Women also belong and contribute to the general missionary societies of the church.
The International Board of Women's and Young Women's Christian Associations had its beginning in 1871, when thirty of these associations affiliated for biennial conferences. Later they organized as the International Board which became incorporated. Its object is to unite in one central organization these bodies of the United States, Canada and other countries, and to promote the forming of similar ones, to advance the mental, moral, temporal and above all the spiritual welfare of young women.
The Ladies' Christian Union of New York, organized in 1858, was the first work in this country for the welfare of young business women. A home was the imperative need of the friendless young women employed in cities then as it is now, since the small wages received make possible for them only the poorest quarters amid demoralizing conditions. These Christian Women opened a house and took into it as many as they could reach, giving clean rooms, wholesome food, cheap rent, pure moral atmosphere and religious influences. From this developed the Young Women's Christian Association.
The federated associations now own property valued at over $5,000,000. In the evolution of this work the Boarding Homes, now accommodating over 3,000 at one time, have been supplemented as the need arose. The Traveler's Aid Department seeks to reach the young, ignorant girls before the agents of evil who haunt the railroad stations and steamer landings. During I9g00 over 10,000 were thus protected. The Employment Bureau during this year assisted over 20,000 applicants. The Educational Department, with day and evening classes, has 15,000 enrolled. There are Recreation Departments, Vacation Homes and many other important features. Every phase of the life of a girl or woman is touched by the association. Religion in its broad sense is its fundamental and guiding principle.
Twenty-three States are represented in sixty associations in the United States and Canada, with over 20,000 voting and contributing members, over 500,000 associate members — self-supporting girls and women — and 2,500 junior members.
The Woman's National Sabbath Alliance was organized in 1895, to educate the women of America to an intelligent appreciation of the relation of this one day in seven to the national life, and to emphasize woman's responsibility and influence, especially in the -home and in society. The work is along educational lines — in creating public sentiment in favor of better Sabbath observance. While placing a wedge in every tiny opening, its members have prayed, protested, proclaimed and practiced. Through this organization Christian women have become more fearless in standing for their convictions. The Alliance has twenty-two branches and over 1,000 members.
