Y.M. C. A.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 19 April 1907, Page 4

Y.M. C. A.

INAUGURAL MEETING, 'Last everting th*e Nelsofi branch of 1 1 tite Y.UjQ.A.- held its inaugural maet- 1 J ffig iri fcha f6om in Hardy-street abov<3 the Go-operative Society'^ premises, there was a very largi: attendance, ( ill- j dicatifig the great public interest tanefl in the re-forriiation of the Nelson , branch. The Rev. C. H, Oarlarid pre- \ 1 sided. | 'Pbs meeting opened with prayer by the BijVi . J; Crump. _ ' I Apologies w'.ere' received from the Majfor (Mf J. Piper),. Mr J. H. CocF(who i "forwafdefl 'i deflation of three guineas), the Rev. S. Jenkfn, aria M»s*rft W, S. Hampson and G. Edwards. The Rev. C. H. Garland (president), after expressing his plea- ; sure at welcoming such a large number, announced that up to dote the Association had enrolled 40 active. 28 associate, and 34 honorary members. The contributions from these members would amount to £62, but it would take £120 to run the Association for the first year. The assistance of any disposed to help financially would be welcomed, and the could assure them ihat any 1 contributions received would ii'a well spent ,and the donor would have no reason" to regret the assistance given. Passing on the objects of the Y.M^C.A. and the work it could do, Mr Garland said, the V.M.C.A. was a church without a minister, its objects being to make strong, healthy, Christian, stalwart young manhood. jlr . Thomas Field, senr., said the 'attendance miist Be" .Vary gratifying to the young men. For many years he had been President of the old branch of the Association. Gradually that branch had dwindled away; but he trusted that the new branch would flourish, and that the young men would take np the work earnestly. While in Canada aiid America he made it a point to call on the branches of the. V.M.C.A. in each place he visited, and he instanced the case of Winnipeg, which 30 years ago. was an outpost station of the Hudson Bay Company, but was no\ a beautiful city, jvith a branch of £he V.M.C.A. so strotia that it had 200 bedrooms. He emphasised Ihat the Association was for young men, and young men must carry it on, though the older people would assist financially. He trusted that the Nelson branch would have the blessing of God. Mr J. J. Franklyn said his heart was with the youth of to-day, because they were the men of the future. They wanted a sturdy young manhood. There was an idea that a Christian young man was a monstrosity — half a lady and half a man ; but there was such a thing as muscular Christianity, and" it was possible for a Christian young man to be the embodiment of all that was good and true. He hop« 3 the Association would consider ihe "parlorless" young men, and that it would not become too "toney."- Those rooms should be a home for young men who now paraded, the streets, and should be made so attractive tkat tkey would counteract the gambling house, the billiard room ,and other questionable amusements. | Songs and recitations were given at intervals during the. evening, the programme being as follows -.—Song, "Will o' the Wisp, Mr H. f Kidson ; piano solo, "Vaise Chromatique," Miss E. Coote; song, "The Riderless Steed," Mr Steadman; recitation, "The Welsh Classic," Miss F. Coote, encore "An Incident in Camp Life"; song, "The Dear Homeland," Miss Hall ; song, "The Sailor's Grave," Mr E. Richards; recitation, "Yachting atf Millport," Mr Sheriff, encore "The Christmas Goose." Miss Coote accompanied the singers. | Mr Laing moved a hearty vote of thanks to all who had assisted with the programme, and this was carried by acclamation. i Refreshments were partaken of, being handed round by a number of the young men. | The President announced that there j would be a meeting of those wishing to ' join the gymnasium at 7.30 on Friday | evening. On ' Sunday morning at 10 j j o'clock there would be a devotional , meeting, and Mr Blamires would give • an address at 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. Mr Garland also stated that the rooms had been taken for 12 j months, and it was hoped that in a year's time the Association would be in ; a position that would justify a moveI ment in the direction of having! a , building of its own. i The very pleasant meeting wn* t hroiii-'i't to a close with the sin.n.'. »1 tbe Nutionnl Anthom. j I _^ «• — ■ ■" f