these have furnished to the committee valu-
able written statements which have been, so far as
practicable, embodied in the text. We have sought
to give a mere outline sketch of the story of the asso-
ciation. This has made it necessary to omit many in-
teresting and valuable details. We have assumed
that the members and friends of the association desire
a general statement of what it has been and is, rather
than reminiscences of the many prominent men who
have engaged in its service. Such personal mention as
appears is but incidental. While many faithful men
to whom the association has given opportunities for
Christian service find no mention here, it is believed
that most of those who have been especially active in
its work are at least incidentally referred to in these
5
Prefatory Note.
pages. This sketch has been prepared within a few
weeks in connection with other pressing duties. We
cannot hope that it will be found free from error, or
that all will regard it an adequate recital of the story
of the Chicago association.
Edwin Burritt Smith,
John Cowles Grant,
Horace Mann Starkey,
Committee of Board of Managers.
Chicago, May 7, 1898.
CONTENTS.
PAGES.
Early Days, - - - - - . - - "
First Period (1858-1888), ----- 20
Second Period (1888-1898), - - - - - 37
Buildings, ------- 47
World-Wide Relations, - - - - - 65
The Outlook, ------ 73
Appendix, - - - - - - - 81
Index, --------85
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Association Building, .... (Frontispiece.)
The Presidents, - - - - - - -14
Early Officials, ...... 16
First Farwell Hall, - - - - - - 24
Third Farwell Hall, .----- 26
James L. Houghteling, - - - - - - 28
Third Farwell Hall Interior, ----- 32
The Secretaries, - - - - - - "34
John V. Farwell, Jr., ------ 38
Class Rooms, - - - - - - -40
Parlors and Class Room, . . . - - 42
Gymnasium and Natatorium, - - - - - 44
Henry M. Hubbard, ------ 46
West Side Department Building, - - - - 48
Ravenswood Department Building, - - - 50
Englewood Department Building, - - - - 52
Hyde Park Department Building, - - - - 54
Entrance and Restaurant, Association Building, - - 56
Garfield Boulevard Railroad Building, - - - 58
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Building, - - 58
Dearborn Station Railroad Building, - - - 60
Grand Trunk Railroad Building, - - - - 62
Supervisory and Educational Officials, - - - 66
The Present Advisory Managers, - - - - 68
The Principal Paid Officers, ----- 70
The Present Trustees, - - - - - - 72
The Present Managers, ... - - 74
Cyrus H. McCormick, - - - - - - 76
L. Wilbur Messer, ------ 78
EARLY DAYS.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago
was organized in the month ot March, 1858. Within
the preceding year a great financial panic had swept
over the country. While this was at its height, the
first Fulton-street (New York) prayer-meeting was held,
from which dated a general revival of religion. Out
of this great revival came the Chicago association.
President Cyrus Bentley in his inaugural address,
June 21, 1858, gave expression to the deep religious
feeling of the time :
"During the past few months, God has, in his infi-
nite mercy, favored our land with a most glorious
work of grace From all classes, ages,
and conditions of society, have been gathered precious
trophies of His victorious power. Especially from the
young men of our land have been raised up, as the
fruits of this work of the spirit, a great army. . . .
Moved by the reports that are borne to us of the
benign results achieved by the Young Men's Christian
Associations of other cities, we have spontaneously
come up hither from the various evangelical churches
of the city, without any reference to sect or denomi-
national preferences, and organized this association,
for the avowed purpose, under God, of rescuing and
saving these vast numbers of young men in our city
from the temporal and eternal ruin to which they are
exposed On the banner we this night unfurl to the
II
12 Early Days.
breeze of heaven, is emblazoned this grand purpose of
our combined energies, under the Almighty, 'The
Salvation of Young Men.' "
The organization of the association here, as else-
where, marked the surrender of the prolonged effort
to secure a united church through doctrinal discussion,
and the beginning of the great movement to reach an
essential unity by co-operation in practical Chris-
tian work. The association created no new arena for
discussion. It assumed, without controversy, the fun-
damental truths of evangelical Christianity and fur-
nished an opportunity for a broad co-operation in
Christian service.
The establishment of the Chicago association came
early in the great movement of which it has since
been a conspicuous part. It was on June 6, 1844,
that twelve young men met in an upper room of a
mercantile house in London, at the call of George
Williams, to consider the advisability of forming a
"Society for improving the spiritual condition of young
men engaged in the drapery and other trades." Two
weeks later they adopted a constitution in which the
new society was called, "The Young Men's Christian
Association," and its objects defined to be "the im-
provement of the spiritual condition of young men
engaged in the drapery and other trades, by the intro-
duction of religious services among them." A year
later the object was stated to be "to improve the spir-
itual and mental condition of young men in houses of
business." By 1846 the object had become, "the
spiritual and mental improvement of young men, by
any means in accordance with the Scriptures."
The vast industrial revolution of our time had, by
the middle of the century, made the modern city a
Early Days. 13
magnet of irresistible power. Already the endless
migration from the country to the city, which is trans-
forming a rural to an urban population, had com-
menced. As Mr. Doggett,* in his history of the
association, has pointed out, the industrial city was
becoming the home of the young men of the protes-
tant world. These conditions, with their temptations
to young men living away from home in cities, called
for the association. It is a product of the modern
city. That a practical organization, "to extend the
kingdom of Christ among young men," should rapidly
extend itself to all modern cities, was inevitable. The
need which it met was neither local nor transient, but
general and permanent. By 185 1 associations had
been formed at eight points in London and in sixteen
other cities in the united kingdom. In that year
associations were founded in Montreal and Boston.
These were followed within the next few years by
similar associations in Toronto, Worcester, Springfield,
Buffalo, New York, Washington, New London, Detroit,
Concord, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago, Peoria,
Louisville, San Francisco, and other cities. The first
period in the development of the association on this
continent extends from the organization of the Mon-
treal and Boston associations in 185 1 to the loca-
tion of the international committee in New York in
1866.
"This period of fifteen years, in spite of the move-
ment towards unity and the establishment of a national
alliance, in contrast with later development must be
called a period of local effort. There was no general
♦History of the Young Men's Christian Association. Doggett,
P- 23.
14 Early Days.
consciousness of a great national or world-wide move-
ment."*
Thus it appears that the formation of the Chicago
association came early in the general movement, and
before the development of the efficient advisory super-
vision which has since unified the associations every-
where and established a world-wide fellowship among
Christian young men. It was organized at the close
of the great revival of 1857, to meet a pressing local
need of a new city whose growth was mainly due to
the coming of young men from without. As we have
seen, its founders were moved to adopt the association
form of organization by the reports that were borne
in upon them "of the benign results achieved by
the Young Men's Christian Associations of other
cities."
The records clearly testify that the founders of the
Chicago association realized something of the import-
ance of their undertaking. The steps resulting in
organization were taken with great deliberation and
with a due sense of responsibility."!-
♦History of the Young Men's Christian Association. Doggett,
p. 106.
Y' Prefatory Statement: — On the 22d of March, 1858, pursuant
to a call published by a society of young men, known as 'The
Chicago Young Men's Society for Religious Improvement,'
in the Chicago daily papers, a large number of young men
favorable to the organization of the Young Men's Christian
Association in this city, met at the time and place mentioned in
•^^he notice. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Edward
Couper, and on motion, Mr. John E. Rhees was appointed tem-
porary chairman, and Mr. William Aitchinson, Jr., secretary.
"The meeting was formally opened by the reading of the
Scriptures, singing, and prayer; after which, the following reso-
lution was unanimously adopted:
" ^Resolved, That we regard it expedient to organize a Young
Men's Christian Association in this city, on a similar basis with
PRESIDENTS
S. Wells N. S. Bouton D. L. Moody j. H. Hollister B. F. Jacobs
HN V. Farwell Cyrus Bentley Henry M. Hubbard Henry W. Fuller John V Farwell Ir
M.Henderson James L.HouGHTELiNG T.W.Harvey E G Keith
Early Days. 15
Dr. J. H. HoUister, who soon actively engaged in
the work, writes of the "noon prayer- meeting" as a
spontaneous expression of the great religious awaken-
ing of 1857, and adds: "This paved the way and
made the organization of the Young Men's Christian
Association possible. It seemed to some of the pas-
tors as a possible innovation upon established church
and denominational methods. But the young men
of the churches had clasped hands in Christian and
fraternal fellowship, and it was idle to oppose their
methods so reasonable was their way It
was a sight more novel then than it would be now, to
see such men as Doctor Humphrey, of the First Presby-
terian church. Doctor Evarts, of the First Baptist
church, Bishop Cheney (then a young man), and other
pastors with them, meeting upon a common platform
Young Men's Christian Associations now existing in the United
States and British Provinces.'
"A committee of seven persons, one from each evangelical
denomination represented, was appointed to mature a plan of
organization, and report at an adjourned meeting. The meeting
then adjourned to meet at the same place on the evening of the
29th of March.
"On the 29th of March a meeting was held pursuant to adjourn-
ment. After the opening devotional services, the committee
appointed at the last meeting reported through their chairman,
Mr. John A. Nichols, a draft of a preamble and constitution.
"The preamble was unanimously adopted and the constitution
taken up for discussion and adoption, article by article. The
debate upon the constitution continued through this meeting, and
meetings held on the ist, 6th, 12th, 15th, and 19th of April, on
which last occasion, the constitution subjoined hereto was adopted.
"At a subsequent meeting, held April 26, the constitution, as
adopted, was read and signed by the young men present.
"The officers of the association were elected May 17th, and
entered upon the discharge of their duties at the first annual
meeting, June 21st, suitable and convenient rooms having mean-
time been prepared at 205 Randolph street." — First Report of the
Chicago Association.
1 6 Early Days.
to commend this new work and give to the young
association expressions of their approval and their
prayers for its success."
The new association, in its first constitution, an-
nounced its object to be "the improvement of the
spiritual, intellectual, and social condition of young
men." This, in its second constitution, became, "the
spiritual, intellectual, and social improvement of all
within its reach, irrespective of age, sex, or condition,
but especially of young men." Finally, in its third
constitution, it is stated that "The object of this
association shall be the improvement of the spiritual,
mental, social, and physical condition of young
men."
Among the first officers and members of the associ-
ation appear the well-known names of Cyrus Bentley,
D. L. Moody, W. C. Grant, B. F. Jacobs, A. L. Coe,
John V. Farwell, L, L. Bond, I. N. Isham, P. L.
Underwood, William H. Rand, L. Z. Leiter, H. J.
Willing, Orrington Lunt, and N. S. Bouton,
The association, upon its organization, opened rooms
at No. 205 Randolph street. Here was established
"a common place of resort, to which to invite the idle
and thoughtless young men of the city, where they
may pass their time pleasantly and profitably in read-
ing and in intercourse with Christian young men, and
thus be brought under religious influences."* Indeed,
the new organization very closely imitated the parent
association by inviting young men "to a well selected
library, to classes for mental culture under Christian
teachers, and to rooms adapted to their use, where,
withdrawn from the temptations of ungodly society,
♦Inaugural address by President Cyrus Bentley, June 21, 1858.
L. Z. Leiter
S. M. Moore
F. G. Ensign
Henry J. Willing
EARLV OFFICIALS
H. D. Penfield
JLyman J. Gage
E. W. Blatchford
William Blair
Orrington Lunt
William H. Rand
H. E. Sargent
T. M. Avery
Early Days. 17
they might spend their evenings in suitable com-
panionship, or in pursuit of useful information."*
Those responsible for the association early became
convinced of the permanent character of the work
upon which they had entered. The General Assembly
of Illinois, on the birthday of Washington, 1861, by
special charter provided that "Cyrus Bentley, J. P.
Babcock, William Blair, E. S. Wadsworth, Tuthill King,
Peter Page, Orrington Lunt, J. V. Farwell, Hugh T.
Dickey, Henry W. Hinsdale, W. W. Boyington, T. M.
Eddy, Robert Boyd, and their associates, are hereby
created a body corporate, under the name of the
'Young Men's Christian Association,' and by that
name shall be recognized . . . . , for the term,
of one thousand years." This charter was amended
by special act of February 21, 1867. By the charter,
as amended, the association is authorized to acquire
and hold real estate and personal property for its cor-
porate purposes, exempt from taxation. The amenda-
tory act constituted T. M. Avery, E. W. Blatchford,
J. V. Farwell, William L. Lee, H. E. Sargent, A. R.
Scranton, E. B. McCagg, Cyrus H. McCormick, H.
A. Hurlbut, George Armour, E. D. L. Sweet, B. F.
Jacobs, and their successors, the board of trustees of
the Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago.
