EXETER HALL JUBILEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6099, 4 June 1881, Page 7

EXETER HALL JUBILEE.

1 Some time ago, a number of private gentlemen subscribed £5000 each, and purchased this hall. The purchase was primarily made for the Young Men's .Christian: Associati6D, but with the design of- providing, in lan altered form, for, the usual anniversaries and meetings of the various i missionary Va'nd other societies. Considerable:; nlterati6ns and improvements have been made. On Tuesday, 29th. of March, the restored and renovated hall was the jubilee" was held.' The' wide spread interest felt iin this enterprise is indicated by the tact that while the hall accommodates but 3000, about 10,000 applications werti made for tickets. Long before the hour for opening the doors large crowds assembled in the Strand and in Exeter-street. The great hall was filled, the gallery at the end being occupied entirely'by young men. The platform was thronged; by ministers of the various evangelical' denominations. The Earl of Shaftesbury occupied the chair, having .on his right tho Archbishop of Canterbury, and on his left Earl Cairns and the Lord Mayor, while near him were Lord Mount Temple, Lord Radstbck, Bishop Terry, Sir Thomas Chambers, MVP., General Field,. C,B + Admiral Sir A. C. Kay, and a host of others, whose names are well-known. Prebendary Wilson having asked God's blessing on the re-openea hall (we may note that his father, afterwards - Bishop of. Calcutta,.; presented the opening prayer in tho new hall fifty years ago). The Rev. W. Aitken read the 100 th Psalm, which the whole assembly joined in singing. Mr.- George Williams, founder of the Young Men's Christian Association, made a brief statement. Mr. Herbert Tritton, one of the trustees, gave some particulars in regard to the purchase of the hall. The Earl of Shaftesbury then delivered a stirring and tolling address. The Archbishop of Canterbury moved tho first resolution, and spoke well. The Right Hon. Earl Cairns expressed his admiration of the manner in wnich Exeter Hall had been beautified and equipped for the Christian Young Men of London, and ascribed: 1 the success of the institution to its being founded on the principles of true vital and spiritual Christianity. "SamuelMorley, M.P., Canon Fleming, Lord Mayor McArthur, Rovs. J. P. Chown, T. A. Denny, and others delivered brief addresses. After the closing address by the Noblo Chairman, the interesting proceedings were brought to a conclusion. : . i