YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1740, 8 November 1862, Page 4

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL SOIREE,

The Seventh Anniversary of the Auckland YounS Men’s Christian Association was celebrated on Tuesday evening, Nov. 4th, by a Promenade Soiree in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, decorated for the occasion in a tasteful and pleasing manner with flowers and a profusion ol New Zealand vegetation. The attendance was very fair, though not as large, we think, as last year. The hall filled up, however, as the proceedings went on. The music was under the conduct of Mr. Joseph Brown, who presided at the pianoforte, the vocal parts being rendered with great effect by a choral party of ladies and gentlemen, who kindly volunteered their services for this occasion.

A blessing having been sung, tea was commenced at half-past six, and the excellent viands having been done full justice to by the assembled company, a short interval was allowed (or conversation, after which Dr. Bennett, President of the Association, took the chair, and opened the proceedings of the evening. He expressed the gratification which lie felt at meeting the association once more on tiiis festive occasion. He was thankful for it, because he scarcely expected to have been able to meet them again. He felt the sight of this meeting (though not as large as he had seen similar meetings) as restoring and invigorating to him both in mind and body. He was glad to see so many smiling faces around him, indicating the interest in the good cause which they felt, and that they were realizing lor themselves the measure of enjoyment which our good Father had been pleased to give us here below. These meetings of social intercourse and Christian friendship would help to make them feel that wisdom’s ways were not only ways of duty but ways of pleasantness and paths of peace. On former occasions they had two meetings—one for business and another for the soiree—but this year it had been judged advisable to unite the two in one, and, together with the characteristics of a soiree, they would have the Report and the financial statement laid before them, and resolutions moved and seconded. No association could have a more worthy object than this, tiie young men being the most important class of the community. He trusted he should not be considered as undervaluing the young women, and he suggested, as a matter deserving of serious consideration, the formation of a Y r oung Women’s Christian Association. He thought it would be practical and useful, not to making them “ strongminded women,” but that they might adorn the position in which God placed them. In the front of life’s battle, however, the young men had most to do, and the surest way to success was teaching them that “ the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and instructing them, with all their getting, to get that wisdom and understanding. Righteousness alone exaltcth a nation, and if they desired to see the foundation of their civil institutions laid firmly and securely, so as to bring God’s blessing upon them, the Bible must be the beginning and end of all authority, and from which no appeal. He trusted they would have a pleasurable and profitable meeting to-night, and took this opportunity of offering the thanks ot the association to Mr. Brown for the kindness and readiness with which he had, year after year, devoted his abilities to furthering the objects of the association. Mendelsohn’s chorus “ To God on high” was then performed by the choir, after which The Secetary (Mr. R. B. Shalders) read the following Report : Seventh Report of the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association. The period has again arrived when it becomes the duty of the Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association to lay before the public the condition, prospects, and usefulness of the Society. Your Committee are aware of the danger of reporting occurrences in too favorable a light; but they can honestly state that in no one year of the society’s history has so much good been effected as during the year that has passed, at the same time remembering that all blessing comes from God, and to whom they desire to ascribe all the praise. It is difficult, however, to include n a public report all that has transpired in connexion with a society like the present one, as all progress which is made associated more or less with the private history of individuals. But sufficient may be said to convince every person, not only of the advantage, but of the necessity existing for such an agency in a community like our own, one peculiar feature of which is its changing character. Young men arc constantly arriving and dispersing themselves in a brief space of time in various localities, to whom a word of counsel and encouragement is of great value. There are others who become permanent residents, and in order to aid in making both these classes useful members of society, it is absolutely necessary that means should be employed calculated to lead them to pursue such a course as shall secure their own prosperity, and induce them to contribute to the general welfare of others. To effect so desirable an end as this, your committee lias thought it advisable to instruct their assistant secretary to visit vessels on their entering the port, and to seek out young men, and to invite them to the gratuitous use of the library and rooms for one month after arrival. Eleven vessels have been visited during the past year, viz. The Northumberland, Mermaid, Gananoque, Robert Small, Queen of the North, Royal Charlie, African, Cashmere, Matilda Wattcnbach, Hanover, and the Romulus. In this way, above 350 young men have been personally invited, a large number of whom have availed themselves of the privilege offered to them ; many have expressed themselves in the strongest terms of grateful surprise that such an institution should exist in this remote portion of the world.* The following arc a few instances selected in proof of the usefulness of the society. Two respectable sea-faring • Most of those who remain Worn* perinauetit supporters of «li 9 insiilntipp*

