MORE ABOUT Y.W.C.A.; “GIRL’S OWN PAPER” BRANCH.
By the Hon. GERTRUDE KINNAIRD.
About three years ago a paper appeared in the pages of this magazine entitled “Y.W.C.A.” It will be interesting to trace the growth of the seed then sown, and to see whether it found any ground where it could take root and grow. That some soil was prepared to receive it appeared evident from the very first, for letters flowed in to the writer of that paper from many parts of the country.
Some of these letters were from girls living in the neighbourhoods where the Young Women’s Christian Association had established branches, but about which they knew nothing, although its benefits were just what they needed. They had not even heard of the existence of an association in which provision is made for the social, intellectual, moral, and spiritual welfare of young women. These girls were at once put into communication with the local secretary, who received them with a hearty welcome, and it is pleasant to record the eagerness displayed by our new members in availing themselves of the opportunity afforded to them by our Association to become allied with the great band of young women now encircling the globe who desire to live godly, righteous, and sober lives in this present evil world.
On the other hand, a large number of letters came from those who lived at a greater or less distance from any existing branch, and it became necessary to find some link by which these young people could be joined together. They were therefore formed into the “Girl’s Own Paper Branch,” a name which has since been abbreviated to “Girl’s Own Branch”; and a very efficient Secretary was found in Miss Violet Tweedy, who was somewhat unwilling to undertake this work, but now writes, “I love the work, and would not give up my girls for anything; it is one of my greatest pleasures writing and receiving letters from them.”
It is extremely important to observe the words “Scattered Members’ Branch,” and we will pause to consider this striking feature of the work of the Y.W.C.A., enabling it to extend its influence into places where no Institute or Home has found its way, and among those who cannot avail themselves of their special advantages.
Of such branches some of the most prominent are, the “Art Students’ Branch,” with this aim—to bring together in Christian, social intercourse, those who are studying art in our great centres of population, and the Secretary of this branch will be glad to receive the names of any students likely to be in London; the “Hospital Nurses’ Branch,” started for the purpose of uniting in sympathy those who are labouring to alleviate pain and suffering; the “Restaurant Girls’ Branch;” the “Rural Servants’ Branches,” etc., etc.
Let us now return to the history of our “Girl’s Own Branch.” The duty of the Secretary was to correspond with the members, supply them with the Monthly Letter, and induce them to take in one of the Association magazines. It was only about three years ago that our branch first saw the light, and during that period it has proved to have a healthy and vigorous life. In all 82 have joined, of whom a great many have been transferred to other branches, two have married, two have been removed by death, leaving 40 now in constant correspondence with the secretary.
That the individual members are alive may be judged from these facts:—
One member has a Saturday evening Bible class of twenty factory girls, whom she helps in many ways.
Another collected £1 for the Shaftesbury Memorial Fund, and a third collected for the Old Ford Institute; and all have helped in the special Christmas collections.
One of the members is an inmate of an incurable hospital, and is most helpful to the secretary by specially remembering in prayer any of her fellow-members who may desire to be thus aided.
We will now ask you to listen to the testimonies of the members by quoting a few passages from their letters, to which many more might be added:—
“I never thought seriously till I joined the Association,” writes one, “and now I am a totally different girl—so happy. I was confirmed last week, and shall always look back to the day with joy.”
“I think it seems so kind and good of ladies,” writes another, “to take such an interest in us poor girls. You little know half the good you do us or what our lives really are. I sometimes feel ready to give up in despair, when everything seems to go wrong, and at those times your letters seem sent of God to cheer me up and help me to go on again. They are read and re-read again and again, and I thank you for them much.”
A young member writes:—“Thank you very much for writing to me. I do enjoy your letters. I quite feel as though I knew you; but I should like to see you ever so much.”
Yet another:—“You have granted me such a privilege by asking me to write to you, which I shall be pleased to do.”
The last extract is from a girl of seventeen, who, after describing her life, adds:—“I have ordered, may I say, our Association papers.... I must now close, longing to have one of your ever welcome letters soon.”
