YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7786, 4 November 1886, Page 6

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The meetings on the occasion of the opening of the new buildings of tbe Young Men's Christian Association were continued yesterday. A breakfast meeting was held in the large social hall at eight o'olook in the morning. About 150 ladies and gentlemen sat down to the excellent repast which had been provided by Mr. Robson. Amongst those present were Rev. Messrs. Hill, Langley, Nelson, Tebbs, C»rriok, Bavin, Brookes, Garland, Mather, Whewell, Bray, Driver, Jones; and Messrs. Kiaaling, McMillan, Upton, Battley, Buddie, Button, Larkins, Buchanan, Lamb, Wiseman, J. L. Wilaou, Arthur, Newman, Shalders, Lilly, Bell, and Dr. Knight. At the conclusion of the breakfast the Rev. J, S. Hill, president of the association, called upon Mr. G. 8. Kiesling to preside over the meeting, and in doiug so referred to the position in whioh tbe association was placed in regard to the commercial life of the otty, and the anxiety of those connected with the association to receive the counsel and advice of prominent men of business concerning the welfare of young men engaged in commercial pursuits. Mr. KissLiNO, who was received with load applause, expressed his pleasure at presiding on such an occasion, and congratulated the members on the commodious and elegant building, in whioh they had every faoility for oarrying on their work. He was glad to see present such energetic workers aa Messrs. Shalders and Newman, who bad first established the association in Auckland many years ago. The most gratifying feature in connection with the association was the promotion of unity among Christians of all denominations, and he trusted that this feeling would become increasingly intensified. Mr. C. C. MoMILL4N next addressed the meeting. He said that the Young Men's Chriatian Association was an institution whioh moat readily commended itself to his sympathies, and he very heartily congratulated all in oonneotion with the association upon the stage of progress that had been attained. A welcome was always extended by the members to young men who were atrangers in the city, and the library and readingroom afforded them an opportunity for communing with the beet philosophers of all ages. The subjeot upon whioh he had been asked to speak was the "Value of character as a means of suooesa in commercial life." He believed the truth of the saying that man was tbe architect of oircum stances, and that success in life was assured to the man of upright character, and although such a one might meet with business reverses, yet the misfortune would only be temporary, and he would speedily regain his former position. The foundation "of auch a character consisted of unfaltering truthfulness, sterling honesty, and unswerving loyalty to confidence reposed by others. Truth was the bond of union of mankind and the basis of all human happiness. He could not apeak in terms too condemnatory of tbe shameful untruthfulness of some business men as manifested in lying advertisements in regard to prices of goods, and the deception towards creditors by thoae who knew themselves to be on the verge of insolvency. The end of such conduct was generally the Bankruptcy Court. It was not necessary to enforce by any argument the truth that " Honesty is the best policy." Loyalty to the interests of others was of the utmost importance. The great sin of commercial life was oensoriousness and enviousuess. Hβ would most strongly impress upon young men their duty of refusing to listen to slanders against their employer ; and, if compelled to listen, to defend his character in his absence. Of the man who had once forfeited his good character it might well be said that it bad been better for him if he had not been born.

