Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 11

Y.M.C.A.

TORCH OF FRIENDSHIP CEREMONY. A eere"muny symbolising the international bonds, which unite the men and boys of tho Young Men's Christian Association throughout the world, will be held in Christchurch on September -3rd. Seven years ago the first world conference for younger mcir and boys of Young Men's Christian Associations was held at Portchac'i, in Czechoslovakia, and at that gathering a "special torch ceremony was heid round an international 1 tire of friendship. The representatives of the various countries lit torches at that fire and took them hack to their own countries to enablo them to show in a concrete way that they had received a conception of the spirit of friendship. This practice has been carried on at tho various camps and conferences, and last year, when it was held at Toronto, it, was thought advisable to have tile torch ceremony in every association throughout the world in a certain month. To that end tho Boys' Work Committee of the International Council was instructed to draw up a special ceremony, to be held on August 2nd^ — or another date suitable —the Associations being requested to send in a report to the World 's Committee of Y.M.C.A. 's, 2 Rue de Montchoisy, Geneva, Switzerland. "Little did those boys, who gathered round the first Tire of Friendship in Switzerland in 192J, realise that in less than 10 years Fires-of Friendship would be held in all parts of the world," states the booklet that has been prepared. "Such, however, was the case. Last year, when .the 13th Fire of Friendship was lighted on the night of August 2nd in Toronto, Canada, in connexion with the World's Assembly of Y.M.C.A. Workers with Boys, hundreds of other fires were being held simultaneously in different parts of the world.*' August 2nd, not being suitable for the Christchurch Y.M.C.A. a torch ceremony will be held on September 3rd.