young men from one of the vessels in port were indued during a short stay, to attend the rooms during evening. On their return to England, one of thp writes a most grateful letter to a friend connected the institution, expressing his sense, not only of ki ? ness shewn him, but also his conviction (to v* his own words), that it was reading and talking at A rooms which first led him to feel that he had a s i and that he ought to attend to its welfare. Anoti young man similarly situated, who had been a rn dissipated character, was induced to attend the reT l gious meetings of the association, who, on leaving th city, placed ss. in the hand of the person in charge f the rooms, as a humble thank-offering for the benefit 1 he had received. Two otheis are known to have r ceived special benefits from like attendance. Off instances in abundance could be cited, but these mnt suffice.

The number of members of the association is gn The number of subscribers to the institution is aon' The average daily attendance is above 50, and dorin the evening, especially after the arrival of the EngM mail, the rooms are not unfrequently inconvenient! crowded, between thirty and lorty persons being nftl seated round the table.

A valuable addition has been made to the library f 300 vols., a good portion of which have been presented by young men. WQ The number of books circulated during the nasi has been 2,700. y - ar

The essay and discussion class has excited considerable interest in the minds of the young mea connected connected with the institution. The number of those connected with it is about sixty,—the average ancc is above twenty.

The devotional meetings of the association have been well attended till of late ; the attendance bavin? decreased, owing mainly to the desire on the part of many young men to aid in the cause of temperance which society holds its meetings on the same evening’ The Sabbath afternoon Bible class has been abutt! dantly blessed to young men during the past year * about twenty have left to become Kabbath-school teachers, or to engage in other Christian work. The have, notwithstanding this, been well sustained, and an average increase may be recorded. The converting grace of the Spirit continues to be vouchsafed ; many young men have, through this agency been led to surrender their hearts to the service of the Saviour. Several young men have warmly expressed the regard they entertain towards the association, by entitling it their spiritual parent, and gratefully staVthat but for this association their welfare had been uncared for, or at least they would probably have wandered unknowing and unknown.

It has often come to the hearing of your committee that it has been said the young men do not care for their own interest, and that they who reap the benefit should provide the means. Now, your committee wish to say, that however these remarks might have applied during the early history of the association, when young men had to be taught the value of their own improverneut, they do not apply to the present year. Yoar committee desire to mention the following circumstances as proving that considerable zeal for, and appreciation of, the society has been shown One young man has induced twenty others to join the rooms. Another has given u liberal donation of books ; another of pictures; another of busts ; another a large historical map. But the most important of all is the attempt to pay off the debt of the association by taking ten shares in the Land Association No. 5. and making up the weekly sum of £1 necessary to the performance of the scheme. The members of the discussion and essay class are now contemplating a special subscription to enlarge the library. All these works are mostly done by young men ; and who will not add with emphasis, well don£ In consequence of the above effort in relation to the debt, your committee do not feel that they are in any way embarrassed in their financial circumstances, but are free to pursue the special work of the society—viz, the diffusion of useful information based on religions principles, and also to bring to bear such influencesas they may possess or can command, to lead young men to choose the favour of God as their portion. Bat your committee cannot conclude this rej>ort without expressing a deep feeling of responsibility which rests upon this association for the future. While they gratefully acknowledge much has been done, the field of labour is greatly increasing. One cannot walk oor streets, especially during the evening, and see the hundreds of young men, without feeling a solemn duty attaches to the Christian profession. The efforts of the past will not suffice for the coming year. Ydnr committee feel that as the number of young men increase, and temptations to sin increase, the efforts of this association should bear some proportion to them. Fresh schemes to reach young men more extensively must be executed, larger rooms must be built, more prayer offered, more zeal manifested, more money subscribed ; in short, true Christian earnestness must be practically exhibited. Your committee, therefore, afresh solicit, on behalf of the young men of this city, all that sympathy their cause deserve, and which they feel will abundantly repay to tlje drr k a happy experience of God’s approval. ;w Financial Statement from October to September 30th, 1862. INCOME. £ s. d. To balance in hand, October Ist, 1861, - 28 4 0 To Colonel Gore Browne - -- -- - 10 00 To Subscription to Library and ReadingRoom ---------- - 180 14 0 To Lecture Tickets - - - - - - - -24 116 To proceeds of Soiree, 1861 - - - - 15 14 6 To Mortgage Subscription .... 212 0 To Rent of Land and Room - - - - 22 7 6 To Sale of Periodicals ------ - 13 12 6 £297 6 9 EXPENDITURE. £ S. d. By Cash paid Mr. Russell - -- -- 618 0 By Periodicals, Newspapers, and Printing 63 13 0 By Mr. Jackson’s salary 85 00 By Mr. Fulncr’s do. - -- -- -- 40 00 By Ground Rent - -- -- -- - 10 00 By Firewood - 715 6 By Boat-hire - -- -- -- -- 170 By use of Odd Fellows’ Hall - - - - 717 0 By Interest on Mortgage ----- - 20 13 4 By sundry accounts, as per bills - --,5195 By ba’ance in hand - -- -- -- 213 0