Mr. Battley said tbat the erection of the new building had been the realisation of hopes and deairee that he bad experienced for many years ; bnt these desires wonld not be completely fulfilled until the whole of the debt was extingauhed. He thought that the beat illustration of "Brotherhood," upon whioh subject he had been asked to speak, was the Young Men's Christian Association. Young men naturally possessing enthusiasm, high hopes, and ambition, were in need of wholesome discipline, and this was provided through union with elders who could give wise counsel. The chief aim of the association was to stir up everyone to a higher consciousness of the fact that " all we are brethren." H« referred to the way in whioh the Karl of Shaftesbury, late president of London Y.M.C.A. and each buainess men as George Williams, Samuel Morley, the MoArthurs, had aided the work of the Y.M.C.A., and by their large sympathies bad impressed their personality upon the young men with whom they came in contaot. Each one should endeavour to accomplish that portion of work—whether great or ■mall—that first came to hand. The spirit of Christlikeneiß should be manifested in all the concerns of life. The supposition that one could be a man of business in one thing and a Christian in another thing was nonsensical. He did not believe that men of business should make use of their position for the purpose of constantly thrusting religions topios upon their emplojds, but he tbought that they should manifest such a spirit of brotherly sympathy and interest in the young men engaged in their business that would be far more effective than mere words. The usooiation was always open to reoeive young men, and he hoped that the large number of auoh in Auckland without home ties would avail themselves of the advantages provided by the association. The association, while endeavouring to improve the physical and mental faculties of yonng men, had for its highest aim the winning of their souls for Christ. Mr. Upton said that the snbjeot which had been assigned to him was that of "Technical Kduoatton," and was of such wide extent that he felt inoapable of doing justice to it in the time allotted to him. lie remarked that in a country such as New Zealand there was no need to make an apology for general education. It had been argued that the education of the poorer classes was an evil, because it tended to intensify the keenness of disappointment at their lot. He thought, however, that the testimony of suoh a writer as the author of the book " How the Poor Lire" conclusively proved that education had the effect of improving both the moral and the material condition of the poor. Education in the past had been too much of a literary character, but he was oonvinoed that toientifio or technical studies were quite as effioaoious as the study of Latin or Greek in promoting the faculty of observation and the habit of aconraoy. It was the pre-eminent position of English manufactures that oauaed the envy of the Continental nations, and led them to establish technical eohools, in order to enable them to compete at all sucotasfully in the markets of the world. The speaker then traced in an exceedingly interesting manner the rapid growth ot the more important technical institutions in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Rustia, and especially the excellent work that had of late years been accomplished in Great Britain by the Science and Art Department at Kensington, Owens' College, industrial colleges at Sheffield, Leicester, Nottingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The chief of all the technical institutes was. that of the London City and Guilds, which had no less than 150 branches in different parts of the country, and which gave free tuition to all teachers of science. He thought that in Mew Zealand by means ot the system of general elementary education, of which drawing was one of the compulsory subjects, they were laying a good foundation' for subsequent sound technical education. Of first importance to a country like this was the establishment of Agricultural Colleges and Schools of Mines.

Mr. Button also expressed his feelings of sympathy and congratulation, Hβ felt sure that the association would do all in its power to provide not only teohnioal education, but also rational amusement for the young men of the city. There were two officers to whom the association was greatly indebted—Mr. Brakenrig, general secretary, and Kev. J. S. Hill, president—and he thought that the meeting should not terminate without recognition of their faithful and energetic labours for the weal of young men.

Mr. Boddle announced that he had reoeived from His Honor Judge Ward an apology for absence owing to official duties. The meeting was terminated by the Rev. Mr. Langley pronouncing the benediction. Subsequently there was a social gathering to welcome the Rev. Henry Langley, from Melbourne, Mr. F. Battley presiding. Tea was partaken of by a large number of workers, after which the Chairman said the meeting had been held for the special purpose of bringing under their notice their brother and guest, and to assure Mr. Langley how heartily glad they were to see him, and to hare the opportunity of hearing a few

