As thus intimated, the educational department of this organization is dealing with special conditions as to time, men, facilities and purposes, and cannot therefore follow any other institution or class of institutions. Its plans are based on an intelligent study of local conditions as well as national; its methods and its scope of studies are the result of careful examination of the local needs. Here is the strength of this organization-the prominence of the individual association and the closeness of the state and international bonds. Each city or town, while primarily organizing educational features for its own people, has the advantage of the wider view and careful supervision of its state and international committees-none of them bound by any preconceived notions of "the best methods," and all determined to reach one end-the best training of the great company of young men who cannot have the advantage of higher education as a preparation for their daily occupation. Without having formulated such a statement of principles, yet with fairly defined ideas, a few associations began this work nearly forty years ago. In 1866 four associations were reported as doing educational class work. Each year were added new classes and new associations until 1893, when 250 associations were doing more or less creditable work. At that time, so clearly was the need defined, that an international secretary was appointed to cultivate and direct. In 1901 there are 325 associations, conducting from 2 to 40 classes each. The number of students in these classes varies from 50 to 1,100; the larger cities enrolling from 800 to 1,100 each, while a large number of even the smaller cities enroll as many as 500 men.

The association has been the pioneer in evening school educational work. The first free-hand drawing in American evening schools, so far as can be learned, was started in the Young Men's Christian Associatian. This led to the introduction of industrial, mechanical and architectural drawing, the public and other private schools following the example. In a few cities the association has been the forerunner of manual training. It has been stated by the Boards of Education in two such cities at least, that had it not been for the work of the association in these directions manual training could not have been introduced into their public schools. As industry and manufacture have devel

oped and specialized, educational matters have kept pace. What is needed to-day is not more men, but better trained men. Το meet this need the Young Men's Christian Association has carefully planned its work from year to year. Originally looked upon by many as a "fad," it is now recognized as a wellgrounded department. Successful and conservative business men, looking into its methods, have been so impressed with its practical character that they have given large sums of money for its development and endowment. In one city, $50,000 for

endowment was given; in another, a similar amount for equipment; in others, greater or less amounts for enlarged buildings; and in many others, amounts for equipment and current expenses. These have been given not so much from the sense of the religious element, as from confidence in the educational value of the work represented.

Not the least important factor in this education is the character of the students. From the beginning, the effort has been made to reach those who most needed additional training-those who

were compelled to leave school at an early day before finding their bent, or who, having found it, were unable to follow it. An examination of the records of the classes shows that to-day, of the nearly thirty thousand men enrolled, nine per cent are students, twenty-four per cent clerks, twenty per cent office men, twenty-four per cent mechanics and twenty-three per cent general tradesmen. It will thus be noted that forty-seven per cent of the members of these classes come from the ranks of the trades; from factory and shop, from the class upon whom the country is so much dependent for its commercial standing in the world as well as its safety in government. In this the association has recognized its great opportunity and is improving it with care and thoughtfulness.

The studies offered these young men include the elementary branches, emphasis being placed on commercial subjects, as arithmetic, bookkeeping, business correspondence and English ; drawing in all its departments, particularly the mechanical; practical applications in elementary woodwork, pattern-making, iron work, etc.; science as applied to industry-chemistry, physics, etc.; languages, largely the leading modern ones; history, political and social economy, with a view to the study of "present day" conditions and principles of government. Most cities add specialties applicable to their leading industries— wood carving, carriage draughting, watch-case carving, textile design, etc. In addition are some of the more especially culture studies-music, literature, etc., as well as lecture courses and practical talks, the training of the literary and debating societies, congress, educational clubs, and similar organizations, all of them stimulating to the intellectual development of young men. In the various classes forty-nine per cent of the students are in commercial studies; two per cent in political; seventeen per cent in industrial; seven per cent in scientific; fifteen per cent in language, and ten per cent in miscellaneous. The steadily increasing number in industrial and scientific studies shows the drift of the day, especially as the associations are being better equipped for this instruction.

In accordance with the purpose to make work practical, the study has been along lines of "units" rather than "courses. Young men enter for mechanical drawing, chemistry, English,

etc., rather than commercial, scientific or industrial courses. In some of the large cities-Chicago, New York and others-such courses are offered, and day classes as well as night are conducted with success. The aim is constantly regarded-to give the young man the special training he needs for his daily work; but in most cities the work is so good that young men looking to higher education come here for their foundations. The fees are limited in order to assist the young men as much as possible, ranging from one to ten dollars for each class per season.

This work is not haphazard, but under the immediate direction of a carefully chosen Educational Committee. In the leading cities there is a trained educational director, whose time is given to the arrangement of the plans and whose work is as systematic as that of any superintendent of public schools. To assist in this development, and to assure the very best work, the interest of a large number of specialists has been enlisted for the supervision of these special subjects. These "International Examiners" are men well known throughout the country, whose

word is recognized as authority. They have prepared suggested standard courses, each in his speciality, to be the basis of the work of the local classes, leaving to each to make such additions or changes as will best adapt the work to its own needs. Annually there are held international examinations, based on the work outlined but modified for local needs. All papers receiving proper marks by the local teachers are submitted to the international examiner for revision. Certificates are issued to those successfully passing the examination, showing the result of the young men's work. Last year one thousand four hundred and ninety-eight of these certificates were won. seen that this system gives a stability and character to the work that adds to its value, and assures the young man that he will receive the needed training, and his employer that it is of the right quality.

It will be

The limited amount of time at the command of the men is one of the difficulties in the work. The classes usually are conducted for six or seven months of the year, on from one to four nights of each week, two evenings being the average, and the recitations are from one to two hours long. The earnestness of the students and their willingness to continue at their work help much to overcome this difficulty. The equipment, too, of the Association is practical, simple and direct, and while thus far it is limited, yet it is constantly improving, and always along lines of practical utility.

Briefly stated then, the educational work of the Young Men's Christian Association is a practical school for young men, meeting the local needs, but united by the strong bonds of state and international organization, so as to be one great movement throughout the country-studying, as no other organization is studying, the condition and requirements of young men.

The result of this work is seen in the steady growth in numbers and quality; in the higher recognition by educators; in the fact that to-day one hundred and eight colleges and other educational institutions accept international certificates upon the same basis as those of other schools; in the respect won from employers, who now look to these associations for men especially trained, and, above all, in the increasing confidence of the young men themselves, who recognize the educational value of what is offered them.

No more striking evidence of the character of the work can be found than in the exhibits which are held every other year in connection with the International Conventions of the organization. At Grand Rapids in 1899 was held one of the most remarkable educational exhibits of our day. Ninety-one associations were represented, and the display filled a room one hun