YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5419, 31 March 1879, Page 3

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the memberswas held on March 2S, in the rooms of the society, Albert-street, —Colonel Haultain (president) in the chair. The Secretary (Mr. T. Buddie) read the minutes of the last general lueetiug, which were confirmed; also, the annual report, from which we take the following : —"In presenting the report for the year now past, the Committee of Ma are truly thankful that at length they are enabled to come before the members freed from the morfgage debt which has been the burden of so many previous reports, and they take this opportunity of acknowledging the goodness of God, whose favour has been manifest throughout the year, and especially with reference to the efforts made to clear the association fPorn this debt. The appeal so earnestly set on foot by Dr. tiomerville Ins met with a willing and heirty response from al' who have be-n apu'iVl to, and has resulted iu raising £1,0-0 It iz meet, therefore, that w- shiut' I render c'\ nks to Him wh«> is the Giver o f G-jod, for the success that has attended thia effort—an effort sustaiued by much prayer aud m dependence upon His aid. The number of sub cribers on the rolls is 270, 30 less than last year. The deoro .se is read.ly accounted for, from the fact that there have been no material ari.iit:oii3 to the library, the committee not having funds wherewith to purchase new bonks. Tnere have been IS members added, aud the numb r now is 100. The issue of books from the library has not averaged so well as last year, having been abiiut 400 per month, instead of 500. In order to keep up the interest iu this department, frequent purchases of now books must be madu. A printed catalogue would be of great service. The reading-room is supplied with the leading papers and periodicals as far as funds will admit. The Lecture and Social Meeting* Committee arranged the usual course of lectures, which were fairly attended. The lectures wcie by Count de Z.ibn, Mr Jcsiah Martin, C.donel Haultain, Kev. A. W. Webb, Kev. D. Dutton, Mr. Larkins, Pev. T. Buddie, Bi-hop Cowie, Mr, Ewington, and Rev. C M. .Nelson, to whom the committee takb this opportunity of tendering their thanks. At the last annual meeting it was resolved that admission to tlie lectures should be a privilege included in the usual annual subscription. It was then thought that the inducement this offered would result in such a large increase of members that the income of the association would not suffer in coutequence. The reverse, however, has proved to be the result, the proceeds from the lecturcs having this year falleo short of previous years by about £20, while the roll of subscribing members has not materially increased. The committee would rec>>muicnd a return to the former practice of making a separate charge for admission to the lectures. The results of the thea v re services were most encouraging. The evaugeiistic meetings on Thursday evenii>gs. aud the Biblo readings on Saturday evenings are wel* attended. A high compliment was paid to Mr. Blomfield and the choir for their se r vices, also to Mr. Brackenrigg, the City Missionary agent. The depot of the Sunday School Union and British aud Foreign Bible Society depot are located in the Society's building. Being now free from debt the committee believed the time had come when the Society should enter thoroughly upon all branches of its work." The Treasurer read the fiuancial statement, as follows : — I'IIOPfUTY ACCOUNT. £ s. d. To balance ydMr.. .. .. .. 62 13 8 'I o principal and ialerest .. .. .. 913 17 9 To repairs, gas, <fcc 85 1Z 7 Total £,1002 4 0 £. s. d. T*jr special receipts (debt fund) .. .. SC2 5 2 By i«nt* 156 9 0 By debit balance -• .. .. 43 9 10 Total £1002 4 0 AS2»" *"7AYIOX ACCOUNT, £.. S. <L To special agent ano librarian .. ~ 260 15 0 To pa*. library, &c. .. 177 11 10 Cash on band.. .. .. .. .. 255 ToUl £410 12 11 £ s. d. Py balance list year.. .. .. .. 31 17 11 By contributions to special ajent .. 107 5 6 By subscription?, &c. .. .. 213 5 9 Debit balauce 2S 3 9 Total £440 12 11 Mr. Thomas Macffaklane moved the adoption of the report. He entirely agreed with the recommendation that the pssociatkm should set vigorously to work. He thought the Congregational Association, while doing their work, should aid the Young Men's Christian Society to the utmost extent of their ability. He paid a high compliment to Mr. Brackenrigg. The report racommeDded that they should have a secretary. Mr. Brackenrigg had shewn himself a most energetic and useful officer. Mr. J. L. Wilson seconded the motion for adopting the report and balance-sheet. It was most gratifying to hear that the association was out of debt. They might now extend their sphere of usefulness without the incumbrauce they had been obliged to struggle against. But they had still much to do. The library must be kept up to its proper standard. That was but one branch, and not the most important branch, of the work of the association. They should all work as if the coming yaar was to be the last they would have to work. It was no trifling matter to undertake the task of bringing in young people, who were the proper objects of such an organisation. This society had no denominational preferences. It was open to all and for all. Even the Churches themselves applied their attention their own members, but the iToung Men's Christian Associan embraced the members of all Churches. Mr. Ewington also expressed his satisfaction that the institution was free of debt. He thought it was mainly indebted to Mr. Joseph Newman for this result. When the committee were almost inclined to give up in despair, Mr. Newman told them, to hold on, and encouraged them in every way. (Applause.) Mr. Shaldrr?, as founder of the society, also congratulated the association upon attaining freedom from debt. He hoped the committee would renew their efforts to do all the good such an institution was capable of accomplishing. It was unanimously resolved, that the report and balance-sheet be adopted, and printed for circulation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President. —Mr. Frederick Larkins was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year. Vice-Presidents. —The Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, the Revs. Carrick, Webb, Morley, Taylor, Long, Robinson, Btxddle, Hill, Bond, and Mason, Colonel Haultain, Messrs. Daldy, Macffarlane, Newman, Wilson, Battley, Holdship, Goldie, Owen, and Coupland were elected vice-presidents. Com.y:iitee.—The following were elected th.B committee of the association :—Messrs. Hemus, S. Parker, C. Blomfield, F. G. Ewington, T. McMaftters, C. Major, J. Buttle, T. Blomfield, J. Tattersall, W. Callend ir, E. J. White, J. Masky, A. C. Steel-, J. B. • Williams. Mr. T. Buddle, in proposing a vote of thanks to Colonel Haultain, the retiring president, said that gentletnan had never missed a committee meeting. A vote of thanks was passed to Colonel Haultain by acclamation. THANKSGIVING MEETING A thanksgiving malting (the Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell in the chair) was held afv:r the business meeting, during which oho members were addressed' by . the Itev. Mr., Hill-on 41 Thanksgiving," and by the.kev. Mr. Webb on "Giving." There was.a good choir in attendance, under Mr. Blomfield, who sang several " sacred songs and solos," in the intervals of prayers by the Rev. T. Buddie, the Kev. Mr. Bond, and Mr. Hemus, The proceedings terminated with the bene* diction, pronounced by the Chairman.