They are: 1. A student organization without official connection with the University, but subject, as are all student organiza 2. tions, to the general oversight of the University authorities. An interdenominational and nonsectarian organization. 3. An organization, intercollegiate in character. Working upon this basis, the purpose is 1. To secure the interest of all classes of students, as well as the Alumni, Faculty and Trustees of the University. 2. To help in any legitimate way, both spiritually and in general, all classes of students. Some of the tenets of the Association are as follows: Clean Christian manhood. Growth in spiritual life. Aggressive Christian work by and for the students. Intercollegiate fellowship. The use of all practical means for saving, protecting and developing students in mind and body. It was to be expected that the awakened interest in the Association, as well as the additional resources placed at its disposal in 1898, would produce tangible results, and it is thought that the presentation below of the details of growth since that time will not prove disappointing to any one. It is to be remembered, however, that the opinions and prejudices of students are hard to overcome, and that sympathy and cooperation are not to be expected to so large a degree from those who have known the Association in its former days as from the new students. Indeed, the work of the Association is especially directed toward enlisting at the very outset the interest of new students. Consequently, not until an entirely new generation of students has come upon the scene can the full estimate of the influence of the Association under its new organization, be measured. Under these conditions, it will be evident that the last two years' work have exceeded reasonable expectation. 1897-98 VERSUS 1898-99. There is no complete record of the year preceding reorganization, hence we must be content with a few comparative statistics. One class of six members. Representation at Conventions, Conferences, etc. Total number of conventions, etc... Total number of delegates.. Correspondence Letters, etc., sent out.. Letters, etc., received... Interesting Items in the Year's Work- (b) Provided room mates (about).. 104 74 41 දිසි ප 3 33 5 681 27 57 38 16 First local College General Secretary in Indiana. 600 handbooks issued free. President H. S. Colburn made Junior State Deputy. First "Geneva Night" held May 22, 1899. First Purdue Bible Institute. Revision of Constitution to provide for General Secretary and Advisory Committee. First Advisory Committee. MEN WHO GAVE US SPECIAL PERSONAL ASSISTANCE. Governor James A. Mount, Indianapolis. Hon. James W. Noel, Indianapolis. Rev. J Cumming Smith, Indianapolis. State Secretary E. E. Stacy, Indianapolis. Associate State Secretary E. W. Peck, Indianapolis. Hon. Alexander Johnson, Fort Wayne. Mr. C. H. Newton, Fort Wayne. Mr. Lemuel Hartman, Fort Wayne. General Secretary C. C. Michener, Chicago. Prof. E. T. Harper, Chicago. President James H. Smart, Purdue. Prof. W. E. Stone, Purdue. Prof. Stanley Coulter, Purdue. Prof. T. F. Moran, Purdue. Mr. C. H. Robertson, Purdue. Mr. A. M. Kenyon, Purdue. Intercollegiate Secretary, Wm. T. Carker, Chicago. Superintendent Edw. F. Ayres, LaFayette. Rev. George W. Switzer, La Fayette. Mr. Cloyd Marshall, La Fayette. General Secretary Phil. Bevis, LaFayette. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The choice of a general secretary is a matter of such importance and difficulty that it needs more attention than a student committee of the association can give. The change of officers in the spring often causes a serious change of policy. The raising of the salary of the secretary is often more than the students can at first accomplish in addition to the increased expenses of an enlarging work. For these and other reasons, it was deemed wise last year to revise the constitution and while providing for a general secretary, to provide for an advisory committee. A nominating committee met April 26, 1899, and chose, in accordance with the constitutional amendments, six men to serve as follows: Prof. Wm. F. M. Goss, 3 years. C. H. Robertson, 2 years. The names of these persons were presented to the Association at a business meeting held May 3, 1899, and they were unanimously elected. H. S. Colburn, as President of the Association, serves exofficio, for one year. During the month of May the seventh active member of the committee was sought for. Many prominent citizens of Indiana were considered. The busiest of them all was selected because of his wide reputation for faithful and effective service in the line of duty. With the aid of the Purdue University corporation and His Excellency Gov. James Mount, Hon. Alexander Johnson, of Ft. Wayne, was secured May 22, and formally elected by the above named members of the Advisory Committee at a meeting held at the Lahr House, May 31. THE SECOND YEAR OF REORGANIZATION. The Advisory Committee saw fit to re-elect the former General Secretary. Plans for the new year were accordingly carried out as arranged for in the spring of 1899. THE ASSOCIATION HOUSE. During the summer the Advisory Committee rendered invaluable assistance in securing a three-year lease on Marsteller Place. A tenant was secured to furnish, occupy and care for the house. Students, mostly members of the Association, were secured as roomers, and the office of the Secretary and the Reading Room were opened on the first floor. As originally planned, money was to be raised by the Advisory Committee in addition to the salary of the Secretary, sufficient to furnish the house throughout by next year; thus enabling the Association to have full control of the equipment and at less expense. Unforeseen developments arose, however, which made it advisable to assume full control of the house at Thanksgiving time. The financial outlook of the committee was considered and declared sufficiently good to warrant the immediate and full furnishing of the House. This was accordingly done during the Thanksgiving recess. The Association has, therefore, at present, a very valuable equipment furnishing quarters for fifteen men, a large advantageously located reading room, a large parlor and a private office, the latter three rooms being furnished at the present time the Christmas holidays-by donations from friends of the University, the Association being largely assisted in this by the Advisory Committee and a special committee of ladies that promises to develop into a ladies' auxiliary. Let it here be said that neither this auxiliary nor the Advisory Committee is created to do work that the boys can do themselves, nor provide comforts for a few picked men. This must forever be guarded against. POINTS OF ADVANCE FOR 1898-99. Our Association House. The work of our Advisory Committee. Our leather covered Handbook. The doubling of our financial investment. Full monthly statistical reports. Development of our Advertising Committee. Preparation of our Subscription Book. Financial canvass of business men of Indiana. Catalogue notice to new students. More frequent use of special speakers. Average attendance at mid-week meetings, 57. Largest college delegation at State Convention, 18. |