The first constitution of the association provided for
active, associate, life, and honorary members. The
membership on June 21, 1858, when what was termed
"the first annual meeting," was held, was as follows:
Active, one hundred and fifty-three; associate, four-
teen; life, thirteen. Here, as generally elsewhere,
"the evangelical test" was applied to the active or
*Shipton's history, p. 72.
1 8 Early Days.
voting membership. The first and second constitu-
tions provided that "Any male member of good
standing in any evangelical church, which holds the
doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone, may
become an active member." This was at first limited,
however, to persons under forty years of age. The
third constitution provides that "Any man over six-
teen (i6) years of age, who is a member in good
standing of an evangelical church, may become an
active member." The first constitution provided that
"Any man of good moral character may become an
associate member." The second constitution provided
that "Any man may become an associate member."
The third constitution provides that "Any man over
sixteen (i6) years of age, who is of good moral char-
acter, may become an associate member." The sec-
ond constitution added an auxiliary membership, under
which term "any woman" might become a member
and entitled to all the privileges of associate members.
The third constitution dropped the life and auxiliary
memberships.
It thus appears that the Chicago association was
organized on broad and definite lines. The years that
have since passed have witnessed changes, experi-
ments, growth. Yet we can now clearly see a more
than human wisdom in the work of its early days.
The association still breathes the freshness of its first
beginnings. While its early definite purpose, the sal-
vation of young men, was for a time obscured by
efforts for the general good, it was never lost. Through
experiences of fire and tumult, in the midst of a mar-
velous material development incident to the city's
growth in population from one hundred thousand to a
million and a half within a space of forty years, the
Early Days. ig
association has held aloft a spiritual ideal of trans-
cendant value. We have seen that on the banner
unfurled by the first president, was emblazoned its
purpose, "The salvation of young men." This ban-
ner, during these forty years, has never been furled,
nor its announcement of purpose changed. Its words
are clearer and more inclusive now than when pro-
claimed by Cyrus Bentley in those early days.
THE FIRST PERIOD. (1858-1888.)
The history of The Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion of Chicago, may be readily separated into two
periods. The first of these includes the work from
1858 to the radical change to the metropolitan plan in
1888. A glance at the population of Chicago, at differ-
ent periods,* will show the rapid changes in the needs
of the city as it grew from a village to a metropolis.
Means which were fully adequate in the early days
became antiquated and insufficient as time advanced
and population increased. Every form of human
activity in a place where changes were so rapid as in
Chicago had to be subject to frequent re-arrangement.
Enterprises which did not keep up with the spirit of
the times, had to be content to lag behind and event-
ually to lose their places in the community. We must
not, however, undervalue the early work because it
was done by different methods from those we now
employ. We should rather be thankful for the con-
secrated efforts of the men who did each year that
which their hands found to do, and who did it with
wisdom and zeal inspired by love for God and man.
There existed in Chicago, before the revival of 1858,
several social and literary associations. At least one
of these, the Library Association, had a considerable
membership of Christian young men. These associa-
* Appendix.
20
The First Period. 21
tions gradually disappeared and in their places grew
up the Young Men's Christian Association. The first
rooms occuped by the association were at 205 Ran-
dolph street. In April, 1858, the committee on rooms
rented convenient quarters in the Methodist church
block, southeast corner of Washington and Clark
streets. The work prospered from the first and the
association soon found itself deeply interested in every
good work connected with the city. Apart from the
ever-pressing needs connected with the religious life
of the city, it became the recognized center for all
kinds of active work.
The lyceum lecture system was beginning to be
recognized as a great power, and the association took
advantage of this circumstance to bring to the city
lecturers of national reputation whose influence was
always for good. The relief funds of the city, because
of the lack of any other organized means of distribu-
tion, were turned over to the association, and for sev-
eral years its committees looked after the interests of
the many suffering poor, worthy and unworthy, who,
even at this early day, pressed to the city in un-
due numbers. The association was also the head-
quarters for social Christian work, uniting with the
churches in their efforts to furnish a halting place for
the multitudes of young men who were constantly
attracted here by hope of profitable employment.
Many of these young men, then as now, found the
realization of their hopes and ambitions extremely
difficult. Daily encouragement and assistance has
been given from the association during all these forty
years, and many interesting accounts might be given
of men who were saved to themselves and to the world
by the sympathetic words of the wise and devoted
22 The First Period.
men who have served on the committees or as super-
intendents and secretaries in connection with this
important work.
The Sabbath question was one that was considered
seriously and constantly, and efforts were regularly
made to diminish, so far as possible, the desecration
of the Lord's day. Efforts were also made to find
occupation for unemployed men, and to provide busi-
ness men with such help as they might need.
The association has always been the natural enemy
of intemperance in all its forms, and especially
opposed to the influence of the saloon. It is probably
far within bounds to say that by no other influence
have so many young men been kept from the ruinous
indulgence of their appetites as by the association.
This has been accomplished, not only by pointing out
the inevitable harm to character that results from the
associations of the saloon to all who came under its
influence, but by providing wholesome social recre-
ation and occupation for young men outside their
hours of labor. In this way thousands have been
saved from most insidious temptations, and many
others who had lost their self-respect and power for
usefulness, have been restored to the community as
Christian men.
In the midst of all these many opportunities, the war
of the rebellion came. The association promptly
showed that even war may have its humanitarian and
Christian side. The army committee was organized
and continued its activities during the whole of the
great conflict. Under the chairmanship of J. V. Far-
well, it even went so far as to raise companies for a
distinctively Christian regiment. Members of the
association visited the Southern prisoners at Camp
The First Period. 23
Douglas and preached to them the gospel of peace.
The work of the sanitary commission was generously-
supported. The work of the United States Christian
Commission, which was inaugurated by the New York
association, was strongly supported by the association
here. All the agencies within its power, whether for
upholding the union cause or for mitigating the hor-
rors of war, were fully employed. Its literature was
in every camp, and its representatives were to be
found on every battlefield.
The pastors of various churches and others inter-
ested in the city tract work in 1862, requested the
association to assume charge of the distribution of
religious tracts and other papers in the city, and to
select or publish the necessary tracts or papers in con-
nection with a committee consisting of Rev. Doctor
Evarts (Baptist); Professor Fisk (Congregational);
Rev. Doctor Pratt (Episcopal); Rev. T. M. Eddy
(Methodist); Rev. A. Swazey (Presbyterian); Rev.
Robert Patterson (Scotch Presbyterian). The con-
stitution of this committee shows how the work of the
association had become an aid to the work of the
churches, and how readily many of the pastors of
diverse creeds united in its work.
The constitution of the association was amended in
1863 so that women might become auxiliary life
members by the payment of five dollars each. This
action had many things in its favor at the time, and
the Ladies' Auxiliary for many years was of great
assistance to the work of the association. In later
years their valuable aid has been secured without the
privileges of membership.
The subject of procuring a permanent building and
grounds as a home for the association occupied the
24 The First Period.
serious attention of the board of managers in 1864,
and a special committee consisting of B. F. Jacobs,
P. L. Underwood, Charles Covell, and D. L. Moody,
was appointed with instructions to inquire on what
terms grounds could be purchased, and in regard to
the feasibility of erecting a suitable building. As a
result of this movement, the first building of the
association was dedicated at 148 Madison street in
1867. A full account of the several buildings of the
association is reserved for the chapter on "Buildings."
The association undertook, in 1866, through its
boarding-house committee, the establishment of a
boarding-house for women at 532 West Madison
street. In the same year P. L. Underwood was
requested to prepare a petition to the General Assem-
bly of the state in the name of the association for the
establishment in Chicago of a Board of Health similar
to that in New York city. The law committee was
also in that year requested to make preliminary in-
quiries and investigations toward overcoming the evils
resulting from the violation of the Sunday liquor laws.
The library committee was instructed, in 1875, to
place in the library two sets of chessmen, accessible
to any who might desire to use them there. This is
the first mention of games in the rooms of the associ-
ation. Since that time one of the duties of the proper
committee has been to provide suitable games for all
who desire to play them. These games have proved
very attractive, and have kept many young men
pleasantly occupied at times when idleness would
have exposed them to special temptations.
The following extracts from letters written by Dr.
J. H. HolHster and Major D. W. Whittle, give clear
pictures of the work of the early days, and show the
1^ ?-%/ZJ3. 'i£Jp&^
FIRST FARWELL HALL
The First Period. 25
spirit in which all of the plans of the association were
undertaken and carried out.
Doctor Hollister, under date of March 15, 1898,
writes:
"I became a resident of Chicago April 11, 1855.
Its population at the close of 1854 was sixty-five
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two. The whole
west was everywhere wild with speculation until the
financial crash of 1857. Men stood aghast as they
suddenly found themselves penniless and without
employment. Then came that wonderful religious
revival which swept all over this country and across
the Atlantic.
"The churches were filled with anxious and penitent
hearers. The noon prayer-meeting in 1857 and 1858
was a spontaneous expression of the religious awaken-
ing which was everywhere felt. Old "Metropolitan
Hall, "corner of La Salle and Randolph streets, was
daily crowded to its last bit of standing room, at the
noon-day prayer-meeting. Its meetings were led
sometimes by pastors, often by laymen. All pro-
testants united in this common and continuous revival
meeting.
"This union of Christians paved the way for the
Young Men's Christian Association and made its
organization possible. It seemed to some of the
pastors a possible innovation upon established church
and denominational methods. But the young men of
the churches had clasped hands in Christian and
fraternal fellowship, and it was idle to oppose their
methods, so reasonable was their way.
"Steadily the influence grew and gained in favor
with pastors and with the people. The years 1859 to
1 86 1, were tempestuous times. Civil war, with all its
26 The First Period.
horrors, was precipitated. In the midst of the tumult,
the voice of the Young Men's Christian Association
was heard. Young men by scores went from its prayer
rooms to the battlefields. The infusion of Christian
life into the ranks of the regiments was wonderful.
Officers high in rank turned to the association and asked
them to select their chaplains. All through the war,
in close touch with every battlefield and soldiers'
hospital, the fervent prayers and willing labors of our
young men were given for the church of Christ and a
united country.
"More prominent during these eventful years than
any other, in the work of the association, was Dwight
L. Moody. Closely related to him was John V. Far-
well. Along with these were Cyrus Bentley, B. F.
Jacobs, P. L. Underwood, and E. S. Wells. Of course,
scores of others belong to those heroic days.
"The annual meetings of the association during the
early years of its history were eventful gatherings. It
was a sight more novel then than it would be now to
see such men as Doctor Humphrey, of the First Pres-
byterian church. Doctor Evarts, of the First Baptist
church. Bishop Cheney (then a young man), and other
pastors with them, meeting upon a common platform
to commend this new work and give to the young
association expressions of their approval, and their
prayers for its success. The association was ever the
dutiful child of the church, and always loyal to it.
"If I were to speak of the most successful work of
the association, I would say: First, in importance has
been its good influence upon young men. Second, its
maintenance of the noon-day prayer-meeting, helpful
to so many. Third, its spiritual power going into the
churches and families. Fourth, a development of
THIRD FARWELL HALL
The First Period. 27
brotherhood and fellowship among the churches, which
was before unknown. Fifth, a rescue for the stranger
and the homeless. Sixth, an avenue to rational enjoy-
ments and athletic sports. Seventh, the preaching,
by object-lessons of various kinds, of applied Chris-
tianity."
Major D. W. Whittle, under date of March 14, 1898,
writes:
"I came to Chicago April i, 1857. There was then
no association in the city. I wish there had been; it
would have been a help to me. I met on the first
Sunday I was in the city, two men who had much to
do in the forming of the association, and in getting
me into it, B. F. Jacobs and Cyrus Bentley. One
was the superintendent of the First Baptist Sunday
School, and the other the teacher of the young men's
Bible class which I joined a few weeks later. I
attended the Congregational church. Rev. W. W. Pat-
ton, pastor, and joined Dr. J. H. Hollister's Bible class.
"I well remember the first reception held by Doctor
Hollister, as president of the association, in one of the
rooms of the M. E. church building, corner of Clark
and Washington streets, and the pleasant impression
made upon me (I was then unconverted) by the cordial-
ity and kind interest shown in the young men by the
Christian men who were present. Upon my conversion,
in i860, I became an active member of the association,
and was often present at the noon meetings, held in
the M. E. church building.
"Mr. Moody was the active man in those days, and
gave much time to the building up of the association.
John V. Farwell, B. F. Jacobs, F. M. Rockwell, and
Deacon Hoyt, are among those connected with the
noon-day meetings of i860 and 1861, whom I recall.
