YMCA - MADISON, NJ HISTORICAL SKETCH BV 1090 .H64 1908 Holden, Edward P. Young Men's Christian Association, Madison, New ID re -Af ^^ V\fi. o ^. • 5e m . Young Men's Christian Association Madison, New Jersey Organized June 2, 1 873 Historical Sketch ^v 0F>Ri>7ce^ MAY ! ' 2m if\€^Tof. "-■^ *^ PRINCETON, N. J. % % Presented byX) X's>A 2i\aedicated April 5, 1908 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: President, James H. McGraw. Vice-President, Rev. Charles F. Sitterly. D.D. Secretary, Charles G. Davis. Treasurer, Harold S. Buttenheim. James A. Webb. William P. Tuttle. W. R. Baker. James H. Baker. Edward P. Holden. Fred A. Miller. S. B. Feniss. J. L. Paulmier. E. D. Conklin. W. O. Stoddard, Jr. •• J. Dickinson Condict. General Secretary, Melvin Jackson. Assistant Secretary, David B. Collard, Jr. Physical Director, Stacy B. Betzler. BUILDING COMMITTEE James A. Webb, Chairman James H. Baker, E. P. Holden, ••J. D. Condict, Charles A. Rathbun, Stark B. Ferriss, Rev. Chas. F. Sitterly, D.D. Dr. I. N. Van De Water James H. McGraw, Melvin Jackson. *Deceased Prepared by Edward P. Holden at the request of the Board of 'Directors. f^HE beginning of the Association was in the Spring ., _^ of 1 873, when some of the Christian citizens of the community felt the need of organized spiritual work for young men. Among these were Eder E. Haughwout, James A. Webb, J. M. Nixon, H. A. Nixon. William P. Tuttle and James Boyd, with whom the Pastors of the churches co-operated most earnestly. The result of this movement was a call for a meeting held at the residence of James A. Webb, on the evening of June 2, 1873. The call was signed by Rev. Robert Aikman, D.D., of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Thomas H. Landon, Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At this conference there were present Dr. Aikman, James A. Webb, Jeremiah Baker, John Sealy, William Compton, Eder E. Haughwout William P. Tuttle, Henry A. Nixon, J. M. Nixon, Henry C. Ohlen, Lewis T. Janes and William T. Sealy. Richard C Morse, Secretary of the International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations, was also present and assisted in the work of organization. At this meeting a committee of organization was appointed who, a week later, recommended a constitution in the main that of the International Committee, which was adopted. At this second meeting on June 9, there were present, in addition to those already mentioned, Nathaniel Niles, James Boyd, W. F. Morrow, E. P. Burroughs, Judge Hancock, M. B. Monroe, James Shier, James C. Holden. An enrollment of members followed and twenty- nine men signed the Constitution. On July 14, the following directors of the Association were elected : Eder E. Haughwout, James Boyd, James A. Webb, Nathaniel Niles, John M. Nixon, William P. Tuttle, W. T. Sealy, Charles L. Chovey, W. F. Morrow, Henry E. Reddish and Horace Holden. An election of officers was held on July 18, and Eder E. Haughwout was chosen President. His experi- ence in Association work in New York City, his genial temper, warm heart and devotedness to the Master, eminently qualified him for the position. His associates were W. F. Morrow, Vice-President ; W. T. Sealy, Corresponding Secretary; J. M. Nixon, Recording Secretary, and W. P. Tuttle, Treasurer. A large and enthusiastic public meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church July 25, at which the money needed to equip the rooms was promptly subscribed, and on October 1 3, the Association formally entered upon its work in its own rooms. These were in the building known as Oriental Hall, on the site now occupied by the Neill Building. The Association occu- pied the second floor as the reading room, which was commodious and well furnished. The third floor was used as an audience room, holding two hundred and fifty persons. These rooms were occupied until the night of Sunday, October 21, 1877, when they were totally destroyed by a fire which levelled three other buildings, including the railroad depot, and threatened the entire business portion of the town. Nothing was saved from the building. The insurance was fortunately sufficient to equip new rooms. Before eight o'clock the following morning, Lyric Hall in the Brittin Building had been rented, and in the evening the reading room was open as usual. Mr. Haughwout served the Association as President for one year when a change of residence compelled his resignation. His interest in God's work was, however, unabated, and when the news of his death reached us, all who had known him felt a sense of personal loss, but rejoiced that he died as he had lived, in active service. Mr. Haughwout was succeed by James A. Webb, who acted for five years, or until November 1 7, 1879, when Edward P. Holden was elected in his stead. James H. McGraw was elected President Septem- ber 23, 1901. \V. F. Morrow was succeeded as Vice-Pressdent by: James Boyd, Wiley J. Canfield, Charles L. Chovey, Nathaniel Niles, Edward P. Holden, J. M. Young, J. Walter Lowrie, Herbert K. Saxe, W. L. Tennyson, I. N. Van De Water, Nathaniel Walling Clark, Charles F. Sitterly, James H. Baker, Jr. The following have served as Secretaries succeeding Mr. Nixon: Horace Holden, Charles A. Rathbun, Charles G. Davis, James H. Baker, Jr., Joseph N. Tuttle, Herbert K. Saxe, C. W. Scarborough, M. D. Seven Treasurers have served the Association : Wm. P. Tuttle, Charles A. Rathbun, W. F. Morrow, James H. McGraw, Charles G. Davis, S. B. Ferriss, H. S. Buttenheim. In addition to those already mentioned, the following have been Directors : William A. Compton, Henry C. Ohlen, Edward L. Cook, H. C. Condit, E. P. Selmser, John R. Goble, Bishop John F. Hurst, F. L. Neeld, Henry A. Nixon, W. I. Haven. Henry 1. Brittin, J. S. Wadsworth, D. J. Duncan, Wm. H. Bradshaw, W. F. Switzer, M. L. Fisher, Lewis R. Pomeroy, W. D. Bagshaw, James S. Stearns, I.N. Van De Water, D.D.S., Stuart H. Reed, M. D., Fred A. Miller, E. C. Markham. William B. Weir, J. Dickinson Condict, J. Lovel Paulmier, Edmund D. Conklin, William O. Stoddard, Jr. The Association from the