Y.M.C.A. CONFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 213, 10 August 1918, Page 6

Y.M.C.A. CONFERENCE.

OPENS AT HASTINGS. The first session of the Hawke's Bay Y.M.C.A. District Conference opened last night in the Assembly ilall, the Mayor of Hastings pre sided and in welcoming the visitors on behalf of the borough, regretted the small attendance. He said the people of Hastings preferred the fireside to doing their duty. Ht hoped the result of the conference would prove a great success. Bev. P. Bamsay also welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Minis tars Association, and Mr. F. E. Barley, on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. Mr. H. W. Kersley, Wellington, chairman of the National Committee, replied on behalf of the visitors and complimented Hastings on its progressiveness. The speakers for the evening were Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., Hamilton, whose subject w T as “Filings that go to make a man,” and the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Auckland, whose subject was: “Untouched Fields and Latent Forces in the Rural District.” Both addresses were of an _ interesting and instructive description, the speakers keeping their hearers deeply interested throughout. Mr. Young said that during his brief stay he had been received witn kindness and expressions of goodwill, and hoped to return at no distant date and look through the country. He said that the most important topic was the value of man to the country. There were three phases of character, physical, normal and spiritual. The principal attitude was a good sound physical constitution. Tnere was the question of the exercise of the body and body cleanliness. Institutions had been established for the health of children and babies. He referred to the good work being done by the Plunket Society, and schools for physical culture. The war had brought home to them the physical defects of men. Reasonable means should be taken to remedy these defects. The moral phase was one for the training of mens’ mind, correct speaking and the* exercise of moral qualities. They should cultivate the habit of truthfulness, the practice of honesty and the practice of modestv and clean mindedness. The Y.M.C.A. stood for weil-de-veloped manhood. To produce a strong man the three sides of his, nature must be developed. the Y.M.C.A. by means of i.s gymnasium, sports and other healthy exercises assisted to tnis end. in tne production of a strong character attention must be given to tne mind, and here again the Y.M.C.A. playea an important part in the lite ot tho individual. By means of lectures, debates etc. it assisted m the deveiooment of the boys and youths mmds and intellects in the formative years of their lite. the Y.M.C.-A. helped man to help himself to render a benefit to the whole community. To-day Britain did not desire to destroy the German peopie but then freedom was being destroyed by the canker of militarism. He would not deal with the spiritual side as they had teacners for tnar. Man was not merely composed, <rt matter and mind, but also had a spiritual nature, and this side had also to be developed. Referring to the conference the speaker said . - great work wouid be an inspiration to the people. The war was revealin'’ - the cnaracter of men and nations. To uplift and make hie worth living for it was their du.y to help the movement o. tne

Y M C A. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds said the supreme test had come to the young manhood of our nation, and ad were woud to know that tney had come through that test They had shown themselves worthy oi tne highest traditions and nad added more laurels to the renditions oi our race. A test had come to the mothers and they had come through that test splendidly. It was tne great test of all time democracy. Uur men were now being tested <>n the bloodstained fields of France, but the issue was still undecided. The good news that had through that day gave them fresh hope. They knew wnat tne final decision would be, because we b heved in God. They muse not forget that the Germans were a great neople—they had greatness in evil as in goodness. They must not lose sight of the fact tnat tne Germans were a great people or else our combined forces would have crushed them long ago. They were great because or their social d velopment and their law of self. sacrifice. Unless the churcnes rem d£Jd greater social responsibilities bhe7would find themseives going ou/of business. To ensure gjeatei : efficiency they would have to set thek homes in order tne same a*. America and Canada were dom H . j The Y M.C.A. had been tried and : tasted Jid had stood the test and resoonded to the call, ihey were rendering the best service for oui Y.M;CA° had rendered the nation that of organising the community life It was only natural that when X’ boys came back they won Id for some similar service from Aeir organisation. It was encum . £nt upon them to make rural life attractive, something to attract the young men from the towns, healthy conditions. A modern se r ™® as vounß men of the ci y* e Y M S C A S could do useful service by lining to beautify the homes anti 3e the social conditions more attractive. The speaker W a ' 5 description ot tne assu the rAral boys and men of America, strongly adxocatun„ Adoption of a similar policy for nua ‘TW.AI-Vote "“anks «» the chair closed the first session. TO-DAY’S SITTING. y M C A. Conference opened Jfe.in <MS morning in ,he M»n>C H Bisson for Napier At !».»• -he »k » \ r r- a rev’ntrv work. non. w ®* in ’ R^ ne ß«mett‘ read an excelmen- Bev. oi. Maori U'.un'» l.m r»W’ Dr. W. H ggttXXM?-. hls gr “ I

lantern lecture on “The penis of early manhood” to men only. At 10 a.m. on Sunday a public fellowship meeting led by Mr. H. W. Kersley will be held in the Municipal Council rooms. The pulpits of tne various churches in Hastings and suburbs are to be occupied by various Y.M.C.A. delegates both in the morning and evening. At 3 p.m. a great mens meeting will eventuate in the Municipal Assembly Hall. At 3 p.m. Field Secretary R. Vance of Awapuni Camp wiTT speak to a united womens meeting in the Odd fellows Hall on a “Mother’s Influence. A boys meeting will be addressed at 4 p.m. in the Y.M.C.A. bv Mr W. E. Smith, General Secretary’of the Y.M.C..A.. Wellington on “Plaving the Game.” At B.la a big united after church service will take fl-ace in the Municipal Assembly Hall, when Feld Secretary W. J. Maines of Trentha.ru will speak. His subject will be “Mages.”