28 The First Period.
In 1862 I was a member of a band of association
men in raising a regiment for the war. William Hol-
brook, Henry C. Mowry, James Sexton, P. L. Under-
wood, Benjamin W. Underwood, David W. Perkins,
Henry French, Jacob S. Curtiss, Porter Ransom, and
Isaac Haney were those I remember of this company.
The majority of them are not now living. We were
authorized by the war committee of the association
to recruit men under its auspices. We raised in a
short time five companies and could have raised five
companies more, but were consolidated with five com-
panies raised by the board of trade. We organized
as the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, and hurried
to the front. Many of the men of our regiment were
Christians; many became Christians during their army
life. After the resignation of our Chaplain, Rev. Henry
E. Barnes, in 1863, we organized a Young Men's
Christian Association for the regiment, and under its
auspices and by its officers and members, the religious
wants of the regiment were cared for during the rest of
the war. We found the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation well adapted to army conditions and needs.
"The original association was an outgrowth of the
great revival of 1857 and 1858, and is connected in
my memory with the impressive manifestations of the
spirit of God that were witnessed in those days, and,
in later days, with the revival scenes of 1873- 1876,
when Moody and Sankey led our forces, and when
Miss Willard, Major Cole, P. P. Bliss, John W. Dean,
and others, commenced their work for Christ in Far-
well Hall, and from there went out over the world."
The interests which engaged the attention of the
association gradually became so various that it was
evident that the line must be sharply drawn between
JAMES L. HOUGHTELING
The First Period. 29
the work for young men and all other work. No
other means of doing the work for which the associa-
tion was founded could be devised, and happily there
was no need that any should be desired. The associ-
ation had stood for years for everything that was
good. In its desire to help, it had made the mistakes
into which generous impulses lead individuals ; it had
helped everybody, and some of its beneficiaries had
proved unworthy. It had listened to everyone who
had a progressive idea or a thought for his fellow men
and so it had listened at times to visionaries. It had
pushed forward in every movement that promised to
be good, and had sometimes been deceived. In the
meantime the association had passed from infancy to
manhood, strengthened by its struggles, and was be-
ginning to realize what possibilities the growth of the
city and the new conditions of life had placed in its
way.
The election of James L. Houghteling to the pre-
sidency in 1882, proved to be a long step toward a
more definite work. The city had become too large
for the association to do all the work, so it began to
restrict itself to its original purpose. The welfare of
young men again became its one concern. To keep
them from evil, to win them to be Christian gentle-
men, industrious workmen, good citizens, loyal to
their homes and the church, more and more became
the purpose of its committees, leaders, and officers.
It was during Mr. Houghteling's presidency that
JohnV. Farwell, Jr., and Cyrus H. McCormick, first ac-
tively engaged in the work of the association. From
that day to this these three able and devoted men
have led in rounding out the association by adding to
its strong spiritual work, social, intellectual, and phy-
30 The First Period.
sical activities. Under their guidance one general
agency for good after another has been removed from
the association and established as an independent
Christian enterprise. This has made the association
strong and definite without impairing the efificiency
of other agencies for good. It has not been accom-
plished by chance, but by the constant effort and self-
sacrifice of these efificient leaders and those who have
been associated with them in the work.
The devotion and active participation of practical
and successful men in a good cause leads other men
to believe in it and to put themselves in an attitude to
be blessed by it. That to which men give most
thought, attention, effort, as a rule, is that to which
they adhere with greatest loyalty. The association
work is no exception to the rule, for its closest and
best friends now continue to be those whose time and
money and efforts have been most freely given to it
in the past. That consecration to this work, as to all
good work, has brought its own blessings in most
unexpected and providential ways. The presidents
of the association, the trustees, the managers, the sec-
retaries, the committeemen, during all these years
have been thankful to God that He has made such
work a possible part of life in Chicago, and that it has
been their privilege to participate in it.
The work has so developed that specialized agencies
are now doing what the association for a time under-
took. The relief work, in which for years the asso-
ciation was so prominent, is now cared for by the
Relief and Aid Society, and by the efforts of organ-
ized charity. The city mission work is committed to
the various churches and the church societies to which
it properly belongs. The Young Women's Christian
The First Period. 31
Association has a work as thoroughly adapted to the
needs of women as the work of this association is to
those of men, and an auxiliary membership for women
in the association is no longer required. The literary
work, pure and simple, has been taken up by others;
and, now that the lyceum bureau has been superseded
by managers, the eminent speakers of the world come
to our city under other auspices. Much of the mis-
cellaneous social work formerly undertaken by the
association, has found a more suitable place in the
institutional and other work of the churches. The
sanitary and Christian commissions happily had no
reason for continuance after the close of the war. The
growth of denominational and miscellaneous evangel-
istic literature has rendered unnecessary the earlier
work of the association in its publication and circula-
tion.
Chicago has become a cosmopolitan city in which
definiteness of aim and specialization of effort are
required. As the real place of the association became
clear, the fields of other efforts also became so, and it
and they were able to develop into special agencies.
While, as we have seen, the association for a time
became a center for the general religious and phi-
lanthropic work of the city, the fact must not be over-
looked that it never lost sight of its original pur-
pose. This appears in its statement of objects in
the second constitution, — "the spiritual, intellectual,
and social improvement of all within its reach, irre-
spective of age, sex, or condition, but especially of
young men." Here the young men, though reserved
for the last clause, are given special attention. Their
importance as a class, their need of salvation, were
ever present to the minds of the consecrated men who
32 The First Period.
directed the association through its period of early
growth and transition. While the association did
much else, it also did much for young men. The
noon-day meeting and the other religious services
were conducted largely with a view to their spiritual
needs and to bring them to Christ. To attract and
hold them was the main purpose in the introduction
of the gymnasium and other "secular agencies," which
were for a time regarded with suspicion by some of
the best friends of the association.
The spirit of prayer, upon which the emphasis was
placed from the beginning, has, during these forty
successful years, remained the prevailing spirit of the
association. Whatever else has engrossed the atten-
tion of the members, the noon prayer-meeting has
never been displaced. Even when, in 1868, fire
destroyed the first building of the association, the
noon prayer-meeting was held as usual; and Heavenly
wisdom was sought in the midst of calamity. When
the second building was destroyed in the great fire of
1 87 1, the disaster which for the moment seemed irrep-
arable did not prevent the usual assembly for prayer.
The association has always contained men who believe
in God under all circumstances; and they have given
constant proof to the world of what God had done for
them, and of what they believe He will do for others.
The association stands to-day a monument of prayer-
directed effort. Its work has far surpassed the fondest
expectations of its founders, and will continue to grow
as long as there are consecrated men to work and
souls to save.
Mr. F. G. Ensign writes: "The principal feature
of the work during the early years was the daily
prayer-meeting, and the religious efforts growing out
<
r
X
>
r
r
z
H
W
o
5S
The First Period. 33
of it. The fervor of the brethren who led and took
part in the daily meetings was inspiring, and the
meeting itself was a sort of rallying place for the men
and women who were occupied in the various lines of
Christian effort in the city. Mr. Moody was the lead-
ing spirit and gathered about him a band of men who
were winners of souls. The very atmosphere of the
rooms of the association was one of prayer and praise.
Although the appointments were very modest and
plain, the spirit of those who met in those daily serv-
ices was one of remarkable consecration."
The services of Dwight L. Moody, in the early days
of the association, were of inestimable value; and his
influence has remained during all these later years as
a benediction. From 1861 until 1870, no man was so
constant and persistent in the work as was Mr. Moody.
He gave to it the first labors of his early days and the
ripe thoughts of his mature years. A well-known
business man, in whose store Mr. Moody was once
employed, said: "Mr. Moody would make quite a
good clerk if he had not so many other things on his
hands." Those "other things" were the eternal inter-
ests of his fellow men; and such a spirit as his could
not long be confined even by the bonds that hold
most men to the appointed tasks by which they earn
their daily bread. With an enthusiasm that could not
be dampened, and an energy which never abated, Mr.
Moody pursued his arrow-straight course. What he
has done for communities and for nations in these
later years, he did for the association in its early
days. It would be impossible to estimate his useful-
ness to the association, or to catalogue the details of
his successful work. The association claims him as
its greatest single champion, and honors him for the
34 The First Period.
work that he did while here not less than for the work
for the world's evangelization which he has since pur-
sued with such success. It rejoices that one whose
training was in part obtained in its service, should be
so manifestly called of God to the great work in which
he has since engaged.
Other workers in the same field during the first
period have given the association consecrated service,
and like Mr. Moody have themselves been blessed in
rendering it. The names of Frank M. Rockwell, W.
W. Vanarsdale, and A. T. Hemingway, the other
general secretaries of the association prior to 1888,
stand for all that is patient, effective, and consecrated
in Christian work. Each, in turn, met the conditions
of his time, and the association owes and pays to them
a constant recognition of merited honor.
During the service of Mr. Rockwell, from 1866
until after the great fire, new problems were constantly
arising on account of the new and confused condition
of the city. To the solution of these problems
Mr. Rockwell gave himself with untiring energy and
with marked success.
Within Mr. Vanarsdale's term of service the asso-
ciation sold its publishing business to Mr. F. H.
Revell. This had grown to considerable proportions.
It was also during this time that the association paper
was started by Mr. Vanarsdale.
Mr. Hemingway was appointed secretary in 1878,
and continued his work with a slight interruption until
the close of 1887. During this important period Mr.
Hemingway won the confidence of his associates and
of the business men of the city by his devoted and
self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of the work, and by
his never failing sympathy with young men. Mr.
■^r'fS^"''^' -sr-w :^
W. \V. Vanarsdale
GENERAL SECRETARIES
F. M. Rockwell
L. Wilbur Messer
A. T. Hemingway
The First Period, 35
Hemingway did much to increase the membership and
the financial constituency of the association. As we
have seen, progress was also made during his adminis-
tration in the direction of a more definite work for
young men.
The closing years of this period prepared the way
for the great step in advance involved in the reorgan-
ization and extension under what is known as the
metropolitan plan. The city more than doubled its
population in the decade between 1880 and 1890.
The plans and equipment which had served for a city
of less than a half million souls, were more and more
felt to be insufficient as the city rapidly increased its
population. In the midst of vast material advances,
the need of greater specialization and better organiza-
tion of the spiritual forces of the city became apparent.
The association, in common with the other spiritual
agencies of the city, gradually responded to its grow-
ing needs. The movement was in part conscious, in
part due to changing conditions. It was wholly pro-
vidential.
Thus the association, at the close of its first period,
looked back upon thirty busy years, within which
Chicago had grown from a raw provincial community
of one hundred thousand people to a metropolitan city
of a million souls. It cherished the memory of a
unique and successful co-operation in Christian work
by many men of differing views, who came together
from the four corners of the world to unite their
energies in building an imperial city within a single
generation. It cherished as its own an untarnished
and precious record of Christian service, performed
by many noble souls under conditions of difficulty not
elsewhere known. It held aloft, in the presence of
36 The First Period.
vast material interests, a spiritual ideal. It held and
taught that character is more than possessions, that
the things which are eternal are unseen.
Thus trained and equipped by the successful experi-
ences of thirty years, thus inspired by noble memories
and purposes, the association, at the beginning of
1888, faced the larger and more definite work to
which it was called of God.
THE SECOND PERIOD. (1888-1898.)
The year 1888 is a memorable one in the history of
the Chicago association. Within its early months,
L. Wilbur Messer, a man of rare qualifications and
special fitness, became general secretary of the asso-
ciation. At its close the movement for a more
definite work, which, as we have seen, began several
years earlier, culminated in the metropolitan organi-
zation.
The association then consisted of the central and
four railroad departments. The railroad departments
were weak and without adequate equipment. Farwell
Hall, the only building then owned by the organiza-
tion, was equipped for mission effort rather than asso-
ciation work. The paid membership was less than
two thousand. Women were still eligible to member-
ship. While much progress toward specialization had
been made, the association still maintained mixed
meetings, a Sunday school for the Chinese, and street
and jail meetings, and carried on much miscellaneous
work. Farwell Hall was yet a center of many forms
of Christian activity. Indeed, more than a dozen out-
side organizations were still at home in its rooms, with
no thought of contributing to its expenses. The asso-
ciation had so long served as the foster mother to
every good cause that some of them claimed the
rights of children in Farwell Hall, the family home-
stead. The process of leading these to regard them-
37
38 The Second Period.
selves of age was a slow and somewhat painful one;
but it was finally accomplished.