beginning became a centre of Christian activity whose reflex influence was felt in all the churches, which were drawn together in bonds of Christian unity such as had never before been experienced. The cordial fellowship and hearty co-operation of the faculty and members of Drew Seminary has always been most helpful. The reading room was well attended, although the six thousand visitors of that period seem a small number in comparison with the eighteen thousand per annum of the present time. The influence of the religious work, conducted by a committee in charge of James Boyd, soon made itself felt, and in the Fall of 1875, one of the most wide- spread revivals which has ever visited the community occurred. Without the aid of an evangelist, the work began with the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in answer to united prayer. During this period, not only was the audience room filled, but the adjoining depot was frequently crowded also with interested audiences. At this time, many of those who are the workers in our churches to-day made confession of Christ and look back upon the old rooms as a veritable Bethel. From that time forward, though in varying degrees, the religious impress of the Association has been felt in this community. Year by year souls have been added to the churches, who remember the Association as their spiritual birthplace, while others have there felt the influences which led them to active service. In the early days, besides the religious services in the rooms, in common with other associations, much outside missionary work was done, but, with the develop- ment of the work, our methods, as well as theirs, have changed. The past thirty-five years have worked a practical revolution in the conduct of associations through- out the world. At that time, their work was more diffusive. To-day, it is specific. Then, all classes of the community were sought after ; to-day, its work is for the young men alone. At that time, less than one-sixth of the present number of general secretaries were employed in the United States, and not until eight years after our organization, was there a general secretary in the State of New Jersey. Within this period, the building era has arisen, definite work in the line of Bible study, workers' training classes, evangelistic Bible classes, work among the boys, railroad men, soldiers and sailors, the work in colleges has also shown great develop- ment during this period. To the spirit of these changes wc have responded, and the Association of Madison conducts, to-day, specific work for young men and boys only. In the early days, the larger part of the Association's work was conducted outside of its rooms. To-day all its work is carried on within its building. During its thirty-five years of life, the Association has not always sailed over calm seas with favoring winds, but has had its share of storm and danger. Happily the rocks upon which other associations have been wrecked have been avoided, and to-day we move upon an open sea of prosperity in the sunshine of God's loving approval. Of the thirty or more associations in New Jersey existing at the time of our organization, two only of the original bodies remain, though many new ones have been planted upon the graves of the old. We have ever maintained that when the Associa- tion was doing its legitimate work, (the salvation of young men) abundant means would be afforded it for the carrying on of that work. Our experience has justified this assertion. A low spiritual condition of the Association and an empty treasury have always been co-incident. The first General Secretary, M. J. Trenery, took office March 1 , 1 895, and continued until July 1 , 1 898. His coming inaugurated a new era in the life of the Association. Organized work for the boys was begun and physical culture classes organized. W. H. McBee succeeded him December, 1898, holding office until January, 1902. J. H. Sawyer served as Secretary from March to June, 1902. E. G. Randall assumed office September, 1902, resigning in December, 1905. His successor was Melvin Jackson, who began his work in October, 1 906. We record v^th pleasure our appre- ciation of the valuable and efficient services rendered by Mr. Jackson during the construction of this building. Ten years ago the Women's Auxiliary was organ- ized and has proved a most worthy helpmate to the Association. Their relation to the boys' work and the social side has been most helpful, while their financial aid has been generous and kindly. August 26, 1897, the Board of Directors author- ized the purchase of the property on which our building is erected. In the Fall of 1 903, the building canvas was begun, but many complications delayed its progress. The inspiration of the present building wave throughout the country has aided in bringing to fruition the hopes of many years and Madison contributes her share to the three-quarters of a million dollars pledged or paid for Association buildings in New Jersey this year. The present membership of the Association, men 1 04, boys 59, sustaining 36. Of the men 74 are active members. The Board of Directors take pleasure in acknowl- edging the faithful and satisfactory services of the follow- ing gentlemen and firms in the construction of this building. H. KING CONKLIN, Madison, N. J. Architect. Stull and Philhower, Madison, N. J., . Carpenters. J, V. Corbett, " " . . Mason. Charles C. Force & Son, " '* Iron and Steam Heat. Would Brothers, Madison, N. J., . Plumbers. Mackenzie & Erb, " " . . Painters. E. P. Felch, " " . . Electrician. H. H. Driggs, New York, . . Tile and Marble. Star Roofing Co., New York, . . . Roofs. Rice Wray Co., New York, . . Screens. J. Bleeker, New York, . . Copper. FURNISHINGS Naragansett Machine Co., New York. Brunswick, Balke, Collender Co., New York. Arnold, Constable Co., New York. W. & J. Sloane, New York. John Wanamaker, New York. E. P. Burroughs & Son, Madison, N. J. Hale Desk Co., New York. Mosler Safe Co., New York. Sanford, Bell, Lahn, New York. Browe Company, Newark, N. J. ^^^^.o.s°-*oc.„^^^ MADISON, NEW JERSEY