The years from 1866 to 1870 mark the re vival of the American work after the war. In June 1866 an international convention was called at Albany, which outlined a new i policy for the associations. The plan of a migratory nterna tional committee was abandoned, and the head quarters were permanently established in New York City. Hon. Cephas Brainerd was, a year later, chosen chairman of this committee, a posi tion which he held for 25 years. This conven tion announced the platform that the work of the association should be limited to young men, although it was some years before this became the actual practice. The convention established a day of prayer for young men in November, which has become a world-wide observance. It also arranged for the organizing of State com mittees, and the beginning of what is usually spoken of as State work. The great contribu tion of this convention, however, was the em phasis which it placed on the true field of the Young Men's Oristian Association as distinc tive work for young men. In his opening ad dress, Mr. Brainerd said: SOur future progress rests upon an unswerving devotion to the pri mary objects and aims of this association — the social, mental, and religious improvement of young men. As organizations with these avowed objects, we challenge attention. As seeking these ends we are prominently before the world. Because of these things we are what we are. When we deviate from them, we trench upon ground assigned to others." As yet there was no uniformity among the associations in America as to the conditions of membership. At the international convention held in Portland, in 1869, it was decided that only members of evangelical churches should vote or hold office in the association, and it was stated that: We bold those churches to be evangelical which main taining the Holy Scriptures to be the only infallible rule of faith and practice. do believe in the Lord Isms Christ the only begotten son of the Pathos. King Lord of Lords. in whom dwelleth the fulness of the bodily. and who was made on for us though knowing no sin. bearing our sins in His own body on the tree) as the only osme Under heaven given among men whereby we mum be saved purushmeoL In the meantime, in New York City a de termined effort was being made to erect a suit able building adapted to the needs of young men. In addition to the work already under taken for the spiritual, intellectual and social improvement of young men, it was decided to add a gymnasium for physical training. After an earnest canvass for funds, and a most care ful study of plans, the historic building on the rn coer of 23d street and F ave nue, which provided under one roof for the various phases of association activity, was erected. This building cost $487,000, and was opened to the public in November 1869. Here was developed the modern type of the diversi fied work for the cultivation of Christian nun hood, which has become characteristic of the American associations, and which is spreading throughout the world.
A unique feature of this building, which has been copied in most association structures, was the central reception-room, or lobby, in which was the public office of the secretary, and through which every one must pass upon enter ing the building. From this reception-rocui opened the reading-room, the parlors, the amusement-room, the gymnasium, the library, the educational classrooms and the secretary's private office. This enabled the secretary in charge to control the various activities which were housed under one roof, and to keep in touch with the multitude of young men oho took advantage of the privileges of the associa tion.
The years from 1870 to 1878 in America rrta be characterized as a period of adaptation the work of the association to the needs of young men, and the extension of this work to various classes of young men. It is an interest ing fact that, as soon as the organization spe cialized its work and limited it to young men, it immediately found a large field for service In 1872, at Cleveland, a branch association was founded for work among railroad men. This met with a hearty response from the men them selves. A secretary was employed, rooms were opened at the railway station of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern road and an effort made to extend the work elsewhere. Similar societies were also organized at a number of the terminal points, and in the fall of 1875 the atten tion of Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt was called to this work. Through his endorsement other railroad officials became interested in this move ment. It was soon found that it was worth while for railroad corporations to provide the facilities and attractions of a Young Men's Christian Association for the comfort of employees.
As early as 1858, at the State wtcivens:ties of Michigan and Virginia, student Young Mm's Christian Associations had been organized Early in the 70's, Mr. Robert Weidensall aeon ized similar societies in a number of coileges. By 1876 there were 25 college associations, with about 2.500 members. Through the influence of Mr. Luther D. Wishard. a student at Princeton representatives of all college associations were invited to the international convention Grid at Louisville, Ky., in 1877. This resulted in the inauguration of the intercollegiate movemeir as a department of the work of the interoationa: committee. An extended effort was also trek during this period among German-symbol men, and toward its close a work was inaugurated among colored young men.
One of the most important agencies de veloped during this time was the work of super %loon. The international committee located in New York steadily grew in resources and influ ence. A number of the most prominent Chris tian business men of New York City and other parts of the country accepted positions of re sponsibility upon this committee. In 1868 Mr. Robert Weidensall became the first traveling secretary, being located in the West with head quarters at Omaha, afterward Chicago. He is still in the service of the committee. Mr. Wei de-nsall has done much pioneer organiz ing State committees, and introducing many new phases of work for your men. In recent years he has particularly fostered what is known as county work for young men in rural districts. Mr. Richard C. Morse accepted a position with the International Committee in De cember 1869, first as editor of the Association 3fenthly, and in 1872 as executive secretary of the committee, in which position he continued until 1913, when he was succeeded by Dr. John R Mott. Mr. Morse has been appointed con sulting secretary.
At the close of this period, 1878, the Amer ican International Committee had in their em ploy Eight traveling secretaries, and in addition to the general work, were supervising work for railroad men, college students, German-speaking young men and colored young men. The budget for 1878 showed an expenditure for supervision on the part of the International Committee of 316.875. The American associations at this time reported 141 employed officers. Of these, 100 were general secretaries, 21 assistants, 12 State and 8 international secretaries.