£297 6 9 The liabilities of the Association, said the secretary, amounted to £l3O ; which in another year, if the number of subscribers was maintained, as they hoped it would be, and even increased, would become nil. Thc'-Kev. David Bkcce was then called upon to move ftie first resolution, “ That this meeting signify its cordial approval of the report now read, and that it be printed- and circulated under the direction of the committee.” He had much pleasure in moving this, and was glad to find the institution was in so healthy and prosperous a state. The balance in hand, though not large, was on the right side. He was glad to findt also, that in other respects the objects of the promoters of the Association had met with a large amount of success. The young men’s speculation in land might not be thought by some exactly the 'hing; but provided they did not go too far, a little in that way might be tolerated. He gave the contributors credit for generosity and self-denial, and wished them every success in their undertaking. With regard to calls *°r assistance, it must be borne in mind that colonists ha made up their minds to be dunned (laughter,) and M hoped the committee would bear in mind when t enlargement of the institution was determined on, tna resort to that practice was the only way to get mone out of the colonists. He had found this the case a the colonies over. When their plans were matureo, they might go forth with a bold heart, certain of su cess, and it would be sure to follow them. The nu her of actual members of tnc Association was no - large as he had expected. He supposed they mus take the blame of that to themselves, and they co not do better to-night than decide on some plan make this institution a real institution of the place. ; adopting the plan of that practical and skilful roa® of the Society, who had added twenty members in past year, they would soon have a very large mcr » and an increase in their numbers could very ' place without their suffering in quality and P° ’ provided, of course, that proper discrimination exercised. He thought it right to mention, now there was a great feeling existing in the cotnmum several quarters, that this Institution was too identified with one or more denominations, ft “ be the fault of the others that such was the case t ’ hear,) but he suggested that it would be wdu impression should be done away with, and t ; ' the present members to do it, by resolving to t , their ranks during the next year as much as p - from the denominations not so largely represe present (hear, hear.) Make it public!ly un _ that their wish was to increase their ranks m t and that there would be no attempt at prose j ’ and they would get a hold on the community un _ they bad not at present. Young men were a *they governable class of people, and somehow or o were soon lust hold of. They coon thought t te\ set up for themselves in Christian matters as we • business. Well, if they wished to have things ,< f or own way, let them. The cry now-a-days w vj self-government. He did not know how tna answer if applied to the ladies (laughter;) _ young men thought it desirable to take the meut of their Association into their own oa _ . would say# “ Do it, but see that you do it WWh

