Y.M.C.A.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 3

Y.M.C.A.

VISIT OF MR LYMAN L. PIERCE.

Mr Lyma.n L. Tierce, of Washington, the well-known leader, organiser of men, and lecturer in America, had his first introduction to a New Zealand audieuco oil .Sunday at 3 p.m. in tho Garrison Hall. -Mr G. M. Thomson, tho president of the iJunedm \onn s Men's Christian Associaiioii, was in the ohair, and introduced the lecturer. Tho subject of Mr Tierce's introductory address was announced as "Are tho Men of Australia Iktlev or Worso than tho men of Other Lands?" Tho lecturer brought before life hearers iho youn" men of many lands, their mental, soeiaf moral, uml religious condition, sharply contrasting- as he proceeded the advantage' or disadvantages of the. difTerent countries. According to Mr ' Pierco's observations and study sinro ho camo to Australia and New Zealand, ho finds little ■■' Hcrciiw in the prevalence of certain Bins ninoiifr young men from that of other Anglo-Saxon countries. Ho marks less ]>"blio sentiment against gambling, and a consequent wider prevalence of that sin; he considers that the barmaid makes etil] more daiißPrmis tho drink evil; impurity among men. ho says, seems to be no lc-« prevalent than elsewhere. Leaving the further discussion of tho problems of voting men at home, Mr Pierce dwelt with emphasis upon the needs of the 400 million young men of mission lands. Mr fierce was much impressed by the marvellous advance of China, shown in the telegraph and telephone systems, by the IE

universities founded by tho Empress in the past three- years, and by the breaking away from tho antiquated civil service examination S3'stem. He closed by pointing out tho great hold which the association had already secured on Chinese young men, and with tho hope that Dunedin would tako a part in tho foroijjn programme of the movement. Throughout llr Pierce emphasised the loyalty of the association to tho churches and ite purpose to bo a servant of the churches.

At tho 5 o'clock strangers' tea the Y.M.C.A. Rooms were crowded with voun? men to listen to a table talk from Mr Pierce. Captain SI rang was in Hie chair. By special request My Pierce spoke of tlio Washington Y.M.C.A., which work lie had been lender of for eoine considerable time beforo taking on tho Melbourne mid national work of Australasia. An account of £82,000 being raised for tho Washington Y.M.C.A. building was most interesting. At 8 o'clock, in the Garrison Hall again, Mr Piereo lectured to a crowded audience, taking for his subject the "Onward ATarcli of a Mighty Movement." His Worship tho Mavor was in the chair, and welcomed Mr Pierce on behalf of the citizens. Wherever Mr Pierce has Riven this address and the very fine illustrated ■views it lias been received with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately for Mr Pierce, however, ho liod the most trying experience of all his lecturing career last evening. 'The local association had done all that was possible to do credit to Mr Picrco's fine lantern riows, sparing no expense that tho audience might, not be disappointed, but in epito of all precautions and tho services of the best lantornist in the city, the views wero dimmed by an accident in the gasometer. Mr however, true to his country's reputation, kept Roinp; ahead, and spoke, on many interesting phases of men's work, showing a modern Y.M.C.A. building at work.

To-night Mr'Piereo will be tendered a welcome tea at the Palaco Hotel, and subsequently will moot the Y.M.C.A. members in conference at the association's rooms, when matters connected with the proposed new building , will bo discussed. On Tuesday evening Mr Pierce will, in the Garrison Hall, deliver an illustrated address entitled "In the Wako of the Setting Sun." For this.lecture tho lantern will bo subjected to a special test beforehand.