The revision of the constitution late in 1888, placed
the association on a definite basis and inaugurated the
metropolitan plan of organization. This plan does
not change the relation of the board of trustees to the
association. Their authority over its property is fixed
by the charter and remains as before. Prior to its
adoption the board of managers exercised direct con-
trol over all the work, and was responsible for its
conduct Under the metropolitan plan the board of
managers consists of twenty-one representatives of
evangelical denominations, who serve for three years,
one third of them retiring each year. The principal
functions of this important body may be briefly stated.
It is charged with the direction of the general policy
of the association, the general supervision of all
departments, the organization of new departments, the
adjustment of the relations of the departments to the
general body and to each other, the control of inter-
department athletics, the receipt and disbursement of
all funds, the procurement of secretaries and physical
directors, the promotion and introduction of advanced
methods, the direct management of the central build-
ing, and the control of the relations of the association
with the world-wide brotherhood. It now employs, to
direct this work, the general secretary, an assistant
general secretary, and three office assistants. Some
idea of the extent of the office work done is indicated
by the fact that in 1897 the sum of one hundred and
forty-four thousand six hundred and seventy-one
dollars passed through the general office of the asso-
ciation.
The metropolitan plan introduced a great change in
JOHN V. FARVVELL, Jr.
The Second Period. 39
the direct management of the work. What had been
the Chicago association became the central depart-
ment, the principal one of several departments, each
of which was placed under its own committee of man-
agement acting under the general supervision of
the board of managers. The new constitution states
the object of the association to be "the improvement
of the spiritual, mental, social, and physical condition
of young men." It limits the membership to men.
Provision is made for active, associate and honorary
membership. It will be remembered that under the
second constitution women were admitted as "auxili-
ary" members, and that both men and women were
admitted to life membership. The new constitution
also requires applicants for membership in the associ-
ation to be over sixteen years of age. The entire
paid membership is now about six thousand, being
nearly three times what it was ten years ago.
There have been great changes in the extent, as
well as in the character of the work, since 1888. Two
only of the five departments then in existence, the
central and Garfield boulevard departments, now
remain. The Forty-eighth street railroad department
was closed in 1891. That at Sixteenth street was also
closed in 1891, The Kinzie street railroad department
was recently suspended because of the opening at
West Fortieth street of the new building of the Chi-
cago and Northwestern railroad department. Within
this period the Bridgeport, South Chicago, Millard
avenue, Pullman, and German departments, were
organized, continued for longer or shorter periods,
and finally closed. Each of these did good work
for a time. No one of them was a distinct failure.
Some of them were closed because of changed con-
40 The Second Period.
ditions; others for lack of adequate local support. It
has been the policy of the board of managers, from
the inauguration of the metropolitan plan, to require
the committee of management of each department to
provide for its financial support from the constituency
assigned to it. At some of the points named the
work will no doubt be resumed when local conditions
become favorable.
The association has organized the West Side (1889),
Intercollegiate (1890), Ravenswood (1891), Hyde Park
(1895), Chicago and Northwestern (1897) Dearborn
Station (1897), ^^^id Elsdon (1898), departments within
this period. It has also adopted the Englewood
department (1897), which was organized as an inde-
pendent association in 1886, before the annexation of
Englewood to the city.
The Central, West Side, Ravenswood, Englewood,
and Hyde Park departments are for general work.
Each occupies an important field, is well equipped
and is on a permanent and successful basis. The
intercollegiate department includes regularly organi-
zed student associations in the University of Chicago
and in thirteen of the professional schools of the city.
The Garfield boulevard, Chicago and Northwestern,
and Dearborn Station departments are for railroad
men. The work at each point is well equipped and is
doing a successful and permanent work. The Elsdon
department for railroad work, though new, has a suit-
able building in process of erection. The equipment
and support already secured insure the success of this
department.
The growth of the Chicago association, within this
period, is not measured by the members gained, the
points occupied, the departments organized, the build-
CLASS ROOM, CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
■•"^^
I
_M
40
pn
1 ^^^B^ ^ 133wL ^
£i#
«
CLASS ROOM, CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
The Second Period. 41
ings acquired. Indeed, it cannot be measured by
statistics alone, however complete. With the prog-
ress in organization and occupation of new fields, has
proceeded a not less significant transformation in the
character of the work done. In a word, the work of
the association has become definite and specialized.
It has become a definite work for young men. This
one thing it does. Their salvation is still its supreme
purpose. In common with the entire brotherhood,
it has come clearly to see that the salvation of young
men involves the improvement of their "spiritual,
mental, social, and physical condition;" that this
improvement requires a four-fold work to meet these
four great needs of young men, Hence, has come
within the association the specialization into its four
great departments of work. It is not the purpose to
press one of these to the exclusion of the others, but
to make each as strong as possible in its proper place.
The former distinction between spiritual and secular
agencies is no longer pressed. The earnest desire is
to develop thoroughly rounded manly character. All
agencies that tend to this result are now regarded as
spiritual in the best sense. It is believed that com-
plete salvation involves a trained mind in a sound body
with right relations to God and man. It is the single
purpose of the Young Men's Christian Association to
supply the conditions that will most surely lead multi-
tudes of young men to this complete salvation.
The Chicago association, in the development of this
specialized four-fold work, has not abated one jot
from the zeal for the conversion of men, which char-
acterized its earlier years. Within the year 1897 ^^e
spiritual section held, in the several departments of
the association, nine hundred and seventy-five religious
42 The Second Period.
services, with a total attendance of one hundred and
nineteen thousand one hundred and sixty-eight men.
In addition, five hundred and thirty-seven sessions of
Bible classes were held. There were four hundred
and ninety-seven professed conversions and one hun-
dred and eighty-six men were referred to city pastors
for church membership. No statistics can indicate
the improvement from day to day in all that goes to
make up Christian character among the thousands of
young men who are directly and indirectly influenced
by the association.
The educational section of the association, as now
conducted, dates from the opening of the new central
building. Educational classes were conducted in Far-
well Hall from about 1882. From this experience it
appeared that many young men, who have embarked
upon their careers, feel the need of further study to
insure success. There can be scarcely a better service
rendered to a young man than to aid him to a better
training for the work upon which he has already
entered. Class work is now systematically conducted
at the central and West side departments. In addi-
tion, ten reading rooms are open daily, and many lec-
tures and practical talks are given. Within the year
1897, eleven hundred and ninety-three students were
enrolled in evening classes and one hundred and two
students were enrolled in day classes. Twenty-six
hundred and fifty-eight evening recitations, with an
attendance of thirty-one thousand and ninety-eight,
were held. The day business department, which offers
complete business courses, began its work in 1896.
Its growth has been steady and substantial. The
work at the central department is carried on under
the name of Association College. It has been under
CLASS ROOM, CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
PARLOR, CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
The Second Period. 43
the highly efficient direction of Walter M. Wood since
the opening of the new building. In his last annual
report Mr. Wood says:
"I am led hereto state briefly the large purpose of
the Young Men's Christian Association in conduct-
ing its educational work. This purpose may be de-
fined under five distinct heads: First, to offer a gen-
uine attraction to the association membership; sec-
ond, to provide for the practical educational training
of young men; third, to provide opportunity for intel-
lectual culture; fourth, to encourage helpful social
intercourse among young men; fifth, to open an easy
and natural way for the exercise of a positive Christian
influence on the lives of young men who become stu-
dents and club men. I think you will agree with me
that if this multiform purpose is carried out, and the
results of the past years prove that it is being realized,
then certainly in association college the management
and students alike have every reason to be inspired
for the most noble work, and to feel confident that all
efforts will contribute, not to any mercenary, narrow
or unworthy end, but to that most noble accomplish-
ment, the development of men of intelligence, culture
and moral power."
The social section of the association extends to all
its departments. It has received constant attention
throughout this period. Receptions, socials, and
entertainments have been frequent in all its depart-
ments. The social and game rooms are well patron-
ized, and there is a home-like atmosphere in all the
buildings of the association. The work of the other
sections also brings men together under most favor-
able and helpful conditions.
The physical section has made rapid strides within
44 The Second Period.
this period. Ten years ago there was but one gyrn-
nasium. It was started in 1876, and had become
inadequate for its purpose. It was practically the
only physical work which the association had ever
undertaken. It now has six well equipped gymnasi-
ums and many baseball, basket ball, bicycle, and ten-
nis clubs. The entire physical work of the association
is under competent direction and careful control. The
gymnasium at the central building is probably unsur-
passed in completeness. It is fully equipped with
bathing facilities, including a swimming tank. Ample
provision is made for physical examinations. Since
the opening of the building this gymnasium has been
under the direction of George W. Ehler, a man of
special qualifications and training for his important
work. An indication of the value of the work of this
section appears from some of the statistics for 1897.
The number of class sessions in all gymnasiums was
thirteen hundred and sixty-two, with a total attend-
ance of thirty-seven thousand and ninety-one men.
There were nine hundred and ninety-eight medical
examinations. The number of baths taken was one
hundred and twenty-seven thousand eight hundred
and four. These statistics merely indicate part of the
indoor work of the physical section.
Thus it appears that specialization of the work of
the association has proceeded in two directions. In
all its departments it seeks the improvement of "the
spiritual, mental, social, and physical condition of
young men." By its different departments it pro-
vides for the special needs of various classes of
young men. It now makes special provision for col-
lege men and railroad men in its collegiate and rail-
road departments; and provides for resident young
men of Christian or moral character in its departments
GYMNASIUM. CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
NATATORIUM, CENTRAL DEPARTMENT
The Second Period. 45
for general work. It plans for lodging homes for
young men of limited income, transient or but just
acquiring a foothold in the city; also for rescue
departments to reach and save men of intemperate
and vicious habits and criminal practices. Through
the means of its spiritual, educational, social, and
physical sections in all its departments it provides for
the needs of all young men.
The services of many faithful assistant and depart-
ment secretaries have largely contributed to the suc-
cesses of the Chicago association, especially in its more
recent years. The names of all cannot be recorded
here. Those of William Cook, George T. Howser,
George B. Townsend, Daniel Sloan, James F. Gates
and Walter T. Hart cannot be omitted from even a
sketch of the association. William Cook has success-
fully filled the position of railroad secretary at Kinzie
street and the new Chicago and Northwestern depart-
ment for seventeen years, and is now the oldest in serv-
ice here of the secretarial force. George T. Howser
was first assistant secretary during the closing years
of Mr. Hemingway's term, and was acting secretary for
a few months. After making a good record here, he
accepted the general secretaryship at Cincinnati.
George B, Townsend was the active and efficient
financial secretary of the association from 1882 to 1891.
Daniel Sloan was the first secretary of the Madison
street (now central) department under the metropoli-
tan organization. His faithful and efficient service
was rendered during a period of transition. James F.
Gates, a man of ability and college training, upon his
graduation became Mr. Sloan's assistant in 1893, ^rid»
upon the latter's retirement in 1895, ^^^ successor.
He is now the able and successful secretary of the
central department, the largest single department in
46 The Second Period.
the association world. Walter T. Hart is the assistant
general secretary of the association, which position he
has filled with great acceptance since the reorganiza-
tion of 1888. The entire secretarial force now consists
of thirty men. Seven of these are college graduates.
It is but the truth to say that the entire force is un-
equaled elsewhere. The regular employees of the
association of all grades now number one hundred and
four.
This period in the life of the association will ever
be memorable for the progress made in securing ade-
quate buildings. Some account of this progress is
reserved for its proper place in the chapter on "Build-
ings." Nor can an account of the more important
matters of this period omit reference to the wider rela-
tions of the Chicago association. This is reserved for
the chapter on "World-wide Relations."
We are still in the midst of the period of which this
chapter treats. The fortieth anniversary does not
mark its close, but is merely an incident in its course
— a time to review an inspiring past and plan for the
even larger opportunities and duties of the coming
years. What some of these opportunities and duties
are now believed to be, appears in the final chapter on
"The Outlook." Suffice it here to say, that the past
ten years have been years of organization, struggle,
growth, achievement — years in which the association
has kept pace with the growth of the city. Within
these years it has become a great public institution.
As such it has received a popular support, to which it
is entitled only because of its public character. At
this anniversary hour, it rejoices in what it has been
permitted to do for the good of men, and with renewed
faith enters upon the larger work which lies ahead.
HENRY M. HUBBARD
BUILDINGS.
The first building ever erected for association pur-
poses, the first of four erected by the Chicago asso-
ciation on the site of the present central building, was
dedicated on September 29, 1867. The achievements
of the building movement since this, its initial step,
mark the progress of the association idea. These
achievements also show, in a concrete way, the grow-
ing confidence of practical men in the character and
value of association work.