your charge an institution that nominally boi rrs to you, sec that you make that institution tell lO non the community in which you live, and sec that it ° braces as large a number of young men as possible.” looked to the young men of all denominations, and skeil them to take away the reproach in a largo mearo which had, with some degree of justice, fallen on 11 Christian communities. They saw some people !n<r to do good as if they were condemned, and afraid f° K how (heir faces. Why should this feeling prevail ? vverv one should know that if he conducted kimsclf hj Christian, he conducted himself as a man and a ntleinan. There should be no timidness nor senti8 e ta l pietism, but more of what had been termed m uvular Christianity; and if anything in the shape of m ts would go to developo this feeling of manliness nnd straightforwardness in them, it ought to be countenanced, and he was sure it would make them better Christian's, with more weight in the community than ther otherwise would have. He had great pleasure in proposing the motion read. F Mr Joseph Newman in seconding the resolution, ecially alluded to what had been said about denominations. This was the first time he had ever heard any such intimation that anything like denomitionism could be mixed up with an Association of this character. He had never witnessed any such feeling and was sorry any such idea should have got abroad' He had been for a considerable time connected with the Parent Society in London, and he had never there heard dcnominationlism mentioned. He had conducted Mr. Shalder’s Bible class on a Sunday afternoon, and never knew of what denomination any one of them was They had heard that the managers of the Asso-. elation wished to increase its power, and he trusted the voung men would give every assistance they could. Let them ask the Divine blessing to come with power pi their hearts, and their labor would not be in vain. And let them go about it with cheerfulness, as advised by Mr. Bruce. He had never known a gloomy or down-hearted looking Christian to effect any great thin''. Lot them show a social feeling, and a kindly welcome to new-comers, and they would never have to complain of any lack of members in connection with the Association. , . , , , , Mr. SIULDERS wished to make it clearly and publicly understood, that there had never been any denominational feeling entertained by tbc promoters of this Association. Ho disclaimed any intention of doing a single thing that would lead a young man* in connection with the institution to adopt a,iv principle which ho held in contradistinction to” oibers. All his labors in connection with the Association had been entirely of an unsectarian character, and he had always directed to their own places of worship any young men to whom he bad lent u helping hand. He bad never made a Baptist since he was in Auckland, hut universally exhorted all to come to Christ. If the Association comprised many Baptists and Wesleyans, and few Presbyterians, Churchmen, and Independents, it was not liis fault. If they stood aloof from this useful Society they must stand aloof; there could be no waiting for'anybody. They were determined to go on and denominations' must lag behind if they would. It was the moral and spiritual welfare of all that the Society sought, and that only that they meant to seek. He had long wished to resign the Secretaryship of the Association, in order that this idea of denominationism might be got rid of, and he had that purpose still; but he°had Jnot seen the young man to take his place. Now, however, he had his eye on a young man, and ho would endeavour to work him into the office if he could, and himself out of it. The Kev. M. Budce hoped the meeting would not understand that he was casting any imputations on the society whatever. Far from it; but he liked to have a thing out straightforwardly; and he thought it was due to the society to tell them what he knew was mentioned outside, though they might not hear of it. But if anything ho had said could be construed into a charge, he' was implicating himself as being partly to blame for that state of things. Mr. Skalders thanked Mr. Bruce for introducing the subject, and affording him the opportunity of disabusing the public mind of such a mistaken idea. The Chairman had understood Mr. Bruce as simply expressing a desire to recruit for the future year] more from those societies of which they hud least now. Mr. Shalders and Mr. Bruce really meant the same thing. The resolution was then put and carried; and the chorus “Sleepers Awake,” from the oratorio of St. Paul, was sung. Mr. W. Rattray, in moving “ That, as many young men arrive in the colony entirely free from home as*.