YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 138, 12 June 1888, Page 2

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The usual annual meeting in connection | with the above Association was held last evening in the Lecture Room, Albert-street. There was a good attendance. Sir Wm. Fox presided. On the platform were also Pastor Muller, Revs. W. Tebbs (Anglican), Spur ceon (Baptist), Thomas (Congregationalist)' Carrick (Presbyterian), Mr Brakonng and other friends. • ___~'. , x . n -vr nTnfi After the hymn "How Sweet the Home of Jesus Sounds" had been sung, the Rev. Mr Thomas engaged in prayer. Sir William Fox then made a few remarks. He said that the, Association^ was not strictly a Young Mens Christ an Association, for its benefits were extended to oil ao-es. It was essential, however, that all members should profess themselves as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, Their object was the outcome of the position in which the Church was now to the outside world. Their duty was to catch men to be an adjunct to tho Church. But they went beyond that, for they tried to draw others under the influence oi Christianity. They had a large class where gymnastics alone were taught, it t>y tnac means they could draw persons into contact with the teachings of Christianity, it was a wise thing for them to do. So it was with many other things connected with tne Association. There was nothing anti-religious in their Association. Their library might be made a powerful instrument in the diffusion of Christian knowledge. One thing he noticed was thab there was an out of all proportion of works of fiction in their library.. These were very weakening (applause),'and were really of no use Whatever Those abominable yellow backs were nob the food to bo supplied to their members. (Applause.) Ho would like to see them replaced by more substantial, solid, and Christian literature.. Ho could not tell them how, when, or whero V.M.C. Associations originated, bub wherever he went he found those cabalistic letters placed over some building. At present they were burdened wibh a heavy debt, and ho hoped that they would nob pander to any worldly, practices with a view to lessening their financial troubles. In tho matter oflectures he thought thab there were many last year which were purely of a political nature. Ho could see the difficulty. Money thoy must have, but still he should like to see these lectures put to a purpose' more consonant wibh the principles of the Asso-

ciation. ' . ~ Mr T. Buddie, the Hon. Sec, next addressed the meeting. He thought that the Chairman had been somewhat hard upon the management. There was fiction in the library, but nob the large proportion suggested by the last speaker. He would just pay a few words with regard to the report, which had already been printed and circulated. They would see that the supportliadnotincreased in proportion to the work. They had at present to face the fact that while their assets were valued ab £10,000, their debt was £6,500, part bearing interest ab 5 and part ab b por cent. They wanted about £800 per annum to carry on the Work, but at present they were from £250 to £300 behindhand. Of course tho times wero depressed, bub still they did nob find that the hard times in any way affected the skating rinks and other places of amusement. _ It was somewhat singular that in hard times ib was religious associations, and nob places of amusement, which suffered. He asked the friends present to render them every assistance in their power, so that the coinin"- year might be more prosperous than the one which had closed. They had faith that they should have the aid they required to carry on the work of the Association successfully. Pastor Muller then came forward to make a few remarks. He referred to tho great importance to a nation of the proper training of its young men. Therefore, such associations should be well supported. They all knew how continually young men poured into the colonies to settle, and to lend them a hand was a great work. Many of them living away from their relatives threw themselves into all sorts of vice, therefore it was necessary thab they should be carefullylooked after, and made tofeel that thoy had friends in V.M.C. Associations. Wherever ho found these associations with godly men ab their head, ho fbund thab bhey 1 did a great work. They should see that, young men coming to or leaving the colonies should be supplied with letters of recommendation to the V.M.C. Associations. That was a matter of very great importance.- Pastor Midler tlißn spoke ab length upon the great work done by the V.M.C. Associabion, and pointed out the many benefits arising from such organisations. Ho also referred to the fact thab such institutions could nob be carried on without money. By all sorts of manoeuvres they could get the money, but they could not expect the blessing of God. If it was the work of God, then go to God for the money, and they would have it. God was infinitely rich and could afford to pay for the work being done. They would soon find how ready He was to help them in their good work. Let them only have faith and all would be well. Let those amongsb his hearers consider carefully what bhey were able to do for bhe Association. Let them determine after careful consideration how much they might systematically give towards the Association. Let the giving be systematic, and nob by fits' and starts. If that were done, the difficulties in carrying on the work would soon disappear. A hymn was then sung, during which the collection was gathered. Pastor Spurgeon next addressed .the roe-ting. He rejoiced exceedingly in'the work which tho Association Was carrying om He was glad thab the great desire was to win the- young men for Christ. He was disposed bo place the lectures upon the same footing as the gymnastics, in that they drewyoungmen under the influence of the Association. They were thus introducing them to a purer atmosphere, even if bhey gob them to debate the nationalisation of land. They had a negative as well as a positive work to do. There were no snare 3or harpies hanging round the amusements of the Association. His earnest prayer was for bhe future success of the-Association. The Rev. A. Carrick was next called upon. He said that when he looked-upon such a varied assemblage he thought of the words "Separated as tbe waves of the sea, but substantially one by virtue of the oneness of our Head." Mr Carrick then referred to the many great men that had arisen in Germany, the home of Pastor Muller. He had long venerated the name of Pastor Midler, and he blessed God for his visit to these colonies. He considered thab if the youth of New Zealand had a fault it was that they gave, perhaps, too much of their time to the development

of their physical capabilities. The culture of the physical was of great importance, but still it should be remembered that mind was more important than matter. It was a grand mistake to think that man was nothing but matter. There was a deathless principle in him. He trusted that the Association would be successful in the future. Let them get the intellect as pellucid as they could — get. an understanding which would penetrate. He would advise young men to make notes from books which were solid and satisfying. Let the memory also be constantly exercised. Every gift of God should be cultivated to its utmost capacity. Memory should bring them to repentance and should stimulate faith and love. It should also stir them up to lofty resolves. - Let) tho living present urge them onwards

and upwards until they grew in knowledge, grace, and power. • , J The Doxology was then sung, and the meeting dispersed.