ave no attraction for him. The association must see to it
that his social craving is met by that which is interesting enough to
attract him, and yet is safe. To counteract baleful attractions, others
which call forth strong sympathy, and appliances which _cost_, in every
sense of the word, must be furnished.

This means pleasant rooms, books, papers, good companionship, classes,
lectures, concerts, the hall, and the gymnasium; but more important than
all, a trained man who shall give his whole time and heart to the work,
and be amply remunerated.

Since these things are more or less necessary to successful effort for
young men, it will readily be seen why so many associations have ceased
to exist.

The committee have come to the conclusion that every town in the State
where rooms can be kept open in charge of a general secretary should
have a Young Men's Christian Association, and where these cannot be
furnished we are not anxious to establish it.

At the convention of 1882, in Charlestown, it became apparent that, to
meet the calls for evangelistic work and push the distinctive
association work, two men were required. Two, therefore, were appointed:
one to give his time largely to evangelistic work, the other wholly to
that of the association. In the following year, 1883, the evangelistic
secretary decided to do the same work independently of the committee,
and the whole energy of the state secretary has been devoted to the
organization of association work.

We may safely say that, although numerically small, never before has
this work been so efficiently organized as now, and never has there been
so much done as now for young men. At the convention of 1881, a
constitution was adopted which binds the different state associations in
organic union. These hold an annual convention of three days, at which
time one half of the executive committee is chosen, thus making it a
perpetual body. This committee represents every section of the State,
and meets monthly for consultation; while the individual members are
means of communication between headquarters in Boston and other
respective sections. There is a further subdivision into three
districts, each of which holds a quarterly conference of one day, under
the management of the district committee.

The associations now number 35.
Membership, about 11,300.
Employing general secretaries, 19.
Having buildings, 7.
Value of buildings, say, $490,000.
Value of building fu