>y, and arc in consequence sometimes tempted ini course of .ruinous dissipation, every means adojf- Budtreyent a result so adverse to their temporal and aiowejal well-being, is entitled to public sympathy and su.Yort;” said lie thought this resolution must carry with it conviction to every mind, It was sad to see the new-comer so often staggering through the streets, while others of them, destined for higher objects, went into the bush and sunk into a degraded condition. Anything that could, surely should be done to guard these young men, who, having lost the restraint of home associations had made one or two false steps and could not raise themselves; whereas if they had been taken by the hand by this Society in the way herg. represented they would not have been in that condition. He, therefore, most cordially and strongly recommended the motion to the good wishes of the meeting. Rev. Mr. Warren, in seconding the resolution said, the object of this institution was a noble one that must commend itself to all on moral, philosophical, philanthropical as well as religious grounds, and he had the utmost confidence in its ability to elevate the intellectual and spiritual character of the young men who enrolled themselves under its banner. A great philosopher and poet had said that the noblest study ot mankind is man; and a far higher authority told them that “For the soul to be without knowledge, it is not good.” Ignorance was destructive of the usefulness that ought to characterize the life of a Christian man. But it was the religious character of this institution that chiefly commended itself to his support. He had no confidence at all in the mere cultivation of the intellect to restrain, and much less to correct the natural depravity of human nature. The grosser it might restrain; but not really improve man s moral condition. This could only be effected by obtaining the wisdom that came from above, which the members of this Association were joined to assist each other in obtaining. There was something delightfully philanthropic in the mere idea of men thus associating to assist each other in securing their eternal interests; and this friendly intercourse of mind with mind, when based upon the word of God, must result in the greatest advantage to all. Though some of them undoubtedly were fallen into the sere and yellow leaf they were most of them young men, and he would impress upon their minds that this was the seed time, and if allowed to pass unimproved, future seasons would be barren and desolate. Especially he would like them to remember that it was also the seed time for eternity, and “ what- . .soever a man soweth that shall he also reap. ’ Soon they might be called to that eternity; and whatever they could now find to do in the cause of religion let them do it with all their might; catch the fleeting hour and improve the moments us they passed away and ultimately their reward would be great. Wishing the Christian young men of this Association God spjeed, he seconded the resolution already read. The Chorus, “ How lovely are the Messengers, from St. Paul, was then sung. Mr. P. H. Cornfokd rose to move the next resolution. Those who lived in times past always considered that they lived in remarkable times ; but wo, ho thought, might he said to live in peculiarly remarkable times. Remarkable indeed was the trifling and frivolity of the times. Surely there never was a time when so much was thought of things comic and humorous. He was afraid that their meeting to-night was denuded ot a large number, who might have attended, by an exhibition of this kind going on not far off. It would appear then that wo lived also in very comical times. They were times of conflict, conflict of the spirit of the world with the spirit of godliness, the spirit ot folly and vice with the spirit of seriousness and truth, and hence wo meet with a multitude of things which we might regard us peculiarly calling forth our energy and our protest: and the Young Men’s Christian Association had at least this before it: to stand banded together for the sake of Christianity—banded together m all that is spiritually advanced against all that is spiritually corrupting. Remarkable indeed was the wondliDCSS of the day and, lie might say, the place in which we live. Men having so much to do in the present Inc I were in danger of forgetting whttt they had to do m preparation lor the future. To maintain Christian spirit in opposition to this spirit of the world was l ic object of this Association. And they had muc i o fight against. Infidelity in our day had forgotten i s negative teaching and taken up a positive form, lC upshot of which was that man’s individuality was lost m one great scheme of education of the human race. _ us was the spirit of “ Essays and Reviews,” the idea vv uc i they would give us instead of the gospel. We tounci it at work to avast extent amongst professing un isthins, —men who will allow that any creed a moral goodness into their Christianity. Christ was represented to be a moral Saviour only whose examp o we were to profit by. These were remarkable matures of the present times which required special stu y, created a need for an especial moral, mental, ana spiritual training. It was au age in which men won only accept what could be best proved, a mattei o fact age, with a tendency to disbelieve everything miraculous and everything spiritual, because the existence of spirit cannot bo demonstrated. vYhj,. w m remained after taking away a personal God, persons

