THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1391, 27 July 1878, Page 10

THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

At the Temperance Hall on Wednesday, a teameeting was held for the purpose of 'inaugurating a Young Women's Christian Association in this city. The meeting was fully attended, between four and five hundred persons being present. 'After tea the chair was taken by Mr James Eulton, and a Beries of resolutions in support of the institution of a Dunedin. Young Women's Christian Association were adopted without dissent. The Rev L. Mackie proposed the first resolution — "That it is desirable [to establish a Young Women's Christian Association in Dunedia "— -and in speaking in support of it referred to the useful work which might be accomplished by the proposed organisation among the female immigrants, and in connection with the charitable institutions of the city. The Eev Mr Ward seconded the motion, and spoke upon the requisites to the success of the undertaking. The motion was carried unanimously. The Rev. Professor Salmond moved that the following be the Constitution of the Society :— 1, That the Association be called the Dunedin Young Women's Christian Association. 2. That the objects of the Association ta : The mutual benefit of the members, and generally such work as U competent to Christian women. 8. Any woman who is a member of a Christian Church, and who is willing to pay the annual subscription of five shillings, may be a member. ■ 4. The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Board; of Management, consisting of a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer and Secretary, and twelve others, all of whom shall be elected annually. The City Ministers' wives shall be members of Committee. 5. All meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer. The proposed Constitution was, he said, vague and tentative, but he thought it might be adopted by the meeting. There were several amendments he would suggest for future consideration. The name he thought might be changed. Why should it be a "Young Women's Christian Association," and at what age did a woman cease to be young? He found that many of the members of the Young Men's Christian Association were fathers and grandfathers, and the explanation given of the name was that it was for work amongst young men. The title of the proposed Society, he thought, should be a little more explicit, or it might cause a little misleading. The objects stated were also, he thought, a little vague; but he was pleased with the promise as to membership, for he had an intense dislike to societies composed of the elect of- the elect, and thought that membership with ft Christian church should be snfficient to entitle one to be a member of such an association as this.— (Cheers,) The Rey. Dr Rosebt seconded the lesolution, and in doing so referred to historical illustrations of wfiat might be accomplished by women who engaged in religious and philanthropic work, to Florence Nightingale and Mrs Elizabeth Fry. The motion was adopted neni. con. The Rev. L. Moore moved, and it was seconded by Mr Boot, and carried— " That this meeting gives every encouragement and help to this institution." During the evening several selections of sacred music were excellently rendered by the "United Evangelistic Choir," under the direction of Mr Low. A vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to the ladies, the choir, the speakers, and the chairman, and the meeting was closed by the Rev. Mr Mirams pronouncing the benediction.