YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 25 April 1891, Page 2

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING,

The annual public meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association was hold in tho lecture hall of that institution last evening. There was a largo audience, and tho chair was occupied by Mr J. L. Wilson. After the singing of the "Old Hundred," and prayer by the Rev. Mr Lee, the Chairman made a few repacks explanatory ot the objects and aims of the V.M.C.A. He impressed upon those present that young men must bo the real workers amongst young men, and said it whs gratifying to find fchero was now in their Association a larger number of young men than there had been hitherto. There was certain work in Auckland that could bo done by the V.M.C.A. better than by any other meana by uniting together on one common platform Christians of all denominations.

Mr Rigg was called upon to explain the now departure which tlio Y. 11.C.A. management proposod to mako. Ho said that one of their greatest difficulties had been to get young men to join the Association in desirablo numbers, bub a etep in tho right direction had now been taken, and he was pleased to state that at their annual business meeting a large number of young men were elected as officers. The scheme now mooted waa the formation of a circular class, to include members of Bible classes, literary associations, and kindred institutions, affiliated with the Association, to meet in the Y. M.C.A at intervals for mutual encouragement and improvement. It was proposed thab all such atliliuted societies or classes have delegates in the V.M.C.A., and there was every reason to hope that in this way a much greater interest would become aroused in the work of the institution.

Miss Walker sang " The Better Land." The Rev. T. Sherwood gave a highly interesting address on Y.M.O.A. work, taking for hia text "What is Our Mission 2" Their mission, he said, was to make the world Christian, bub how ? The circulation of Christian dogmabics was all very well, bub it was possible for men learned in Christian dogmatics to como far from making the world Christian. The world could only be made Christian by those loading a Christian life. He did not bolong to the Bchool that cherished the gloomy views of tha age they lived in, that Christianity and business were incompatible. Ho insisted that Christianity wusfor business as weil as for worship, and that they must' carry the spirit of Jesua Chriet into all forms of life. The speaker also spoke in etrongly condemnatory language of tho worship of worldly success.

Mr Abel sang "King of Kings." Mr Whitelaw, Treasurer, spoke hopefully of the financial prospects of tho institution. They had mado great strides laeb year. They had then a mortgage of £6,500, in addition to a bank overdraft of £250. A special oli'orb reduced tho overdraft to £5,000, and against that they had substantial surety in buildings worth about £10,000. They had now de',ermined to wipe off the overdraft, and a subscription list had been started for contributions limited to £1 each. Over one hundred prumiees of £1 had already been received, and they were very hopeful of obtaining the balance. Mr Kekwick in a brief address spoke of tho desirability of nob making religion nauseous to young men, and of combining with religion the full value of the subscriptions in healthy recreation.

Mr Hind Smith, who had just arrived by the Alameda from Sydney put in an appearance ab bhis sbage of the proceedings, and was received with loud applause. He expressed pleasure at being in Auckland once again, and regretted thab the Alameda had nob arrived in time to allow him to reach the meeting earlier. He had had a pretty good time in Australia, and found that the V.M.C.A. was doing a useful work there, bub everywhere he saw tho great need that existed for such an institution. The immense number of strange young mon who found their way to the colonies required such a kindly hand and protecting guidance as tho V.M.C.A. could give, such Christian companionship, Christian sympathy and Christian help. He mentioned several instances in which young men, sons ot Christian parents, had come out to bhe colony to make their way, and had been shipwrecked for wanb of such guidance as the r.M.C.A. could afford. One of the mosb terrible evils ot colonial life waa gambling, and he warned all young men against it. Ho believed it was ruining nioro young men than any of the other evils. The V.M.C.A. waa progressing as very few Associations were, and its progress during the paab few years was something amazing. No less than 1,369 new Associations had been formed during the lasb cix years, and be had found members qJ bhe Association wherever he had travelled. Hβ had addressed 160 meetings since he left Home, and had received the groabest encouragemenb all along bhe line. (Applause.) The meeting concluded with singing and the benediction.