THE Y.M.C.A.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4824, 29 November 1902, Page 7

THE Y.M.C.A.

WELCOME TO MR J. J. VIRGO. A jiublic meeting to welcome Mr J. J. Virgo, who is organising tho Young Men’s Christian Association in Y> ellinglon, was held at the Lx change Ha! 1 last night. Mr J. G. V. Aitkeu, M.H.R. (Mayor of Wellington.!, who is president of tho association, was the chairman, and clergymen of the various duiiouumvtious represented on the of Management was present on tho jiiatform. Tho meeting having been opened with prayer by tho Rev James Paterson, addresses of welcome wero delivered by tho chairman, tho Rev C. Dalla.stou and Mr J. W. Dlack (who spoke on behalf of tho members of the association and young men generally). • Mr Aitkeu, in emphasising tho^ necessity for such an association in Wellington, said tho number of young men in this city was relatively to the population greater than in any other city in New Zealand, and, ho believed, greater than any Other city in Australasia. Mr Virgo, in acknowledging tho kindness with which ho had boon received in Wellington, said that when ho was planning his visit, ho arranged to spend October, November and December in Now Zealand; but owing to his work in organising tho simultaneous mission ;n Melbourne, lie had been delayed in coming hero, and as-,lio was to' return to Sydney early, ho* found himself able to visit only Wellington and Nelson,' an! had had reluctantly to abandon his intention to visit Auckland, Christchureu and Dunedin. There were, ho continued, prospects in this city second to none in any place ho had been in. Ho had beer amazed at the number of young men hero, and frankly confessed that ho had never boon at a meeting for tho formation of a Young Men’s Christian Association at which s 6 largo a portion of thoso present had consisted' of young mon. Mr Virgo then proceeded to spcaic of tho objects of the Y.M.C.A., and said that tho prospects ahead of the Wellington Association were tremendous, if members only viewed them in the right light. (Applause.) Ibis institution, ho said, had to give tho lio to tho cynic in tho street who looked upon Christianity as “ namby-pamby ” and “goodygoody.” This institution had to represent the trpo life of man, for it needed a man to be a Christian man; any fool could do wrong. (Applause.) The man who was inconsistent in the church had a great deal to answer for; bub the man who used religion as a cloak for other purposes was seeking to counterfeit the host tiling in God’s universe. Men did not counterfeit farthings; they counterfeited sovereigns. He asked those who were starting this Y.M.C.A. in Wellington to start out with tho full determination to represent to this city, as well as they know how. true manhood —the manhood which. could stand firm in the face of great temptations which would drag a man down if ho wero not watchful. Ho explained that it was not sought by this movement to establish another church; the Y.M.C.A. was an adjunct and auxiliary to, not a rival of, the church—(applause)—and ho hoped that the Board *of Management would not allow any element to get into tho institution which would cause it to become a church organisation. In concluding a strong appeal on behalf of the Y.M.C.A., Mr Virgo said there were many hearts at that hour grieving over young follows who had gone to the bad ■ — ll and,” ho added, “if a young fellow wants to go to the devil in these Australasian cities, ho will find the way greased for the occasion.”-' Some hymns were snug by the Alexander choir, conducted by Mr Virgo ; Mr W. H. George was at the organ, and Mr C. Collins at tho piano. Mr Virgo, who has a resonant baritone voice, sang with expression and articulation the hymn, “ Throw out the Life-line,” tho audience joining in tho chorus. The meeting closed with prayer by tho Rev W. Shire?.

Mr Virgo is to occupy tho pulpit on Sunday morning at tho Kent Terraco Presbyterian Church, and in the evening at St. John’s Presbyterian Church. On Sunday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, he will address a men’s meeting at the. Opom House on the subject “Playing tho Fool.” Men’s mootings are to ne held on Monday and Tuesday evenings at the Exchange Hall. Mr Virgo is to speak at the. Vivian street Baptist Church this evening.