words from him. Hβ had been instructed by the president to speak upon evangelistic work, with reference to which he said that one of thiir greatest difficulties in dealing with evangelistic work was the unsatisfaotory rooms to which they were able to invite them. He had been impressed by what he had seen in the large towns of America, and particularly .New York, where there was excellent and ample accommodation for making young men feel at home. In the institution they were opening they bad followed the idea of making the place attractive in a social and literary way, but chiefly to bring members to a knowledge of the Goepel. He then introduced Mr. Langley, who had come to help them in the work, and who with his brother, Mr. J. D. Langley, one of whom had been working in Sydney and the other in Melbourne, were well known and loved by the Churches. He offered to Mr. Langley the heartiest greeting, and asked him to state what he would expeot from the workers in the mission. The JEtev. Mr. Bray, on behalf of the ministers, also extended a cordial congratulation to Mr. Langley, whose sojourn among tbem he trusted would be attended by great blessing, Mr. Langlky in responding said he had heard addresses since he had been in Auok. land whioh made him wonder why he had been asked to assist in services in which he found so many able Christian brethren were engaged. Christian associations represented more fully than anything else the union of the body of Christ. He wished first and chiefest to emphasize his position. As a member of that Churoh, and it was beoause of that that he felt pleasure in attending to assiat in the present very important work. As to his advice he said he would take the oversight, and wished them to do all they could to accomplish the result that not one soul in tho oity should be uninvited to attend their mission services, beginning with their own friends. They wanted chiefly to get in the men and women who were not often found at meetings of that obaracter. The city should be divided into district*, and everyone a«ked to attend. As to details, he spoke of the choir, who should sing in a devotional spirit ; and respecting after meetings, he asked that there should be no undue foroing. Let it be entirely a spiritual work, and avoid the harm of spurious conversions, of whioh there were suob a great number. He would rather have a real oonvert during the mission than a hundred who would go back before the week was out. Another important point was that of prayer, of whioh be spoke most earnestly and emphatically. He thanked them heartily for the words addressed to him, aud exhorted them to do their utmost to make toe mission achieve permanent spiritual results. Prayer was offered by Messrs. Fry, Brakenrig, and Driver. In the evening a convention of workers was held in the large nail, Mr. J. L. Wilson presiding. There were present on the platform the Kevs J. S. Hill, H. H. Driver, H. Langley, Adams, G. B. Monro, A. J. Smith, W. Tebbs, Garland, Colonel Haultain, P. Larkini, Shalders, T. Buddie (hon. sec.) and VV Brakenrig (general secretary). Tnere was a good attendauce, and after singing, prayer, and Scripture»reading, The Chairman said if they were not thankful to God that night it was not because tney had not good reason to be so, wtien they found how God had put His stamp of the blessing on the work ; if they were not thankful, and did not rise to the position in which they had been placed, they would have just cause for humiliation, but he trusted that the occasion would be one in whioh they would make advance in their work. Dr. Maunseli had said list night that they were just putting themselves on the first rung of the ladder, ana that was indeed so. Ihey had done muoh, but many young men still remained untouched by their efforts, and he trusted that there would come down t> the president and all members ot the association a power which would be felt throughout the whole city. The first matter with them was that all should be brought to Christ, and whatever else migbt happen they must have the foundations right. He appealed to all to ask themselves what each could do and reminded them that it would require all their efforts to make the work a successful one. He belieted they were going to have a time of rich blessing. He aettcdMr, Larkins to give the first address. Mr. F. Larkins expressed his pleasure at seeing the building in whioh they had assembled, while it was most of all important to remember that tbey must first regard the spiritual house, Hβ alluded to hie first attendance at a meeting of a Young Men's Christian Association iu Gres-ham-street, i.ondon, near the residence of Mr. .Samuel Morley, who had recently passed away. He then spoke on the subject which he had been asked to address them upon, which was " Dedniteness." that included catholicity bringing within the scope of the Young Men's Christian Association every man, woman, and child, but without in any way sacrificing defimteuess of creed. Dβtiniteness of aim was another important matter for the members of the Young Men's Christian Association. The first members of a Young Men's Christian Association were in the first Christian century, and if they read the J£pi»tles of St. Paul to Timothy and Titus, they would find all the advice they required for fulfilling their duties as members of such an association. Hβ trusted that the new building would last long in commemoration of what they had done, and by which future generations might benefit. The Rev. J. S. Hill then read a paper on the " Development of Spiritual Life," and he trusted tne mission of Mr. Langley would result in promoting that end. The Rev. C. H. Garland gave an address on " Practical Christianity, and the Influence of the Churob on the World." The Rev. G. B. Monro, spoke upon the importance of putting Christ first in their lives and regarding the development of the Christian life, and the first thing should be that all who undertook work should themselves be really converted and possessed of the spiritual life, The Rev. T. Adams also epoke on the same subjeot as that of Mr. Hill's paper, expressing his hearty sympathy with the Young Men's Christian Association, trusting it would have a most successful future. The Rev. A. J. Smith spoke on " praotioal Christianity," insisting that living a Christian life was really the only praotioal Christianity. If they have that in their homes, their warehouses, offices, and legislature, the cause of God would prosper more abundantly. Mr. Langley then said he was glad to say at the conoluiion of that meeting that he was very thanktul that the committee of the association had taken the course they had in commencing their work in the building by making an effort to do praotioal spiritual work in connection with the building. It was the only instance he had known in whioh such an opening had been made. Their mode of beginning was a commencement in the rigbt way. In referring to the ad Ireeeea previouily delivered, he eaid practical Christianity was like living steam, not only getting but giving out that whioh they had got. Aβ they gave so also they in return would get, and while they were watering others their own souls would be watered by God. He spoke ou the means of making their churoh a praotioal power by avoiding individual separation, and nrged them to work together in the power of the Divine love, setting aside all personal dielikes or prejudices. The meeting terminated with the singing of "Praise God. from whom all blessings flow," and the Benediction. This evening a miscellaneous oonoert will be given by members of the Auckland Choral Society, under tbe conduotorship of Herr Carl Schmitt.