YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealander, Volume XVII, Issue 1570, 4 May 1861, Page 7

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

„ The sl.\th Annual Meeting of the Association Was, held pn TTiduy evening last, the 19th inst, *t the Odd bellows* Hall, which was attended by a considerable number, of,its members, subscribers, and friends. The Chair was occupied by Dr. Bennett, the President of the Association, who, in a short a appropriate address, commented upoil its 111 ‘i and Christian character, and the amount of good which it has already secured to many ofthe young

men of this city. Prayer having been offered by the Rev. A. Macdonald, Mr. Shalders, the Secretary, then read the following ; , REX'OUT. The culture of the heart, as well as the development of the mind, is made singularly dependent on a diligent use of means—(but the regulating of the affections require, if possible, a greater amount of care and attention than mental faculties, on account of the continual bias of the heart to that which is Both of these being included in the design of the Young Men’s Christian Association, your Committee are deeply impressed with the amount of responsibility attaching to their efforts. While the cultivation of the mental faculties is by no means to be disregarded, it is of supreme importance that such knowledge should be acquired as begets the fear of God—for, however great the mental attainments arrived at, they will be eclipsed by the more glorious revelations of eternity ; but holiness of life will be perpetuated in the legions of light and love, and find its true vent m heavenly exercises* , While your Committee led their responsibility in carrying on a work designed to accomplish Mich momentous ends, they cannot record the details of much that is accomplished, —for it is obvious that in so small a community, where every young man is known, it accords more with the feelings of such that they should not publicly be personally referred to. It is also clear that much that is done cannot be known till the secrets of all hearts will be revealed, when every result will be traced to the agency employed in effecting it, and every fraternal persuasion and friendly caution, every’ timely warning and generous act, every feeling ot sympathy and earnest prayer, in short every act for Christ will meet with its appropriate ‘ \\ ell done from the great Redeemer and rewarder of men, whose command now is, “Go work to-day in my vineyard, and whatsover is right that shall yc receive . The obedience of love is a first Christian duty irrespective of the harvest: for the command is, also, la the morning sow thy r seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether it shall prosper, either this or that, or whether both shall be alike good.” But for special encouragement it is stated, “ In due season yc shall reap, il ye faint not. Although Your Committcecannot, for reasons already stated, refer to every particular in their labours, it gives them pleasure to be able to state that fruit is constantly resulting from their efforts. The past has furnished a larger number of instances of good than any preceding year. The minds of many young men have been instructed ; habits of sobriety formed ; the lives of several young men have been consecrated to the service of God ; the tongue of the swearer lias been attuned to Givi’s praise, and lips hitherto unaccustomed to prayer are now often heard engaged in that exercise ; hearts once hard have been softened by the genial influence of the Gospel ; and seed long since sown has this year sprung up and borne fruit to the glory of the Saviour. The Secretary also reports he has received several letters from the parents of young men expressive of their gratitude for the. timely aid rendered to their sons, so that an intimate correspondence has sprung up with persons wholly unknown to him in person. The mothers of sonic have also poured out their gratitude in terms of the most affecting description, two of which communications were accompanied with mementos of a mother’s gratitude, and others, who had heard of the existence of this Associaiion, have wept as they have parted with their beloved ones, clinging to the assurance that the hand of Christian sympathy would be extended to them, and that friends worthy of their confidence would cheer and direct them in this far offland. Your Committee refer to results such as these (without desiring to make any parade of their doings) as clearly proving the advantage of such an Association, and also as affording them ground on which they can .fairly solicit an increased support from the public. They desire, however, to feel that God alone can prosper their work : they therefore ask the prayers of every true Christian that they may yet ho made a greater blessing to this community, and that while grace abounds to them glory may redound to the praise of the Redeemer who alone is worthy of the homage of all created beings. The operation of the Society have been similar to those of proceeding years, viz., Lectures, Bible class, Devotional meetings. Library and Reading Rooms, Discussion and Essay classes, &c. The Lectures have been attended with their accustomed success, and your Committee desire to record their high appreciation of the services rendered to the society by the gentlemen who have contributed to this portion of their operations. The Bible Class has of late not increased in numbers owing to the circumstance that a greater number than usual have left to engage in Sabbath schools ns teachers. But a large average attendance has been secured, a greater interest manifested, and more pleasing results than in any preceding year. The Devotional Meetings of the Society during the past year have much increased in numbers, interest, and profit. The Sabbath morning prayer meeting which was held once a month, is now held every week and with greater success, the monthly devotional meeting at which exhortions arc delivered, arc still held as usual the second Friday in each month, with much advantage. The Library ami Reading Rooms have also been sustained with much benefit to the subscribers, the number of which is 300. The number of books circulated has been 1800. Remarks explanatory of the nature and objects of the Society have been printed and circulated during the year, and are now reprinted in this report for general information. Your Committee have also pleasure in stating that an unknown friend of the Society has placed at their disposal the sum of twenty t-nincas for the best Essay on the “Moral welfare of New Zealand,” to which your Committee heve added the further sum of five guineas as a prize for a second best essay on the same subject, the prizes will this evening be presented, as follows: Ist Prize, Mr. Buller