The Chicago association, prior to the erection of
its first building, occupied rented rooms at 205 Ran-
dolph street (1858-1859), and in First Methodist
Church Block (1859-1867) at the southeast corner of
Washington and Clark streets. Early in 1864 the
records show that " the subject of a permanent build-
ing and grounds as a home for the association occupied
a large part of the time of the board." E. S. Wells,
J. V. Farwell, D. L Moody, B. F. Jacobs, P. L.
Underwood and others were active in the movement
which resulted in the completion of the historic
structure known as the first Farwell Hall. Mr. John
V. Farwell gave land and cash to the amount of
;^6o,000, thereby making this great achievement possi-
ble at that time.
Those who had prayed and toiled for the erection
of the first building were permitted to enjoy it but
four short months. On January 7, 1868, it was burned
47
48 Buildings.
to the ground. The records of the time show the
spirit in which this great calamit}^ was met:
" On the morning of the 7th of January we were
called upon in the Providence which God permitted to
visit us, to ' pass under the rod,' and literally to obey
the voice of the prophet, ' Glorify ye the Lord in the
fires.' At a quarter past nine o'clock the cry of ' Fire
in Farwell Hall,' rang sharply through our office,
seeming at first 'as the cry of one who mocketh,' but
soon realized as true in the awful conflagration which
swept in an hour to the object of our prayers and
labors for years. But in the hour of the fierce, fiery
elements, God's hand was manifest in kindness, for no
flame kindled upon the person of our young men in
the work, and no life was lost. Many friends came to
the rescue of such effects as could be saved, and we
succeeded in securing all the association records, a
part of the library and rooms furniture, with nearly
eight hundred volumes of the most valuable works in
our library. When the flames were fiercest, the call
for prayer was sounded, and the daily prayer-meeting,
which has never been suspended for one day since
its organization, gathered in the lecture-room of the
Methodist Church at the usual hour for prayer and
praise. Most earnestly and humbly we bowed before
the great and all-wise Giver, blessing the hand which
took as well as gave. The test of our faith was also
the test of our friends, and until the flames had wrapt
our building as a winding sheet, we had never known
how many and how true were those who loved our
association. Scores wept as though their own homes
were burning."
The association promptly secured rooms in Major
Block, corner of LaSalle and Madison streets, where
<
w
H
C
K
C
w
>
z
H
C
G
Z
Buildings. 49
the work continued to be vigorously prosecuted.
Major D. W. Whittle writes:
"The first fire seemed a great calamity to us, but
it proved a blessing in converting most of those who
were stockholders in the building to donors of their
subscriptions, and starting us upon a better footing."
The second building, erected in 1868, was dedicated
January 19, 1869. It was destroyed in the great fire
of 1871. How this second calamity was met is shown
by the following extracts from the records:
"October 8', 1871, the association buildings were
burned in the great fire.
"October 25, 1871, the following relief committee
was appointed immediately after the fire: John V.
Farwell, treasurer; D. L. Moody, B. F. Jacobs, D. W.
Whittle, Rev. C. E. Cheney; Rev. Robert Patterson,
secretary.
"October 30, 1871, Messrs. Whittle, Jacobs, and
Hitchcock were appointed a special committee on
building barracks for religious purposes. Board met
in Seventh Presbyterian Church, corner of Peoria and
Jackson streets.
"November 16, 1871, Major Whittle reported that
the committee had secured rooms on the West side at
97 Randolph street, and had ordered shelving put in
for library purposes. The president and secretary
were instructed to execute the leases for their own
room and office at 97 Randolph street at eight hundred
dollars per annum."
Mr. F. G. Ensign writes of this event:
' The association was rendered homeless by the
great Chicago fire. The question of rebuilding came
to the front. All members of the association were
scattered, and many had left the city temporarily or
CO Buildings.
permanently, so that few were left to take the task of
reconstruction. The first step was to secure the sur-
render of the stock; for the buildings that were
burned had been built on the stock plan. The sum of
two hundred and sixteen thousand dollars had been
paid for this stock by the subscribers, most of whom
expected to get six per cent, interest annually on their
investment. The task of finding the addresses of
these stockholders and soliciting them to surrender
their stock was apportioned to me. In a few months
the stock to the face value of one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars was surrendered, and the third build-
ing of the association was erected."
The greater part of the remaining stock was gradu-
ally donated to the association. Some of it was
retired in other ways.
The third building was dedicated on November 9,
1874. It was erected at a cost of one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. It had a frontage of thirty-five
feet at 148 Madison street, a depth of one hundred
and eighty feet to Arcade court, with a wing to the
eastward one hundred and twenty by seventy-six
feet. The south, or main portion of its site, is that
of all but the front of the present noble structure.
Each of the first three buildings bore the name of
Farwell Hall. This was appropriate, as the great
hall was the main feature of each. The association,
in its early days, was largely a library and place for
holding religious meetings. A great hall for the
larger meetings, a smaller one for the noonday and
other smaller services, rooms for the library and the
offices, met the requirements of the association. As
the work developed to meet the spiritual, mental,
social and physical needs of young men, the old type
<
R
Z
O
c
D
C
w
>
H
w
2
H
C3
c
F
g
z
r
>
PI
D
Buildings. 51
of building was found to be wholly inadequate. Toward
the end of the year 1888, the managers and trus-
tees of the association became convinced that the old
building must be radically changed throughout or a
new structure secured. A careful examination of the
building showed that it would be impossible to
remodel it so as to give modern facilities. Upon con-
sultation with architects, it was found that the shape
of the lot would make a new building, not only expen-
sive in construction, but inadequate to the require-
ments. The first step, therefore, was investigation as
to an available building site. Owing to the geographi-
cal arrangement of the city, the first requisite was
that it be in the very heart of the central or down-
town district. To move any distance in any direction
would deprive the association of a large share of its
usefulness. Much time and consideration were, there-
fore, given to the choice of a lot. Just when the
search in this direction seemed futile, it occurred to
the committee that by the sale of that portion of the
lot which fronted thirty-five feet on Madison street,
and purchase of the lot lying between the rear of the
property and LaSalle street, a more symmetrical
building could be secured, with a frontage of fifty-
three feet on LaSalle street, a depth of one hundred
and eighty-five feet upon Arcade court, and a width in
the rear of eighty-one feet.
The high value of the land, and the great cost of
construction of a building adapted solely for the uses
and purposes of the association, made it necessary to
embrace in the general scheme a building which
should combine the facilities required by the associa-
tion with a large number of offices to be rented for
business purposes. The income from the offices is
52
Buildings.
now applied in carrying the debt which was incurred
in the construction of the building. When the debt is
paid this income will be available for the extension of
the work of the association.
Numerous sketches and studies were made before
the matter was allowed to go beyond the knowledge
and consideration of a few members of the board of
managers. At the annual dinner in January, 1889,
some of the gentlemen present presented the associa-
tion with fifty silver dollars, which they desired to
have kept as the beginning of a fund for a new build-
ing. The suggestion was received with enthusiasm,
and the trust fund for this purpose was begun. Noth-
ing definite, however, during that year was accom-
plished. Faith and courage were not yet sufficient to
justify a canvass for a building fund.
John Crerar, long a distinguished merchant, died
in October, 1889, leaving a will which will stand as
one of the historic documents of Chicago, illustrating
a wise testamentary distribution of wealth. It called
forth the admiration of every broad-minded citizen.
In the simplicity and force of its language, in the high
moral tone which pervaded all the provisions by which
a great library was to be founded for the benefit of the
people, it was unique. Among the many monuments
for good raised by the noble purpose of Mr. Crerar,
none will stand for more far-reaching and conspicuous
results than what he did by his gift of fifty thousand
dollars to the Young Men's Christian Association of
Chicago, which will be his trustee in extending to
generations of young men the open hand of fellowship.
This bequest came as an inspiration to the officers of
the association. It was immediately felt that this
would be a foundation-stone upon which to rest the
ENGLEWOOD DEPARTMENT BUILDING
Buildings. 53
superstructure of the new building. Acting under the
encouragement of this gift, two subscriptions of twenty-
five thousand dollars each were quickly secured from
friends of Mr. Crerar, thus securing one hundred thou-
sand dollars as the beginning of this important move-
ment.
An upper room of the old building was crowded with
members of the association to usher in the New Year
of 1891. An earnest religious service had been con-
ducted, after which plans were submitted and discussed
relating to a new building which should be commen-
surate with the growing interest and greatly increased
activity of the association in Chicago. The sub-
scription books were opened at this meeting, and,
in less than sixty days, as the result of an earnest
canvass by committees then organized, forty thousand
dollars more was pledged toward the building fund,
most of the subscriptions being for comparatively small
amounts. Simultaneously with this canvass, an option
was secured upon the LaSalle street property owned
by the Andrews estate, in order that time might be
given in which to test the possibility of securing the
funds necessary for the erection of a building. With
pledges in hand to the extent of one hundred and forty
thousand dollars; an option upon property which
would give the very best location to be found in the
entire city; the old building rapidly approaching a
condition where it must be either entirely remodeled
or pulled down, the managers and trustees of the
association felt that the time had come for a final
effort to rise and build anew. After serious consider-
ation it was decided to start the new enterprise with
confidence and a determination to succeed.
The first work was to prepare a plan which should
54 Buildings.
give the best possible conveniences and equipment for
the association part of the building, and also well
arranged and well-lighted offices. When to these
requirements were added the necessity of an audi-
torium to hold at least twelve hundred people for the
religious and other gatherings connected with the
association; also a gymnasium, with its large open
space and the usual running track, it will be realized
that the problem before the architect was one of no
mean proportions. Messrs. Jenney & Mundie were
called to this work, and after a few weeks of incessant
labor with the general secretary and a committee of
managers, a plan was finally prepared which success-
fully met all these requirements. The result was a
design for a fire-proof, steel-constructed building of
twelve stories in height, with a facade of most digni-
fied and attractive appearance. The roof, marked by
a tower, was intended to form a distinguishing feature
of this building, standing as it does among buildings
devoted entirely to mercantile and secular interests.
The financial problem being the first one to be
solved, a building committee was appointed, composed
of the following gentlemen: N. S. Bouton, chairman;
S. M. Moore, E. G. Keith, A. L. Coe, Cyrus H.
McCormick, John V. Farwell, jr., Henry M. Hubbard,
and James L. Houghteling. Without delay they
called in as advisory members, with particular refer-
ence to the general financial scheme, Owen F. Aldis,
Byron L. Smith and John J. Mitchell, who were not
members of the board of managers. This committee,
undertook the consideration of the building plans,
and the preparation of a financial scheme by which
the enterprise could be carried successfully to comple-
tion.
T
>
PC
a
-0
m
z
r
z
CD
>
tn
ID
D
Buildings. 55
The committee finally proposed a financial plan as
follows :
Contributions $400,000
Sale of Madison street property 175,000
Thirtj-jear bonds 600,000
The land was estimated as being worth $50 per
square foot; which, added to the cost of the building,
would make a security for the bonds beyond question.
An arrangement was then made for the sale of the
bonds to the First National Bank of Chicago.
An active canvass was immediately begun for sub-
scriptions, and in three months a total of ^300,000 was
subscribed. This was the figure decided upon as
necessary before the work could be undertaken. It
was felt that the remaining ^100,000 could be secured
as the work progressed. An analysis of the subscrip-
tions shows that, aside from the bequest received from
the will of John Crerar, there were two subscriptions
making together ;^6o,ooo, four of ;gio,ooo each, seven
of S6,ooo, thirteen of ^5,000, three of ^3,500, two of
$3,000, three of $2,500, eight of $2,000, one of $1,500,
one of $1,300, three of $1,250, and ninety-eight of
$1,000, The citizens of Chicago gave to this project
liberally and encouraged the committee in their work.
On May 10, 1892, the pulling down of the Andrews
building on LaSalle street was begun. The work upon
the foundations was begun sixty days later, and it
was pushed with vigor. It was originally hoped that
the building would be ready for occupancy May i,
1893, but the time necessary to secure the subscrip-
tions and the difficulty of obtaining the structural steel,
delayed the work so that it was impossible to finish
the building by that time.
The panic of 1893 very seriously interfered with
56 Buildings.
the project ; and, although the construction was pushed,
the committee which had in charge the securing of the
requisite additional subscriptions were obliged tempo-
rarily to suspend their work. In the mean time, No-
vember II, 1893, the building was opened for the
occupancy of the association, although the office part
was not at that time completed. As the committee
was unwilling to incur additional debt, — the full amount
of subscriptions not yet being secured, — it was felt
necessary to omit the interior finish of four of the
upper floors. It was soon discovered that this would
be very detrimental to the economical completion of
the work already ordered. Hence a syndicate was
organized to borrow the money from outside sources
and finish up the ninth floor. As the work of securing
subscriptions progressed, this syndicate was reimbursed
and another one formed to finish the tenth and eleventh
and part of the twelfth floors. This work was not fin-
ished and all the offices of the building ready for
renting until May i, 1895.