responsibility, and personal consciousness? Nothincr but the power o the world, the power of the flesh and ho power o the devil; the bands of socicS werc loosed. moral principles had no foundation left things shewed the necessity for the resolution placed m his hands; especially because, ns bad been LS the CfoSthT? t0 eVerythhl S in lhis ney found that everywhere around them youim men Scs VZf’ rf * t Cy " Cre the Sunny to So hlrr ‘f®-, lwry y° un e man had himself to give, had the whole power of his life to 'five Let hTs m w S or C ld 7 , I ' l r , tllCy WCrC not co,lforme d towards world mlltv -, dld - not min e le themselves witli the brc ,p!fl° lts s P' m . share its pleasures, or drink of IhlS Was , thc work thc .v had to do. Wishing every blessing on the Young Men’s Christian AssociaT , ’ .' e move{ k “ I hat tins meeting recognises the nuxssity ot the most strenuous efforts to diffuse sound pnneiples of mental and moral training amongst young men. (Applause.) b J ° . ie vev ,• A. Reid seconded the resolution. Ho bad just come from the bush. They bad powers of darkness to grapple with there, but something worse here tnan m the bush. They had too great a work to do in the world in winning souls to Christ, to have any time to spare to follow men into those dark ways into which Cod Almighty never intended us to wander. Wo had Gods own hook to guide us, which all those essayists and reviewers could not shake fora moment. Let those men enjoy themselves in their own way; they would soon weary if left alone; and let us go out with the secretary to the vessels and gather in the young men and tell them that they had better work to do than dabbling in those mysteries which God never intended them to dhbble in. God never intended man to discover or invent religion, or to gather it up from the elements of nature; but he keeps man by sight as a kind father, and instructs him personally in the great truth upon which his eternal welfare depends. Bind the Bible to our hearts'.and we might defy Essayists and Reviewers. Wc had too his holy spirit to guide and instruct ns in the meaning of the” Word; and a work to do which calls into action the noblest faculties of our being, and that work must be done speedily, and wo must Lc doing, not disputing. If there was" anything remarkable about this age, it was that it should” be an ago ot action. There was no time for disputing; and lie must confess that he had never heard enough said by those men to shake his faith for one moment. Ho could not sec what they were talking about, and did not think they could see it themselves. He would read the resolution. The word was “ training,” not “ teaching.” That was good. Young men were not to lie taught merely, but put in harness and made to work; and lie heard of one who had worked well, who had brought twenty young men into the Association. He would say to every member of the Association, during tlie current year, “go thou and do likewise.” (Applause.) It was when they were doing their duty that men felt happy, and he thought that young man must have felt very happy. There was hopefulness in dealing with young men. Teaching children was like writing on the sand, and old men, like writing on granite, which required a very hard instrument to mark it; but, with young men, there was a plastic nature which received an impression, with a consistency sufficient to retain it when made, as wax an impression made when melted. It was a glorious consideration connected with this training that Christ was the trainer. They were in his school felloe-workers with him, necessitated to suffer with him here, that they might be happy with him hereafter. If they could only realize, in all its satisfying nature, the promise, “ Heirs of God and join theirs with Christ,” the fun and frolic givers might go elsewhere. lie would not say to any young man, “ Don’t go here, or don’t go there;” but lie would say, “ Come, woik with Christ, and be glorified with Him.” God grant that everyone present might experience that in its fullest possible sense. The resolution was then put from the chair, and carried. Air and chorus, “ Oh thou that tellest.”