2nd Prize, Mr. Jackson -an excellent essay, highly commended by the adjudicators, has also been received from “Excelsior,” of Mclson, and pronounced as worthy of some remuneration, if the Committee could appropriate any funds to that purpose. Your Committee beg to be permitted to convey to Dr. Bennett, their esteemed President, their high sense of obligation for his valuable services, not only as Chairman of their meetings, (a position he is admitted universally to fill with unwonted ability and satisfaction) but for the counsel he has so frequently afforded them in times of peculiar difficulty, and also lor the literary contributions he has from time to time so cheerfully rendered which have given so much pleasure and advantage to those who have been privileged to hear them. You Committee have now, for the first time, to record the death of one of its office-bearers, and they feel themselves colled upon by a sense of duty, obligation, and sympathy, to refer with solemn feelings to the departure of their late friend and esteemed vicepresident, Mr. Win. Gorrie, who was one of the Society’s fiist and most active supporters, but whom, from the infirmities of age and decline of hcaltI’, 1 ’, lias of late been compelled to retire from much active service in the Society’s doings, but whose interest by enquiry and pecuniary aid have been evidenced. \our Committee desire to make this acknowledgment of his late valuable services, and also to express their heartfelt sympathy with the remaining portion of the family under their bereavement. In conclusion, your Committee desire gratefully to acknowledge the various aids that have been afforded them and earnestly hope that their present success is but an earnest of greater things to come, they ask an enlarged Christian sympathy and prayer, and would urge upon every true Christian young man who desire to serve his fellows, to join the Society in its labours of love, and to such young men as have not availed themselves of the privileges afforded by this Society they would say use diligently every available opportunity of advancement, otherwise the very privileges by which you now are surrounded will bo your rebuke, and above all seek that wisdom which cometh from above and which alone can prepare for eternal blessedness. The year through which your Committee have passed has been one of great anxiety and depicssion, arising from the present unhappy circumstances of the Colony, but pray that the trials of war which have so disturbed the peace of an adjoining Province, and produced such a sympathetic depression in this, may speedily be removed, and that prosperity in c\ei} department may attend us in our future bistoiy. The llev. G. Staunard moved the adoption of the Report in a speech of considerable fervour and piety. 11a said it was the Christian principles upon which this Association was based that induced him to ask the co-operation of all parties in its favour. It affords a noble means of contending against the evils which pervade society. It stimulates its members to mental culture, and secures to them the means of a better acquaintance with the truth contained in that Book which is the fountain of all true knowledge. The Association is successful in uniting young men in the bonds of Christian fellowship without the force of any sectarian influence. He most cordially moved the adoption of the Report. Rev. J, Gorrie, in seconding the motion, said that this Association benefitted young men on their arrival in this Colony, by providing them

