YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7342, 21 June 1889, Page 6

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

A gathering took place at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms last, evening to formally welcome Mr T. S. Smeaton on his return from Australia to

eater upon another term of office as General Secretary of the Association. A tea was laid in the reading-room, the good things for which were provided by the ladies, under a committee consisting of Mesdames Greenwood, Carter, Struthers, Carter, and Webb. There was a large attendance of members and friends, a considerable proportion being ladies. A public meeting followed the tea, at which Mr Henry Purdie presided. The Rev. J. Hoatson. welcomed Mr Smeaton, heartily expressing pleasure at his return, and hopes for continued prosperity in the work of the Association. Mr Smeaton, who was very warmly received, returned his thanks for the words of welcome and manifestations of good feeling towards himself. He had, he said, found that the members of the Association had done thoroughly good work in hie absence, and now appeared to be in splendid spirits. Hβ then proceeded to give a resume of the work of the conference of secretaries and members of Young Men's Christian Associations in Australasia, which had recently been held in Sydney, and at which he had attended aa the representative of the Christchurch Association. The delegates were very heartily received on assembling, and he was glad to tind that such a large number of exceedingly influential men showed so much Interest in the work of the Christian Associations. He found, that in the matter of interested audiences the Christchurch Association could da quite as well as could any of the Associai tions in the larger centres of Australia. Hβ then compared the membership rolls df the Sydney and Melbourne Associations with the Christchurch one and considering the pretensions and value of the buildings in Australia for its work, and the very large populations of the cities, then the roll of the Christchurch Association was very creditable indeed. Still there was room for improvement, and he hoped the roll would be augmented considerably in the near future. The spiritual aspect of the work had come in for special consideration' at the hands of the delegates. The Secretaries should keep this feature prominently under notice. He had djne so since his advent in Christchurch, and he ntended to do so to a still greater extent in the future. He hoped that soon the Association here would be able to follow in the steps of older Associations, and do evangelistic work on a larger scale. Mr Smeaton then touched upon the social aspect of the work. This had formed the subject of discussion at the Conference, aDd he was on this count also able to congratulate the Christchurch Association on the position it occupied in comparison with Anstralian ones. The Association, from a business point of view was then referred to, and the speaker instanced the case of an Australian gentleman—a shrewd business man—who emphatically said it paid him to support the V.M.C.A. The gentlemen in question had no less than twenty.five members of such Associations, and found them most serviceable employes. He (Mr titneaton) was glad to find that so many business men in Christchurch had so staunchly supported the Association, but there were many yet who should take a practical interest in it. He concluded by appealing for assistance to further furnish the rooms, and urging the claims of the Association on the public. Mr A. Kate also gave an address, apologising for the absence of several prominent members, and referring in hopeful terms to the improved tone among the members of the Association.

During the evening an excellent programme of music was contributed by Mrs Chrystall, Mrs A.dley, Misses Bell and Allender, and Messrs Normingron, Robertson, C. F. Turner , and H. A. Adley. On the motion of Mr A. W. Beaven, seconded by Mr Smeaton, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ladies and others who had assisted at the gathering. The singing of the Doxology then closed a very pleasant and highly successful meeting.