Surely there is no need to question the usefulness of the Association. These letters tell their own story by the simple, unaffected manner in which the writers assert that they have received positive benefits through linking themselves to it.
It will not be out of place to add a word or two as to the objects of the Y.W.C.A. for the benefit of those who have not seen the article referred to, besides other notices which have appeared from time to time.
The products of nature are not valued in proportion to their size or outward appearance, but more generally with reference to their use for the sustaining of life. The spreading cedar is far more magnificent and beautiful than the little potato-plant, and yet the cedar would be less missed than the potato.
The rosy-cheeked, shining apple makes more show than the little seed-corn, and yet there is no comparison as to which we could most easily spare. The apple we could dispense with; it would be difficult to dispense with what has been aptly termed “the staff of life.”
So with the Y.W.C.A. It does not assume to itself a great place in the way of presenting you with a magnificent appearance; but nevertheless its work is sure, and it is steadily making its influence felt through the length and breadth of the land. If anyone should wish to feel this influence, they must join the Association, follow it in its work, watch its effects, and the verdict must be favourable.
The Association is writing its name ineffaceably in the changed lives, enlarged hopes, higher aims, and nobler motives of many of its members.
Another point sometimes forgotten is that the object of the Association is to build up character, remembering that “it depends upon what we are as to what the world is like.”
“Dark is the world to thee;
Thyself the reason why.”
Its aim is not to bring the members out of the spheres in which they have been placed, but to help them to do their duty better in that station of life where God Has placed them.
Its aim is to lead them to see that it does make a vast difference how they fulfil those duties, and that if they are actuated by high Christian motives, they will find this the way to ennoble all work.
Its aim is to teach its members who have the talent, or leisure, or education, or artistic training, to use this for the common weal, and save them from the selfish narrowness of a useless life.
Thus the Y.W.C.A. does its quiet work day by day. Sometimes it offers its protection to a girl who sets foot in London or some other large town for the first time, the Stations Visitor sent out by the Travellers’ Aid Department (Office, 16A, Old Cavendish-street, W.), meeting her at the Station or Wharf. Sometimes it saves a girl from falling into the snares, now so often laid for them in advertisements offering high wages and little work, which means ruin and degradation. Any girl may apply to the Employment Agency, 17, Old Cavendish-street, or to the Business Agency, 316, Regent-street, for a safe situation, or for information concerning registries and advertisements. Sometimes it gives occupation for the leisure hours when tired fingers and weary brain need relaxation and change. There are 40 institutes and homes in London alone, and 125 branches, and similar work is carried on all over the country.
The Association has thus proved itself indispensable to many a lonely, tempted girl. Thank God for the Young Women’s Christian Association! The London Association has published four reasons why every girl should join.
Y.W.C.A.
Why Should I Join?
Because every young woman should identify herself with an Association which is pre-eminently her own, and thus support it by her influence and example.
Because if you yourself do not need the special advantages of our Association, remember the thousands of our sisters who do; therefore, enrol yourself as a member, and encourage every one whom you may come across to do the same.
Because, if you desire to work for God, here is a delightful sphere for all the time and talents you have to spare, as almost all our local branches are needing helpers.
Because, by joining, and also influencing others to join, you may be the means of bringing many in who will by-and-by say, “Thank God I ever came in here!”
Enough has been said to prove that the seed sown in The Girl’s Own Paper three years ago has taken root and flourished, and we would ask every young reader to join their own branch at once. They may join as Associates or Prayer Union Members, paying 1s. a year, or as Working Members, 2s. 6d. a year, or as Honorary Associates, 5s. a year, by writing to Miss V. Tweedy, Widmore House, Bromley, Kent; or, if they prefer, to the Secretary, at the Central Office, 17, Old Cavendish-street, W. Subscriptions in aid of the work will be thankfully received by the Hon. Secretaries—Mrs. H. Arbuthnot, 15, Craven-hill-gardens, London, W., and the Hon. Emily Kinnaird, 2, Pall Mall East, S.W.