It will thus be seen that the trustees are now com-
pleting their third year of the rental of the entire
office portion of the building. The original plan pro-
vided ample sunlight and air for all the offices. The
interior finish, although not extravagant, is equal in
completeness to that of any other modern building
in the city. The demand for the offices has therefore
been good and the building is now practically filled, al-
though the rent roll has suffered the same diminution
which has come to all buildings of this class, owing
to the financial stringency since 1893.
An examination of the building, its arrangement
and equipment, will show that the plans of the building
committee have been well carried out, and that the gen-
ENTRANCE ASSOCIATION BUILDING
RESTAURANT, ASSOCIATION BUILDING
Buildings. 57
eral scheme and original object of the committee have
been fully vindicated. It may properly be said that the
enterprise is thus far complete in all details, with the
exception of that part which relates to the collection
of the necessary contributions. As time progressed,
certain additions to the building were found impera-
tive, and the original estimate of $400,000 in subscrip-
tions was found to be inadequate. Some long-time
loans are still carried; and, with the restoration of
better financial conditions, the building committee
hope that sufficient contributions can be secured to
complete this, the only unfinished portion of the work
as it was originally planned.
The entire work of furnishing the parlors and library
of the central department, and the offices of the gen-
eral board, was undertaken by a committee of ladies
who raised $6,000 and finished their work with great
taste. The association is much indebted to them for
their timely and efficient assistance.*
♦Notwithstanding the financial stringency, provision was
made by the committee to meet all bills when presented. A
synopsis of the receipts and expenditures will illustrate the near-
ness with which the committee have adhered to their financial
plan.
BUILDING FUND.
NEW CENTRAL BUILDING.
Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago.
Cost :
Purchase of La Salle street front (53x65) $270,160 00
Construction of building 959,484 00
Miscellaneous items, including interest on bonds
and cost of operation prior to final completion,
a period of two years 72,353 00
$1,301,997 00
$8 Buildings.
The organization of the association on the metro-
politan plan in 1888 unified and broadened the work,
and led its friends to plan for greater things. Not
only did the necessity of a new central building
become apparent, but also the need for buildings suit-
able for the special requirements of the work in vari-
ous parts of the city. The Fifty-fifth street railroad
department, now the Garfield boulevard railway
department, was the first to profit by these new plans.
The work at this point had been efficiently carried
on in rented rooms, which were entirely inadequate.
In 1889 the building now occupied by this department
was made possible by the gift by John V. Farwell, Jr.,
of the lot at the corner of Garfield and Tracy avenues,
and by the gift of one thousand dollars by Mr.
William Thaw, of Pittsburg, second vice-president of
the Pennsylvania railroad. This, the first building
erected after the reorganization, was dedicated on
October 6, 1889. The building cost ^7,000, of which
;?52,000 was raised by railway men and their friends
in the neighborhood.
The West side department rapidly developed from
its inception, soon outgrew its first quarters on West
Madison street near California avenue, and removed
to Paulina and Madison streets, where the physical
department became one of the permanent features of
Receipts :
From subscriptions $408,123 00
Sale of Madison street front and other property. 201,009 00
Sale of thirtj-year five per cent, gold bonds 584,616 00
Miscellaneous sources:
Ladies furnishing $ 6,292 00
Time loans ._ 94,932 00
Interest and small items 6,942 00 108,16600
$1,301,914 00
CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD BUILDING
GARFIELD BOULEVARD RAILROAD BUILDING
Buildings. 59
the work. While here located, with a rapidly-increas-
ing membership, the necessity of erecting a suitable
building was increasingly apparent. Just at this period
a providential opportunity to secure its present build-
ing was unexpectedly presented. The Holden build-
ing, then occupied by the LaSalle Club, at 542 West
Monroe street, was suggested as suitable in location
and equipment for the growing work of the depart-
ment. The main building, constructed of white
marble, occupies a lot one hundred and twenty-five by
one hundred and thirty-nine feet, and contains twenty-
four rooms, substantially finished and furnished. In
the rear an addition had been erected by the LaSalle
Club, forty-two by seventy-two feet, containing bowl-
ing alleys, bathrooms, an audience room, and an
additional hall admirably adapted for a gymnasium.
The club having expressed its purpose to vacate the
property, an option on the premises was secured at
^45,000. An additional sum of $5,000 was added to
this amount for necessary alterations and equipment.
The late Jacob Beidler, upon learning of the proposed
plan of purchase, immediately subscribed one-third of
the entire amount, being $16,666.67, provided the other
two-thirds of the total amount needed could be secured.
The canvass was undertaken in February, 1893, and
within forty-two days the balance was subscribed. In
this canvass several of the West side pastors, particu-
larly Rev. Dr. William M. Lawrence, rendered valuable
aid. This building has since furnished an admirable
home for the West side department, providing facili-
ties equal to those furnished by more costly buildings
erected especially for association use. The ground
occupied by the tennis courts, and other space about the
6o Buildings.
building, gives ample opportunity for enlargement and
the final erection of a new and adequate building as
the work shall demand added space and equipment.
Visitors to the building are uniformly impressed with
its homelike appearance and the excellent substitute
here made possible for worldly club life without its
frequent attendant demoralizing influences. A more
commodious building, suited to the growing needs of
the association, will provide a larger audience room,
which is greatly needed on the West side, a gymnasium
so placed as not to disturb other portions of the build-
ing, and equipment for evening educational work.
The Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company
was among the first of the railway corporations in the
West to show substantial interest in the association's
effort for railroad employees. The Kinzie street rail-
road department was the oldest of existing railroad
associations in Illinois. Its rooms at Canal and Kinzie
streets, occupied January i, 1882, were in the early
years suitably located and were frequented by a large
number of railroad employees. The company's yards,
however, were gradually transferred to distant points,
thus limiting the work at the old department to a few
of the passenger men. The largest center for associa-
tion effort on this line was found to be five miles west
of the passenger station, near the shops and yards at
West Fortieth street. At this point over eighteen hun-
dred employees center, including shop men, engine
and train men. In 1891 Mr. Marvin Hughitt, President
of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company,
made a proposition for the directors that the company
would appropriate ^15,000 for an association building
at that point, provided the men were sufficiently inter-
ested to contribute $5,000 toward its erection and
1^ m.H.^^_.vi^
DEARBORN STATION RAILROAD BUILDING, (Leased)
Buildings. 6i
equipment. Three of the directors made an additional
promise to purchase and donate as their personal sub-
scription a site for the building. These generous
offers created widespread interest among the railroad
men. Under the supervision of Mr. Robert Quayle,
superintendent of motive power and machinery, a can-
vass resulted in securing within thirty days $6,500 in
subscriptions from fifteen hundred and fifty men. The
railway company subsequently increased its subscrip-
tion to $18,000.
On a site seventy-five by one hundred and thirty-
five feet, valued at $2,800, a handsome two-story and
basement building was dedicated, October 28, 1897.
The equipment here provided is more complete than
in any railroad building west of Philadelphia. The
privileges include an attractive reception hall; parlor
and library, beautifully and fittingly furnished; desira-
ble reading room; recreation room for appropriate
games; barber shop; gymnasium; bowling alley; bi-
cycle storage; bathrooms; auditorium with seating
capacity for two hundred and fifty, and class rooms for
educational work.
The restaurant on the first floor, where lunches
and meals may be obtained at any hour of the day or
night, is especially appreciated by the men; while the
dormitory privileges, furnishing twenty beds, are all
in constant use. The architect of this building, Charles
S. Frost, has been most happy in the exterior design
and interior arrangement. The building particularly
appeals to the social natures of the men, as a home-
like, attractive and elevating place of resort.
The latest building development is at Elsdon, in
the midst of the Grand Trunk railway yards. Three
hundred men center at this point, most of whom are
62 Buildings.
away from home, sleeping in round-houses, cabooses,
and in cheap hotels. Through the generous offer of
the officials of the road and the personal interest of
General Manager Hays, the company has given a long
lease of land and contributed $3,500 for a building for
the association work at this point. Subscriptions to
the amount of $600 were secured from the men; a
pledge of $250 from the Chicago, New York and
Boston Refrigerator Company, and personal pledges
from friends have made possible the erection of a
building costing, with furnishings, about $6,000.
The usual equipment of a railroad department is
here found, with exceptional provisions for restaurant
and sleeping privileges. There is no point in the city
where the men are more appreciative of a building
than in this sparsely settled section, where by day and
night the men are at leisure waiting their return trips
to distant homes. The work here is almost exclusively
for trainmen in the freight department and for engi-
neers and firemen.
The value of the Englewood property is about
$20,000. It is subject to a mortgage of $10,000.
Centrally located on Stewart avenue, a few doors from
Sixty-third street, in the very heart of the business
center, the building is a natural and convenient resort
for young men.
This property, which had previously been held by a
separate corporation known as the Englewood Young
Men's Christian Association, was transferred to the
board of trustees of the Chicago association on Octo-
ber 15, 1897. The building was originally one of the
best residences of the vicinity. It is substantially
finished in hard woods, and suited especially for the
social features of the work. The renewed interest in
^^j;^^^^
GRAND TRUNK RAILROAD BUILDING, (Elsdon)
Buildings. 63
the association at Englewood has created a strong
demand for a suitable gymnasium. Plans are under
consideration to erect a temporary building for this
purpose on the rear of the property, or for sale of the
property entire and purchase of a suitable lot for the
erection of a modern association building.
The Chicago association, for what has been accom-
plished in securing a proper equipment for its great
work, is deeply indebted to many of its members and
friends, both past and present. Their splendid zeal
has conquered many incredible difficulties, not once,
but again and again. Through the entire history of
this building movement, their faith has not faltered
nor their generosity failed. No stronger testimony
than what they have done for the association could be
given to the value and efficiency of its work; nor
could there be a stronger testimony to the public
spirit and Christian purpose of those who have wrought
and given for its material equipment.
While the roll of names of those whose service and
generosity have contributed to the building movement
in Chicago is too long for insertion here, those who
are omitted will expect to see in this place the names
of Cyrus H. McCormick, John V. Farwell, Jr., James
L. Houghteling, and L. Wilbur Messer. They would
be the last to claim personal credit for having made the
central building possible at this time ; but, while with-
out the assistance of many others they could not
have succeeded, their names must be recorded here as
the leaders in this noble achievement. This greatest
of association buildings will remain a monument to
their indomitable courage and consecrated service.
The truth of history requires that this much be said
of the present leaders of the building movement in
64 Buildings.
Chicago. More need not be added, as the associa-
tion buildings have been erected solely for the glory
of God and the salvation of men. That they have
met this purpose is shown by the providence which
has ever been apparent in the Chicago building
movement.
WORLD-WIDE RELATIONS.
The Chicago association has never occupied a posi-
tion of isolation. We have seen how reports of "the
benign results achieved by the Young Men's Christian
Associations of other cities," borne in upon its foun-
ders, moved them to undertake its organization. It
does not require a close study of its first constitution
to see how fully they were informed of what had been
accomplished by the earlier associations. From that
day to this, the Chicago association has sustained
cordial relations with the entire brotherhood. That
these relations have been mutually helpful to both
the local association and the general movement, there
is abundant evidence. In the first place, the Chicago
association has constantly received during its entire
history, counsel, inspiration, and encouragement from
outside. The international and state committees
have stood ready at all times to render their valuable
aid. Mr. Robert Weidensall, senior field secretary
of the international committee, has since 1870 sus-
tained close relations with the association. It has
been his headquarters during all these years. From
here he has gone forth into his great field to promote
the association movement. The Chicago association
has long been upon Mr. Weidensall's heart. He has
ever cordially supported its secretaries and officers.
He has always stood for true association ideals, and
has persistently urged that the great aim of the asso-
65
66 World-Wide Relations.
ciation is the salvation of young men. He and Mr.
Hemingway together visited Mr. Houghteling and
secured his consent to become the president of the
association. Those responsible for its conduct have
always found Mr. Weidensall a safe counselor. He
justly says: "I have always given advice conscien-
tiously and without respect to persons, for the best
interests of the association, as I understood it." The
record of services rendered to the association by the
international committee, through Mr. Morse, Mr.
