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 funds and lots, $50,000. 
Having rooms, 23. 
Having gymnasiums, 8. 
Annual expenses, about $65,000.

This is only a beginning.  This work for young men is far too important to remain within such limits.  Every town in the Commonwealth of seven thousand inhabitants should have a fully equipped association.  Some smaller towns already have.

My excuse for this sketch is:  first, the importance of the subject; second, the ignorance concerning it of a large portion of the Christian community; third, that the blessings of the work and its support may be shared by far greater numbers; and, lastly, that the courtesy of the editors of The Bay State Monthly afforded altogether too good an opportunity for making this work known, to be lost.

* * * * *

TOWN AND CITY HISTORIES.

BY ROBERT LUCE.

The United States government has now in press two volumes of the census of 1880, entitled The Social Statistics of Cities.  These statistics have been in process of preparation for some four years, under direction of Colonel George E. Waring, jr., the eminent sanitary engineer, of Newport, Rhode Island.  They will fill two large quarto volumes of something over six hundred pages each; and as each page will average over one thousand words, it will be seen that the work will, at least, be massive and imposing, like most government publications.  Unlike many of these, however, it will not be dull, unintelligible, or valueless.  The fact that one half of it is devoted to the history of the cities of our land is well-nigh sufficient proof that these epithets cannot be applied to it, and the question is settled beyond a doubt when it is learned that the greater part of the labor has been performed by people who are well known in the literary world, and who brought to their task experience and ability,—­rare qualifications to be found combined in government employees.  Colonel Waring himself, though a clear thinker and good writer, furnished comparatively little manuscript to the volumes, but he has revised them thoroughly, and has stamped them with his individuality.