YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7787, 5 November 1886, Page 6

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

GRAND SACRED AND MISCEL. LANEOUS CONCERT.

A GRAND eaored and miscellaneous concert was given last evening in the lecture hall of the Young Men's Christian Association new buildings by some members of the Auckland Choral Society, in continuation of the open* ing meetings. There was an excellent at. tendanoe. There was a chorus of forty voioes under the talented condaotorship of HerrSchmitt,and theorohestra wasunder the able leadership of Mr. Charles fleams The first part of the concert consisted of selections from the " Messiah," the orchestral accompaniments being exceedingly good. The oonoert was opened with the overturn by the orchestra ; chorus " And the glory." The ohorusea were given with great precision and expression, more especially "For nnto us a child is born;" Mr. J. H. Edmondes sang very effectively, " But who may abide;" Mrs. Dacre rendered very tastefully, "Rejoice greatly," but was not in snob good voice as on former appearanoes ; Miss Culpan sang sweetly, "I know that my Redeemer liveth ;" Mr. Taylor gave a spirited rendering " Why do the nations," the accompaniment by the orchestra being exoellent. Owing to Miss Taylor's indisposition the solo, " How beautiful," aesigned to her was omitted. The "Hallelujah Chorus ,, wae executed with precision and brilliancy, the audience standing, and brought the first part of the programme to a close.

Bishop Cowib then delivered a brief, but exoellent address. He began by saying that he had been prevented by a bad oold, and a loss of voice, from taking part in the proceedings of the opening day, and that want of voioe would prevent him saying more than a few worda on the present occasion. There had, however, been so many good addresses given in the building since its opening, tbat it was not necessary for him, in any case, to make a long speech. He would content himself with giving three brotherly cautions to those for whose speoial benefit the splendid building of the Y.M.G.A. had been erected. The first was suggested by the building itself ; which had been obtained in the faoe of difficulties which ten years ago seemed to many almost insurmountable. Those to whom credit is mainly due for the accomplishment of so great & work mado up their minds that this institution was a real necessity, and they persevered in their efforts for its attainment umiaunted by difficulties. So let our young men generally make up tbeir minds early in life to aim at a high ideal, and then follow up that ideal, undismayed by difficulties. The great Bishop Selwyn had a maxim to this effect, which he often repeated for his own encouragement, and that of others, " In we are, a> don we must." Having put our hand to the plough, we must not Took back in faintheartedness. All young men have a noble example of this spirit in the life of the late Professor Fawoett. Early in life he determined to become a member of Parliament, in order the better to help the cause of general education and social progress for his fellow-countryman; and, in spite of total blindness, produced by an aocident just as he was entering on his career, without money and without influential relatives, he became not only a member of Parliament, but Postmaster-General of Great Britain. Therefore, never despair of accomplishing a work really worthy of you. Secondly, I would caution all members of this association, for the sake of the association and of themselves individually, to oherish a high tone among the members. Let there be an esprit de corps among the members, a> feeling corresponding to the old saying " noblesse oblige." Let it be with the Young Men's Christian Association as it is with what is called a "crack regiment" in the army, or a " good college" at an English university. Let it go without saying that a Y.M.G.A. man is one who is always ready to protect the weak, and to put down without hesitation anything calling itself a man who would ill-treat or injure directly or indirectly any woman of the community. (Cheers.) Thirdly, I would say, do not rest on your oars. Be not content merely to enjoy that whioh, by the help of others, you now pos« sees. .Remember the old Greek proverb— Those who have received the torch should hand it on to others. As life goes on do all you can for the young who are to come after you. Exert yourselves, deny yourselves, that they may enjoy advantages similar to those tbat you posses*. I am indebted to Mrs. Cowie for the suggestion tbat I should end my address with the well-known words of St. Paul, " Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (Applause.) The second part of the programme consisted of miscellaneous selections. The opening item was the overture, "Die Zauberflote " (Mozart), which was ably executed by the orchestra, and was followed by the vocal quintette " No tocaran Campanas," by Muses Fenton and Shariand, Messrs. Gilmore and Tayler. whioh was received with applause. Miss Bleazard rendered " Ernani in Volami " (Verdi), with orchestral accompaniment, with great taste, and received an enthusiastic encore.' Herr Sohmitt must have felt proud of bis pupil as he led her to the platform to bow her acknowledgments, and presented to her the floral tributes which were thrown on the stage. The string quartette (Messrs. 0. Hemus, J. Hem us, Clongh. and Edger) rendered Boooherini's ever-popu-lar minuet with their usual precision and ability, and in response to an imperative encore they repeated the item. Miss Corbett sang " Ttie Message " (Blumenthal) with her accustomed taste, and the concert closed with the waltz, "Gesohicbt-n aus dem Wiener Wald" (Straust), by the orchestra, and the National Anthem.

Mr. Thomas Boddlr moved % vote of thanks to Herr Schmitt and the ladies and gentlemen of the Choral Society who had assisted at the concert. It was not the first time they had been indebted to Herr Schmitt and members of the Choral Society for valu able aid. The vote was carried by acclama tion.

It wrb announced that a grand conversazione would be held to-night, commencing at five o'clock, when the whole building will be thrown open. The muaio will be under the conduct of Mr. Culpan, Limelight exhibitions will be given by the Rev. J. S. Hill, and lawn tennis and other games played in the gymnasium. Rare Indian, Oriental, Island, Maori, and New Guinea curios will be exhibited. It is in addition intended to exhibit in practical operation hat-manufacturing, corkmaking, wood-taming, glass-blowing, and various small model meohanioal engines at work, the galvanic battery, weighing chair, fretwork, nose-knitting, various antiquities, stylograph, old and rare copies of the Bible, and other works of interest, musical boxes, a number of oil paintings, photographs, *to. Refreshment? will also be provided. After half-past eight admission is half-price.