Weidensall and others of its secretaries, is too long
for insertion here. It must suffice to add that these
supervisory services have done much to contribute to
the successes of all these years.
The Chicago association has exerted no small in-
fluence upon the great religious movement, of which
from its organization it has been a conspicuous part.
Mr. Richard C. Morse, general secretary of the inter-
national committee, than whom no one may speak with
greater authority, writes:
"The helpful influence of the work of the Chicago
association has been felt in the international organ-
ization and work, both on this continent and abroad.
In the early conventions Mr. Moody, who was always
the leading delegate from Chicago, stood as the asso-
ciation in Chicago stood for evangelistic work exclu-
sively. The associations had need in all their early
history of emphasis upon this central activity of the
organization. Without the helpful influence of the
Chicago delegation and the Chicago association, in
putting emphasis, both in the convention and in the
local work, upon evangelistic effort, it is doubtful
whether the supremacy of the spiritual work of the
organization could have been so thoroughly maintained
SUPERVISORY AND EDUCATIONAL OFFICIALS
C. K. Ober
I. E. Brown
John W. Hansel
Frank W. Ober
Richard C. Morse
Robert Weidensall
World-Wide Relations. 67
in the historical development of the entire association
movement.
"Much of this influence was due to the personal
agency of Mr. Moody. This was especially manifest
when we consider what influence the Chicago associa-
tion has exerted upon the association movement
abroad. That influence has been almost exclusively
exerted through the personal agency of Mr. Moody.
It has been an influence of benediction upon the work
in Great Britain, and his oft-repeated testimony that
he owes more to the Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion and to the Chicago Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation than any other one human agency, has exerted
an untold influence in commending the organization
where no other human voice could commend it to
approval, support, and extension. In giving Mr.
Moody to the association movement the Chicago
association gave a world-wide influence, exerted in
laying emphasis upon the central and controlling spir-
itual purpose of the brotherhood.
"In later years, as the Chicago association has
rounded out its activity, extending it to all the depart-
ments of the association work, social, intellectual, and
physical, as well as spiritual, its example and influence
have been felt most helpfully throughout all that
wide territory where the influence of Chicago is more
strongly felt than that of any other city. Those iden-
tified with the international work, on both sides of the
Atlantic, have keenly realized this. And the manner
in which this development has been accomplished has
been almost ideally perfect. The process of this de-
velopment was initiated, and has been presided over,
by the lay element in the association through the wise
assumption or undertaking of leadership by leading
vc_
e 1
n also
i^cn has
' SDCBt
1 : r : : -o as the
- -: :: : i:!?ed the
D associs:
eofganiz
" -1 2 first
- -. H.
Cole.
At die tliir ja
1875, it ^ ' : a
Id. T
Chi-
The
->fy, i!..fiaffBc:» ed in
IpHX E- RkoI'ES
^. J. Prindle
B- L, PREXTI55
PRESEXT ADVISORY MANAGERS
F^vxK J. ^xiTH Geo- I^Ej^r
R. T. .
World-Wide Relations. 69
service but a single year, from November i, 1876, to
November i, 1877. When, however, in 1879, at the
Decatur convention it was proposed again to put a
state secretary into the field, the movement was urged
by the Chicago representatives, and in the following
convention one half of the financial burden of the state
work was assumed by the Chicago association.
"In its beginnings the present representative paper
of our associations was simply a bulletin of the Chicago
association, which was begun in November, 1874.
After a year or two of publication the name was
changed to the Watchman, and the paper came to be,
not a mere representative of the Chicago association,
but an individual enterprise, the aim of which was to
reach the associations of the country and world. The
support which has been given in recent years to this
paper by friends in Chicago is well known. It is an
open secret that the paper under whatever name, the
Watchman, the Young Men's Era or Men, could not
have existed had it not been for the interest of asso-
ciation friends in this city.
"In the beginning of the secretarial institute at
Lake Geneva, the Chicago association did not have so
large a part. The men who are perhaps more respon-
sible than any others for the establishment of this
educational institution were W. E. Lewis, state secre-
tary of Wisconsin, and Robert Weidensall of the inter-
national force. Chicago men, however, were identified
with the movement from the start. The first com-
mittee appointed consisted of W. E. Lewis, C. G.
Baldwin and I. E. Brown. During Mr. Brown's
absence on account of sickness, Mr. George T.
Howser of the Chicago association, acted as his sub-
stitute. Members of the Chicago association have
70 World-Wide Relations.
been represented upon the directorate ever since the
incorporation of the institute in August, 1886.
''In the founding of the Chicago training school for
secretaries, the Chicago association was perhaps the
largest factor. Late in the month of March, 1890,
there came into the mind of one of the officers of the
institute the idea that large facilities for practical
training were close at hand in the association circles of
Chicago. At that time the classrooms of the central
department were available during the hours of the
day. There were experienced association men to give
instruction, and the different departments of the city-
furnished an almost unrivaled field for observation.
On April 3d of that year a conference was held, at
which there were present L. W. Messer, H. F. Wil-
liams, Daniel Sloan, E. L. Hayford, L. B. Smith and
I. E. Brown. At this meeting the general plans of
organizing a training school were approved, and steps
taken looking to the formation of classes. Of the
six men in the first meeting, four were directly con-
nected with the Chicago association. Ever s.nce that
time the Chicago association has assisted in the im-
portant work of the training school through the use
of its unrivaled facilities, through the help given by
its secretaries in instruction, and through the oppor-
tunities given for observation and practical work on
the part of the students.
"Set as it is in the heart of the continent, and so
situated that the tide of travel east and west passes
naturally through it, the Chicago association is, from
its very position, destined to exert a continually in-
creasing influence on the association work, which has
now become world-wide. It is a striking fact that
many of the foreign secretaries of the international
PRINCIPAL PAID OFFICERS
ViLLiAM J. Parker L. B. Moore L. Wilbur Messer James F. Gates George W. Ehler
Iarry D. Abells John W.Adams Walter T. Hart C. H. Moormax P.C.Atkinson
ViLLiAM Cook O. A. Young Walter M. Wood A. B. Wegener
J. W. Shaw Arthur B. Dale
World-Wide Relations. 71
committee have one time or another had their homes
here. White of India, Hieb of Ceylon, Lyon of
China, and Smith of India have all had their homes
here for a longer or shorter period, while John R.
Mott, who in these days belongs to the world, at
present holds his membership in one of our suburban
churches. Here are centered a group of widespread
association influences. Here are the headquarters of
the Western educational work, of the Illinois state
work, of the association paper; also the Western
office of the international committee, which includes
in its force at this point the secretary who has charge
of the city association work in foreign lands."
The Chicago association has, since the development
of the association work in missionary lands, substan-
tially aided this movement . It has especially assisted
in the work in Japan and China. Some of its mem-
bers have largely participated in the support of the
efficient world-wide supervision which has marked the
work in recent years.
It thus appears that the Chicago association is more
than a local institution. It has world-wide relations
and opportunities. It occupies a conspicuous and
responsible place in what has been justly called the
greatest religious movement of this century. The
Young Men's Christian Association has reached,
within but little more than a half-century, a position
of commanding influence wherever Christian men seek
to extend the kingdom of God. The associations, to
promote a common purpose, have united by voluntary
action into state, international and world federations.
Thus has been attained a universal brotherhood of
Christian men. It is the great privilege and high
responsibility of the Chicago association to occupy a
72 World-Wide Relations.
strategic point in the association world. If it but
meets the opportunities which lie before it, the re-
cently expressed hope of Mr. Moody "that the great-
est work and the greatest successes of the association
are yet before it," cannot fail of realization.
PRESENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
N. S. BouTON Cyrus H. McCormick
James L. Houghteling Albert L. Coe
N. W. Harris W. I. Midler
C. C. KOHLSAAT
A. G. Lane
E. G. Keith
George M. High
John V. Farwell, Jr.
THE OUTLOOK.
The Chicago association has now for forty years
held its place in this community. Its history has been
an eventful one. It has passed through years of trial,
and overcome what sometimes seemed to be insur-
mountable obstacles. From its failures, as well as its
successes, has come knowledge. From its trials and
its achievements has come inspiration. From its entire
experience has come practical wisdom for its great
task. The period of experiment has passed. The
association has acquired the elements of permanence
and power. In its membership are enrolled over six
thousand of the young men of Chicago. Its officers,
trustees, managers and committeemen are representa-
tive and faithful men. Its material equipment is ex-
tensive and, so far as it goes, adequate for many years
to come. Its work and methods are approved by the
best association sentiment of the world. It is conse-
crated to a great purpose. While no one can prophesy
the future of an organization thus tested and equip-
ped, or measure its influence for good, it is possible
to gain some idea of its present opportunities and
needs.
The field for the activities of the association is a con-
stantly extending one. Its opportunities increase with
the growth of the city. Each year sees an increase in
the numbers of young men who come to Chicago as
strangers for temporary or permanent residence. The
73
74 The Outlook.
temptations and perils of city life are constant. They
endanger the lives and test the characters of resi-
dent young men, as well as those who are strangers to
city life. In its broad work of prevention, rescue and
symmetrical education; in its noble purpose to de-
velop the body, train the mind and quicken the spirit;
in its ability to meet the needs of all classes of young
men, and the varied requirements of individuals, the
association has demonstrated its right to be and the
imperative need for its extension. Those who direct
its activities cannot remain satisfied with its past suc-
cesses. They must lead onward to new achievements.
They must reap the harvest which is now ready for
the sickle. They must act where delay would mean
serious loss. While it is impracticable at once to pro-
vide for every need, and thus meet every opportunity,
it is well at this auspicious moment to take some
account of what are the present opportunities and
needs of the association.
New Buildings. — -New buildings are needed for some
of the existing departments, and at new points. The
Englewood building is inadequate for the work in that
important section of the city. The Hyde Park depart-
ment is in rented quarters. It needs a commodious
modern building to provide for the residence class of
men and boys, and for the growing numbers of tran-
sients in its vicinity. The North side needs a new
department and first-class building, for a work similar
to that now done on the West side.
Railroad Departments. — The success of the four exist-
ing railroad departments, and the appreciation of their
work by railroad men and the officials of the roads
which they serve, make it important that such efforts
be promptly repeated at no less than six other points
I PRESENT BOARD OF MANAGERS
IfrTnc's VV Pa^'kL C.M.Higginson Hexrv M. Hubbard A. B. Mead Edw,. Burritt Smith
Russell ( o™ ^ 1°"'' ' l'"^'' °- '^'- ^^"^'^ ^^'- "' «°^c°^'« N. S. Davis. Jr.
ufHUH D Whhh; ^r' i H^T-rR -™""' "• ^- S^^-*-^^^- J^"'^ V- HARWELL. Jr.
I W Hare John f. Richards A.E.Wells John C. Grant
W. I. Midler
The Outlook. 75
in this vicinity. Definite encouragement from several
railroad corporations has been received. Chicago is
the greatest railroad center in the country. The
opportunities for this branch of the work are great, and
must be more fully improved.
The bitercollegiate Department. — Chicago has become
a great educational center. It is especially rich in
professional schools. Few realize that more profes-
sional students now study here than in any other
American city. Many of these are strangers, and re-
main only while prosecuting their professional studies.
When the select and representative character of these
men is considered, the importance of a strong associa-
tion work for them will be conceded. The association
should have at least two students' dormitory buildings,
costing about $50,000 each. They could be almost
immediately filled, and would be self-sustaining if
completely equipped. Such an investment would yield
large returns in molding the character of those who
are to be leaders of men in many communities.
Lodging Homes. — There are many young men who
have employment, but at very low wages. Many of
these have but recently arrived in the city, and have
begun at the foot of the ladder. A Christian home
should be provided for them, where they can have
rooms and meals at actual cost. This would surround
them with Christian influences during their first
months in a strange city. This is the danger period
for such men, and every effort should be made to
surround them with right influences. Their surround-
ings at this time will determine the future of many
of them. To meet this need the association must
rely upon philanthropists who will provide a building
to be operated under its auspices, similar in construe-
76 The Outlook.
tion and appliances, though perhaps much more modest
in scale, to the Mills Hotel of New York. Such a
building and equipment, if given to the association,
would no doubt be self-supporting. It would save
many young men from evil influences.
Rescue Departmeiit. — There is still another class of
young men whose needs are even greater. They are
without employment, and eke out a precarious exist-
ence. Many of them are given to vicious and even
criminal practices. At present the association is not
provided with facilities to meet the needs of this class.
