YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15101, 25 March 1911, Page 9

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.

ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

SPEECHES BY PROMINENT CITIZENS.

An important stage in tho history cf tho oxtonsivo Young Men's Christian Association building, which is in course of erection in Moray place, was reached yesterday, when its loundation flonc was laid by ( the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister of Education, in tho presonco of a vory largo and representative gathering of Duncdin citizens. The st;-cot was dooorated with bunting, and a brass band was in attendance to load tho singing. Mr Herbert Webb, president of the Y.M.C.A., presided over the proceedings. Amongst the ' prominent gentlemen present, tho majority of whom found seats on tho specially-constructcd platform, wore tho Hon. G. Fowlds and Mrs Fowlds, Messrs J. F, Arnold,. T. K. Sidey, and G. M. Thomson, M.P.'s, t.ho Hon. James Balfour, Professors Gitrny, Hewitson, Dickio, and White, tho Revs'. G. Hoighway, Dr Nieolson, G. Knowles Smith, J. Ohisholm, W. Saunders, D. Dutton, I'. W. Fairclcugh, W. Slade, IL L. Snow, W. Gray Dixon, R. E. Davies, G. H. Balfour, J. Aitkon, C. Ballaston, J. B. Suckling, E. Drake, Dr Ogston, Messrs G. W. W. B. Hughes (secretary of tho association), 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M., M. Cohen, A. S. Adams, W. T. Talboys, W. Burnott, W. L. Logic, P. E. Sargocd, W. Gow. W. Taylor, A. S. Paterson, J. 'Hutchison, E. Rosevcar, i J, W. Mowat, John Mitchell, W. St. George Douglas, D. Leslie, John Rcss, John Wilson (Cavcrsham), E. E. C. Quick, G. Easther, T. W. White, J. B. Waters, J. B. Mason, R. Gairdncr, and C'aplain Strang. Apologies wero announced from the Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Justice Williams, the Hon. J. T. Paul, Mr G. A. Lcwin (town clerk), Canon Curzon-Siggers (vice-president of the Y.M.C.A.), and the Mayors of Mornington and Mosgiel. The Chairman slated that he .had roccivtd other apologies too numerous lo mention. They had also received greetings, which ho would reserve for the evening mooting, from tho Ckristclmrch, Wellington, Mastorton, and Auckland Associations, who were with them in spirit rejoicing in their progress.