The Rev. Thomas Huddle, in moving, “ That tbc best thanks of this meeting bo glvon to the lecturers,” said he thought tin’s resolution ought to have been placed in the hands of some of the young men connected with this this Association, so us to show the manner in which they had appreciated tlie lecturers. He had, however, great pleasure in proposing it, hoping at the same time that it would not lie said that the Wesleyan denomination was preponderant this evening. It looked rather suspicious, and, lie must confess, he I felt a little delicacy, especially after the remarks which had been made to-night; but he was sure no one would accuse Dr. Bennett of anything like sectarianism (bear, hear); and lie was sure it would bo acknowledged by those who had known them long that Mr. Reid and Mr. Warren were equally catholic in spirit. (Cheers.) Of himself he had only to say that lie loved all good men. He loved, and hoped by tlie grace of God, to live and die a Wesleyan Methodist; but there was something he appreciated still higher—our common Christianity—those great truths upon which our faith rested, connected with the cross of our divine Redeemer. He trusted then that nobody would say the Wesleyan clement was in tlie ascendant in tlie Association. He trusted they would take tlie hint given by Mr. Brace, and endeavor to sock an extension of Christian influence, connected with all Christian denominations, and deserving of this noble and useful Association. The report read to-night was a noble and encouraging report; and lie trusted young men would attend to tlie hints given by Mr. Reid to-night, to give more attention to the work of Christ than to their discussion classes and other such matters. He did not in tlie least wish to throw cold water on those things, hut he meant to say that the best thing of all, and tlie great thing to which they were called, was to lead souls to Christ. He had not had tlie pleasure of hearing many of the lectures. He had heard an excellent and practical one by Mr. Macfarlane on “ Crime,” and another very elaborate, powerful, and elegant lectin c from his friend Mr, Cornford on Essays and Reviews and, he thought if some of those authors had been in the Brunswick Hall when he delivered it. they would not have slept much that night. (Applause). He had no doubt, from the lecturers names, that the other lectures year, by the ladies on tlie occasion of this soiree were excellent and valuable; and lie could most confidently therefore present this resolution to the meeting. Mr. Fletcher seconded the resolution. He had heard several of the lectures, and he was sine all the young men of the Association would join with him in thanking the gentlemen who delivered them. As one of tlie committee he would mention that it was not easy to fill up tlie lists of lectures; and they felt much obliged to any reverend or lay gentleman who would kindly accept the offer they made to him, and become one of their lecturers. In general he had a sort of contempt for votes of .thunks, but be seconded this resolution with a hearty good will, being confident that lie was not perpetrating a sham. Mr, J, Jackson came forward, amidst cheering, to move “ That tbc best thanks of this meeting he given to the ladies, who have so kindly contributed to this evening’s entertainment.” Ho was sure that every L'entlcinan present would cordially assent to that resolution. (Applause). He felt conscious of his ability to do it justice; but, there was one advantage which be did possess, and it was this,-a personal knowledge of the considerate kindness, tlie real and chceiful willingness to suffer personal inconvenience which invariably characterised tlie assistance rendered, year by (applause); and he could assure them, it was one of the most pleasant recollections connected with the meeting in his own mind. -'The days of ancient chivalry were past. Young knights did not now go forth to right the wrong, deliver the oppressed, and defend the spotless reputation of fair ladies; but tbc feeling of chivalrous deference for the gentler sex, which so prominently characterised the dawn of modeln civilization, he believed still existed even m this mat-ter-of-fact age, and in this commercial and moneygrubbing city. (Applause and laughter). He was proud to believe that this deference for the sex, tins desire to render honor to those to whom they were so greatly indebted, existed as strongly and as purely m tlie minds of tlie young men connectcdwitlihisAssociation us in any otl.er community in the woild. He was now going to propose to the ladies. (Great «nd continued laughter and applause). Was he to under stand by this continued clapping that the ladies would not allow him to propose to them. He was determine! that he would—(renewed laughter and applause?) propose a vote of thanks to them for their kindness, m the assistance- they had given to tins meeting, , wne i, might add, was so like themselves. (Applause). Mr. Shalders seconded the resolution, which Mas then put from the chair, and carried. Mr Shalders then moved, “ That the best thank of the’ meeting be given to Mr. B;;own friends, for their aid this evening.’ Hhe simp }an op ted the language used by tlie Chairman at tlie commencemcrn of the evening, it would be better than he could do it himself. This was tlie seventh time Mr, Brown had so assisted them. . The Rev T. Buddle had great pleasure m sayn „ ditto to all that had been said about tl.c.r musical *** Mr Shalders then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman. They felt grateful for tlie deep interest he had taken in the Association, the advice and encouragement which he had given them at all times, and Ids kindness in presiding at every important meettU Urn Rev. Mr. Warren, and carried by a ° T ho* *ll afl'c Inj ah chorus was then sung, all standing, and the Benediction having been pronouncedl by c . Mr Warren, the proceedings terminated, all bui e bigiilv satisfied with, their evenings entertainment*