THE CHURCH AND GOOD FRIDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12856, 3 May 1905, Page 7

THE CHURCH AND GOOD FRIDAY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It was ait unexpected pleasure and privilege which I enjoyed yesterday to lie associated with my fellow citizens in the Tabernacle, men of all classes and distinctions and of every age, men of every Christian Church, whose creeds ignore all barriers and limitations that would attempt to interfere with the union of hearts and hands on such a day. Need I say it was a surprise to all present to see so many assembled on Good Friday, a close day of rest to all tram employees. The weather was not propitious, but, notwithstanding, there wore men from every suburb, a most remarkable' gathering of Christians of every denomination, who gladly came to testify by their presence their deep interest in the moral and spiritual welfare of our young men. But when it is said there were representatives of every Christian, Church present, I must lie understood to mean only those Churches which, while differing in minor things and non-essentials, are in perfect, agreement in all essentials, and absolutely united in their belief that the definition of the Church as given by Augustine Jong' ago was correct, when he said: ''It is a Creation purely Divine:'' " the whole people of the Saints, of whom, as of one Body, the Man Christ Jesus, the Mediator between Cod and Man, is Head." And hero was this groat gathering of men, assembled to do Honour to a fellow man, who, as one of the organising secretaries of the Young.Men's Christian Association of the United .States, had, been invited to give mi address. This man, Mr. Fred. 13. .Smith, is of the manly type 'of great Christian workers, and physically is a- striking personage, reminding one by his tout ensemble of a. fine specimen, of (lie British naval officer. After hearing Hi's gentleman's able, instructive, and delightful address, all doubts as to the value of these great institutions and the possibilities in connection with V.M.C.A. work were at once removed. This address and the speaker will not easily be forgotten by the very large body of men who had the privilego of hearing one of the greatest living workers for athletic Christian young men, and one of their truest and most sympathetic friends. A striking thought aitei heaving - this splendid man was this: How ca'ji we account for it that such a glorious work was left by the Church and initiated by a layman? The honoured founder is living, and his hoary head is covcr«|! with the glory of true greatness. Nor is it .-.. small honoiu for this distant city to be able to claim the distinction of having among its citizens, living and in fairly good health, the founder of its Y.M.C.A., only a few years after his former employer, (leorge Williams, now .Sir George, initiated the movement in one of bis own rooms in St. Paul's churchyard. Aucklanders owe a deep deb!, of gratitude to the dear old gentleman who still moves in and out among - us. and it is a. pleasure to seo him as interested as ever in the welfare of our young men. A reception by the young men of our city given to the patriarch, Mr. Richard 13. Shakier-, would ho an event worthy of theio and of our citizens.— 1 am, etc., " J.J.M. April 22.