228 Presidential Addresses 



stronger than the effort of one; and the successful 

 effort to combat the forces of evil had to take just 

 such shape as has been given to the growth of the 

 Young Men's Christian Associations. It had to 

 take the shape of combining decency and efficiency. 

 There are many things that are so true that it seems 

 almost trite to speak of them, and yet it is contin 

 ually necessary to speak of them. There have been 

 philanthropic movements led and supported by most 

 excellent people, which, nevertheless, have produced 

 results altogether incommensurable with the efforts 

 spent, because they failed to combine as this move 

 ment has combined a recognition of the needs of 

 human nature with a resolute effort to make that 

 human nature better. 



I have been acquainted especially with three types 

 of your work: the work in the army and navy, the 

 work among railroad men, and the work among col 

 lege students. These three classes are not going 

 to be effectively reached as classes by any effort 

 which fails to take account of the fact that they de 

 mand manliness as well as virtue ; and you can make 

 them straight only on condition that in making them 

 straight you also keep in mind that it is necessary 

 for them to be strong. Remember Wesley's re 

 mark when some one criticised him because his 

 hymn tunes were so good. He answered that he 

 was not going to leave all the good tunes to the 

 devil. We want to be exceedingly careful that the 

 impression shall not get about that good men intend 

 to leave strength to those who serve the devil. I 



