THE Y.M.C.A.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 152, 13 June 1911, Page 5

THE Y.M.C.A.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —One who styles himself I “Secularist” is puzzled to know the ins and outs of the Young Men’s I Christian Association. If he is to understand these things that per- ; plex him so much as to drive him I to point, then let him come a little i closer. There is really no other | way of coming to understand these contradictions. I would remind I “Secularist” of the true saying, ! “Woe to the man who does at the | least contradict himself once a I day.” Where there is contradic- | tion there is effort, something Said i or done ; there is, in fact, life. NaI ture, science, philosophy, morality, I religion, have each their inconsis- | tencies. If they had not then they | would not have gone very far, and I would not mean very much. It is because the Y.M.C.A. is trying to act, and to act greatly ; to mean, I and to mean much, that it seems to be inconsistent. This is surely better than to stand aloof and carp and cavil and find fault, and remain mean and cramped and dwarfed and ignobly consistent. Faultfinding and raising difficulties never accomplish anything. When Columbus set out from Seville in his small sloop there were many who only saw difficulties and even stupidity in the attempt to discover a continent. What reasons and objections the small minds and souls could give off were put to show why he should not sail! He went, and lo! there are the teeming cities, vast industries, and rich harvests of the America of to-day. Little secularists never discover anything, not even how little they are. Not even a little islet do they add to the world’s possessions. To try to find even such might show some inconsistency, and it is much better to show nothing, at all events, it is much easier. Come a little closer, Mr. Secularist, and learn that the Y.M.C.A. is seeking to stand for something catholic, comprehensive, universal for man; for man without the limitations of the various dogmas. It is going to have Christ as Centre and Head of all, because He is the only universal and catholic personage yet discovered. It is not going to ask about an unbroken chain of bishops, though you can believe that if you can, though no one has ever proved it. You will not be asked to believe in an infallible Church, though you can if you like, though there is no such thing. Those at the head of it crown Jesus King and Lord, but the secularist can come in and share the benefits of the institution, though he can’t rule, for it is Christian inspiration that is founding it. Now come closer and do something, and the contradictions may seem less formidable. The fog on the hills make sheep look like cattle. Get closer, and they are only sheep.— I am, etc., C. COLUMBUS.