the means of securing their intellectual, moral, and religious advancement in society. The motion was put to the meeting by the Chairman and carried unanimously. Rev. J. Thornton moved the following resolution : “ That the moral aspect of the age and the peculiar circumstances of young men in the Colony call for more fervent praver and enlarged zeal on the part of the Youn" Men’s Christian Association, while they present an urgent claim for Christian liberality and support towards a Society sustaining so important a department of the work of C hrist. He said he thought there could bo no difference regarding the generous spirit which breathes in the resolution, for it directs itself to the benefit of that class of society which is more likely to come under its influence—he meant our young men. There may exist a difference respecting the amount of usefulness which this Association is .it present capable ot performing ; but he hoped the future would find its powers of operation considerably enlarged. He knew that the Association had been instrumental in effecting much good for more than one young man, who have since found a resting place and a rock upon which they can rest for the life which is to come. Our young men are exposed to many temptations in a colony from which at home they are exempt. Here they have no restraint, and being their own masters, they can do as they like. It is at this particular period of their lives that this Association comes to their aid as a friend and guide, and under these circumstances it is of the countenance and support of every Christian man. Mr. dagger in a long and well delivered speech seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Chairman said that ho had now to perform the pleasing duty of presenting the prizes to the successful candidates. He stated that the first prize (of 20 guineas) for an Essay on “ Ihe moral welfare of New Zealand” had been awarded to Mr. Walter Buller, and the second prize (of 5 guineas) to Mr. John Jackson. A third Essay (emanating from Nelson) had been very highly commended by the adjudicators. Ho stated that the gentlemen who acted as judges, in awarding the nrizes, were the Revs. I). Bruce, J. hj • Mandeno, J. Gorrie, and Mr. Maherly. The Chairman then handed the first prize to the successful competitor (Mr. Walter Buller), and addressed him in kind and complimentary terms, which elicited warm applause from the meeting. He referred to the circumstance of Mr. Duller being “a son of the soil,” having, he believed, been horn in New Zealand, and to the fact of his being the son of a Missionary (the Rev. James Buller), who had long and successfully laboured amongst both the Native and European inhabitants of the Colony. Thus there were, so to speak, by birth and by inheritance,, peculiar claims on him to exert "himself to advance the “moral welfare of New Zealand,” —claims which he (the Chairman) trusted he would practically acknowledge wherever, mid in whatever, position he may he placed, Mr. Buller spoke as follows in acknowledgment :

Sir, allow me to thank you for the very kind manner in which you have expressed yourself; and let me at the same* time thank this meeting for the very goodnatured spirit they have evinced towards me. Sir, I feel myself placed this evening in a very delicate position. You understand my meaning, Sir, and I trust therefore that both you and this meeting will accord me some indulgence. (Cheers.) Had L to speak on some other more congenial subject, I might, though not much in the habit of addressing public assemblies, have succeeded in stringing together a few coherent sentences, but when my subject is myself and my humble Essay, 1 confess I feel myself tongue-tied. lam free to admit that when the announcement reached me yesterday that my Essay was the successful one, I felt somewhat gratified, yet I am sure, Sir, you will believe me when I say that had it been otherwise I should have been the first to grasp the hand of the successful competitor and offer him my heartiest congratulations. I should then have regarded the pleasure derived from the composition of the Essay, in itself sufficient compensation for the labor bestowed upon it. I think, however, it is due both to myself and to my Essay, to state that the time I was enabled to devote to its preparation was very limited. My time being otherwise engrossed, I had no intention of writing till within a fortnight of the expiration of the term allowed by the Committee, and during the time that I was engaged upon it mv time was very much absorbed by my official duties; so*that I was not able to give that undivided attention to this subject which its importance seemed to demand. However, I have every reason this evening to be satisfied with the result. And now, Sir, as the successful competitor, T claim the exercise of a little privilege, and that is, to make a suggestion to the Committee in reference to another Essay. I should like, Sir, to see a prize—a good round prize, say £so—offered to the competition of the voung ladies of New Zealand. 1 will not venture to indicate the subject for their essay, as I think this had far better be left to the consideration of a committee of married Indies. (Laughter and cheers.) I am sure this meeting will unite with me in the opinion that the competition would be a brisk one, and that the committee would find themselves fairly inundated with most interesting essays. There would be little difficuftv. Sir, in raising the funds necessary for the purpose, for I think we may safely assume that every unmarried man in this Association would gladly contribute to if. (Laughter.) Nothing remains for me. Sir, but to thank you again for your kind courtesy this evening, and to offer, through you, to the Young Men’s Christian Association my best thanks for the honor they have conferred upon me.

The Chairman next, amidst the loud and cordial applause of the meeting, handed the second prize to Mr. J. Jackson, whom, he said, he knew sufficiently well to believe that be did not envy the essayist who had obtained the first prize, hut that, in this, ns in bis varied labours as Assistant Secretary, he was actuated by zeal, fidelity, and a simple straightforward and selfdenying desire to do good. Mr. Jackson briefly returned thanks, and then proceeded with much earnestness to urge on the young men in the audience the duty of personal exertion to promote the spiritual welfare of their fellows and of the community. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, —moved by Mr. S. 11. Smith and seconded by Mr. Sbulders,