A building should be located at one of the most con-
gested points on the West side for this purpose. The
investment of ^100,000 will provide adequate equip-
ment. Provision should be made for cheap sleeping
and restaurant privileges and for an employment
bureau. There should also be provision made for
every form of practical ministry to the outcast and
forlorn. Such an equipment would be of untold value
to this class of young men.
Endowinents. — Public institutions which are largely
dependent for support on annual subscriptions from
public-spirited citizens are always hampered in meet-
ing their opportunities. All the most successful in-
stitutions for higher education are endowed. The
great universities are made strong by their princely
endowments. It is only by great equipments and
independent incomes that they can supply the facilities
which are required by their students. Few indeed
could acquire a university training, if obliged to pay
but its actual cost. Our universities are endowed
because of their public character and the recognized
value of their work to the community at large. Sim-
ilar considerations should lead to the proper endow-
CYRUS H. Mccormick
The Outlook. 77
ment of the Young Men's Christian Association.
It is essentially an educational institution. In its
service to individuals it renders the most important
service to society. It provides at nominal fees excep-
tional facilities for the spiritual, mental, social and
physical training of young men. While many members
continue in the association year after year, by constant
changes in its membership it reaches directly very
large numbers of young men. Its members are no
more pauperized by receiving its privileges at less
than cost than are the students of a university whose
tuition fees pay but a small part of the cost of their
education. It makes no appeal for charity, but for
an endowment adequate to meet its needs as one of
the great public institutions of the city.
The pressing needs of the Chicago association, in
addition to those heretofore enumerated, as seen by
those who are conversant with its work, are the fol-
lowing:
1. An annual income of ^4,000 for association col-
lege, to provide additional teachers and equipment.
2. A like annual income for the physical section, to
improve its equipment and add to its teaching force.
3. At least a like income for the spiritual sec-
tion, to be expended upon religious services and for
books and printed matter.
4. An annual income of at least g 10,000 for the
work of the board of managers. The membership fees
cannot be applied to meet the expenses of superin-
tendence and extension. These expenses are now
met entirely by annual contributions. In view of the
importance and extent of the functions of this board,
it will be seen how directly it would strengthen the
78 The Outlook.
entire work to have its support made adequate and
certain.
These sums should be provided from the income of
invested funds. The regular work of the association,
as now conducted, requires the annual expenditure of
$100,000. Yet it has but one invested fund, the Rey-
nolds, of $50,000, the income from which is used for
missionary work among young men.
The bonded indebtedness of the association should
be reduced by subscriptions for that purpose. A re-
duction of fixed charges will enable the trustees more
rapidly to retire the remaining indebtedness on the
central building, and release income for the support
and extension of the regular work of the association.
Not until the central building is free from debt can
the association realize its full value to the work.
The Chicago association, as we have seen, has not
lived to itself alone. Its opportunities are by no
means confined to the city which it serves. A present
tendency in the association movement is its rapid
extension in missionary lands. The opportunity for
co-operation in Christian work which it presents, its
practical facilities and tested methods, are found
admirably suited to the needs of mission fields. May
not Chicago establish and support the association in
some one great city of China?
The needs here indicated mark the splendid oppor-
tunities of the Chicago association on its fortieth
anniversary. Opportunities so important and so in-
spiring have come to the association because it has
kept the faith of its earlier years. The builders of
Chicago feel that they are citizens of no mean city.
Measured by its material achievements, its institutions
of learning, its temples of art, its altars of religion —
L. WILBUR MESSER
The Outlook. 79
by all that makes for progress and righteousness — Chi-
cago is already an imperial city. Among the power-
ful forces that through all these years have contrib-
uted to ground its higher life on sound Christian
principles, none has done more than the Young Men's
Christian Association. Among the constant influences
that tend to make those who are to shape and control
the future of Chicago men of high Christian character
and purpose, none promises more than the established
and tried institution having its center in the noble
building which stands at the heart of the city to min-
ister to its young men. That building, and the great
work done through it, bear concrete testimony to the
faith of the men who have made Chicago known
around the world. Their loyal support of the associ-
ation through all these years bears like testimony to
their belief in Christian character and their desire to
perpetuate it in those who are to come after them.
The Chicago association has not wrought by chance;
nor is its present commanding position in the forefront
of the moral forces of Chicago due to accident. The
presence of God has been manifest through all its his-
tory. He seems to have said to it: "Every place
that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have
I given unto you. * * * I have given into thine
hand Jericho." It is impossible that an association of
young men having the inspiration of such an history,
an experience so practical, a position so commanding,
a purpose so exalted, can fail. Thankful for its past,
doubly thankful for the opportunities of its present,
it enters upon the larger work which God has commit-
ted to its hands.
APPENDIX.
PRESIDENTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Cyrus Bentley, . . . . . 1858-1859
John V. Farwell, ----- 1859-1861
J. H. Hollister, - . . - - 1861-1862
B. F. Jacobs, ------ 1862-1863
E. S. Wells, ------ 1863-1864
H. W. Fuller, ----- 1864-1865
D. L. Moody, - • - . - - 1865-1869
C. M, Henderson, ----- 1869-1871
T. W. Harvey, ------ 1871-1873
N. S. BouTON, ----- 1873-1874
John V. Farwell, ----- 1874-1876
T. W. Harvey,' ----- 1876-1878
E. G. Keith, 2 -.--,. 1878-1881
James L. Houghteling, - - . - 1881-1884
John V. Farwell, Jr., ----- 1884-1894
Henry M. Hubbard, . - . . 1895
> Mr. Harvey resigned his office in June, 1879, and Mr. Keith was selected to fill
out the unexpired term.
^ Mr. Keith resigned in June, 1881, and the vacancy was not filled until the regular
election took place.
SECRETARIES OF THE ASSOCIATION.
F. M. Rockwell, - - . - - 1866-1872
W. W. Vanarsdale, ----- 1872-1878
A. T. Hemingway, 2 - . - - . 1878-1888
L. Wilbur Messer, ----- 1888
' In the early years the Association employed Librarians and Agents. Both Mr.
Moody and Mr. F. H. Revell served in the^e capacities.
' There was an interregnum in Mr. Hemingway's service in 1885.
83
/
POPULATION OF CHICAGO.
1850 28,269
1858 (Estimated) — 90,000
i860 109,206
1870 306.605
1880 503.298
1890 -- - 1,098,576
1898 (Estimated) 1,850,000
ASSOCIATION PROPERTY.
Central Building $1,700,000
West Side Building--- 75. 000
Englewood Building 20,000
Garfield Boulevard Building 10,000
Chicago and Northwestern Building 27,000
Elsdon Building 6,000
Personal Property - 25,000
$1,863,000
INCUMBRANCES.
Central Building $631,000
West Side Building 6,000
Englewood Building 10,000
Garfield Boulevard Building 1,000
$ 648.000
Net Value 1,215,000
$1,863,000
84
INDEX.
INDEX.
Active membership, iS; Army committee, 22; Association build-
ing. 53. 54. 55, 56, 57, 58; Association College, 42, 77; Asso-
ciate members, 18; Association paper, 69; Auxiliary mem-
bership, 18, 23; Aldis, Owen F., 54; Armour, George, 17;
Avery, T. M., 17.
Board of Managers, 38, 77; Board of Trustees, 17, 38; Babcock,
J. J., 17; Baldwin, C. G., 69; Barnes, Henry E., 28; Beidler,
Jacob, 59; Bentley, Cyrus, 11, 16, 17, 19, 26, 27; Blair, William,
17; Bliss, P. P., 28; Bond, L. L., 16; Bouton, N. S., 16, 54;
Blatchford, E. W., 17; Boyd, Robert, 17; Boyington, W. W.,
17; Brown, I. E., 68, 69, 70.
Central department, 37, 39; Charter, 17; Chicago fire of 1871, 49;
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Department, 39, 40, 60;
Constitution, 17, 18, 23, 31, 38, 39; Cheney, Bishop Charles E.,
15, 26, 49; Coe, Albert L., 16, 54; Cole, J. H., 28, 68; Cook,
William, 45; Covell, Charles, 24; Crerar, John, 52,55; Cur-
tiss, Jacob S., 28.
Dearborn Station R. R. D., 40; Definite work, 31, 36, 37, 41;
Dean, John W., 28; Dickey, Hugh T., 17.
Early buildings, 23, 24, 32; Early records, 14; Early work, 20, 21,
24,37; Educational work, 42, 43; Elsdon department, 40, 61 ;
Endowments, 76; Englewood department, 40, 62,74; Evan-
gelical test, i7;Eddy, T. M., 17, 23;Ehler, George W., 44;
Evarts, Dr., 15, 23, 26; Ensign, E.G., 32, 49.
Farwell Hall,47, 50, 51 ; First building, 47; First rooms, 16, 21,47;
Four-fold work, 41 ; Farwell, John V., 16, 17, 22, 26, 27, 47, 49,
68; Farwell, John V. Jr., 29, 54, 58, 63; Fisk, Franklin W., 23;
French, Henry, 28; Frost, Charles S., 61.
Garfield Boulevard department, 39, 58; Grant, W. C, 16.
Hyde Park department, 40, 74; Haney, Isaac, 28; Hart, Walter T.,
45; Hays, Charles M., 62; Hayford, E. L., 70; Hemingway, A.
T., 34, 66; Hieb, Louis, 71; Hinsdale, Henry W., 17; Hitch-
cock, J. M., 49, 68; Holbrook, William, 28; Hollister, J. H., 15,
24, 25, 27; Hughitt, Marvin, 60; Humphrey, Dr., 15, 26; Hurl-
but, H. A., 17; Houghteling, James L., 29,54,63,66; Howser,
George T., 45, 69; Hoyt, Deacon, 27; Hubbard, Henry M., 54.
87
88 Index.
Inaugural address, President Bentley, ii, i6; Intercollegiate de-
partment, 40, 75; Isham, I. N., 16.
Jacobs, B. F., 16, 17, 24, 26, 27, 47, 49, 68; Jenney & Mundie, 54.
Keith, E. G., 54; King, Tuthill, 17.
Life members, 18; Lodging homes, 75; Lawrence, William M.,
59; Lee, William L., 17; Leiter, L. Z., 16; Lewis, W. E., 69;
Lunt, Orrington, 16, 17; Lyon, Willard, 71.
Membership, 17,37,39,73; Metropolitan plan, 20, 35, 37, 38, 58;
McCagg, E. B., 17; McCormick, Cyrus H., Sr., 17; McCormick,
Cyrus H., 29, 54, 63; Mitchell, John J., 54; Messer, L. Wilbur,
37» 63, 70; Moody, D. L., 16, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33, 47, 49, 66, 67, 72;
Moore, S. M., 54; Morse, Richard C, 66; Morton, Charles M.,
68; Mott,JohnR., 71; Mowry, Henry C, 28; Myers, Philip, 68.
Noon prayer-meeting, 25, 48; New buildings, 74.
Object of association, 12, 16, 39; Oates, James F., 45.
Physical section, 43, 44, 77; Page, Peter, 17; Patton, W. W., 27;
Patterson, Robert, 23, 49; Perkins, David W., 28; Pratt, Dr.,
23-
Quayle, Robert, 61.
Railroad departments, 37, 74; Ravenswood department, 40; Res-
cue department, 76; Rand, William H., 16; Ransom, Porter,
28; Revell, Fleming H., 34, 68; Rockwell, F. M., 27, 34.
Second building, 49; Secretarial institute, 69; Social section, 43;
Spiritual section, 77; Sankey, Ira D., 28; Sargent, H. E., 17;
Scranton, A. R., 17; Sexton, James, 28; Sloan, Daniel, 45, 70;
Smith, Byron L., 54; Smith, George B., 71 ; Smith, L. B., 70;
Spafford, H, G., 68; Swazy, A., 23; Sweet, E. D, L., 17.
Third building, 50; Training school, 70; Thaw, William, 58;
Townsend, George B., 45.
United States Christian Commission, 23; Underwood, P. L., 16,
24, 26, 28, 47; Vanarsdale, W. W., 34.
War committee, 22, 28; West side department, 40, 58, 59; Wads-
worth, E. S., 17; Weidensall, Robert, 65, 66, 68, 69; Wells, E.
S., 26, 47; Willard, Frances, 28; Williams, George, 12; Will-
iams, H. F., 70; Willing, H. J., 16; White, W.W., 71; Whittle,
D, W., 24, 27, 49; Wood, Walter M., 43.
PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY
AND SONS COMPANY AT THE
LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
267.397731 SM55H C001
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE YOUNG MEN'S CHR
3 0112 025275972
^^
'PLfi
T^'rii.-' '
*„je
'Sl^sSd
Wi^M'-:^%^^^^^^M