After all had joined in the singing of the hymn "Onward, Christian soldiers," appropriate, pravor was offered by tlio Rev. Proiessor Ilcwitson for the success of thp association and fcho Divino guidance of its leaders. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. . The President of tlio association (Mr H, Webb) said: Wo have assembled to witness tlio laying of the foundation stone of a building for the Young Men's Christian Association of Dunedin. Of course, you arc aware that wo arc not now founding that association: This memorial stone, which will presently be placed in position, has already tanoath it a substantial structure which has been in prooass of building during several months, in the sight of only a comparatively few proplc. The work of our association, whilo attracting little public attention, lws bosn going on steadily, and in its way effectively, for some 10 years past. Our best workers have been, and are for the most part, men whot>3 names are seldom seen in newspapers, but who have realised that they " Are not here to play, to dream, to drift, But havo hard work to do, and loads to lift." Leading otherwise quite . strenuous lives, they might have claimcd that after business hours they could fairly sock rest and amusoment; but they were not so built. Rather have they gladly laboured with selfeffacing devotion and truest sympathy for tlio uplift of character amongst the young men and boys of Dunedin—(applause),— for their consequent, welfare and happiness and the good of tlie whole community. They havo all along been sorajy hand'icapjiod—literally "cramped, cabined, and confined "—by the want of the housing and equipment necessary for any extensive effort. Now, at length, through tlio bounty, tlio exceedingly generous liberality, of many of our citizens, and that of'some kind friend.- of cur work who live beyond our bounds, we are about to havo our trying limitations removed, and wo Ocok ahrad with joyful anticipation—not, certainly, to any time of ease, but to one of fuller and more successful endeavour. Our desire is to direct the energies of our young people into really useful and profitable channels. We seek to aid young men in tie all-round development of their natures, offering ihem physical, intellectual, and spiritual culture; according as they arc willing to accept it. We aim at the foundation of solid character, believing' that it is what, a man is in himself, moro than what he says or oven what, he does when under observation, that tells in the world and makes for righteousness. Wo are Christians because we believe that the truest, the fincrf, and noblest- character is that which is built upon that foundation other than which can no man lay. Nevertheless, wo do not .make it a condition that, all who come to us must accept the Christian faith. Ours is, in the truest sense, a civic institution, and wo offer to all, irrespective of cioed, every advantage and benefit- that our building," w.hen completed, our equipment, and our workers can supply,—(Applause.) I havo now to usk Mr Savgood, who is 0110 of our trustees and one of our best friends, to address you.—(Applause.) Mr Sargood said that this was an a],pro priate occasion upon which the trustees of Ihe Y.M.C.A. should render an account of their stewardship; hence, on behalf of Ihe Board of Trustees, he had been asked to speak. It was now four years since the ever memorable campaign was inaugurated having for its object, (ho collection of -olt,oGo to build the \.M.C.A. room?, in which to conduct the movement under a new constitution. The sum of £17,000 was placed as the limit to the amount that the citizens of Dunedin and district should bo asked to give until they moro fully realised the enormous importance of the work about to be undertaken. In 14 days £15,000 was subscribed or promised—(applause),—a splendid response on faith alone, and intensely encouraging to the men who were working the movement, Mr A. S. Paterson and- the speaker were appointed trustees to see that the funds so subscribed were duly spent, in accordance i\ilh (lie spirit of tile trust deed. Subsequently live other trustees were appointed in order to strengthen the administrative ability of the Board of Trustees. These gentlemen were Messrs G. I'cnwick, W. Guv, - , Jno. ltoss, lion. J. T. Paul, and 11. Y. Widdowson. A strong Building Committee was funned, plans were called for, and after very careful consideration, those of Mr Anscombe were accepted. That; building site was purchased as being 1 eminently suitable to the work in hand, centrally situated, sunny of aspect, and, for immediate needs, sufficient in area. Tenders were called for the erection of the building, Ihe plans of which woi-e considerably modified to keep them within a ' reasonable ligttrc without' unduly sacrificing tlio requirements laid down by the board as necessary. These purchases and building conmiiimenls would more than absorb the -mids collected or promised, and there would yel tie required funds for internal fittings and furnishings. Upon this sui'jeot the hoard would have something to s:>y later on, and, in doing so, would havo something substantial to lay before the community of Dunedin and the surrounding districts. Not only had l.hey the plans of an up-to-date Y.M.C.A. building, which were regarded as providing the most, complete premises in the southern hemisphere for the work in hand, but there was also this building well on the way to.completion standing on a valuable freehold site, and a new constitution, progressive in its objocts, wide in its scope of membership, and providing educational facilities in a very marked degree. The only thing now wanting was a full recognition by the public of the splendid work that was contemplated— a work that should appeal to everyone, as it provided splendid physical expert training and discipline, mental impiovemenl by classes under trained lecturers, moral uplifting by the observance of a Christian tone inside the building, and amongst its members, with carefully conducted religious leaching in rooms specially set apart. A member was trained to be a better man all round, to understand fully his responsibilities as a citizen and fellowworker in all matters pertaining to the social, commercial, and religious intercourse between men. The sum before mentioned having been given purely on Ihe representation that the work would be put in hand, he could conceive no reason to doubt liiiit now so much had been done by the board, they would be further fortified by the spontaneous financial support, for the balance required to complete what would be a splendid acquisition Ihe city and young men of Dunedin, a most valuable place ill which country men could find a hearty welcome, a home of rest, and recreation at a very reasonable outlay, where they would find most all that a man required for his physical, mental, and moral well-being. Tbus far had tho board

gone with tlio sanction of ilic trustees. Now, might ho he pardoned lor introducing somo few personal remarks bearing upon the work as a whole. We at this end of the world very inadequately understood what was being done elsewhere, and in what regard the movement was held by all shades of thought, sociological and otherwise. In Canada and North America, where it was strongest, he had been more than surprised to find such line buildings and large memberships, running from 1000 to 1500 in pities no larger than Uunedin. That the city men realised :*ie enormous advantages of the Y.M.C.4. could -bo judged by the annual grants and largo subscriptions. Corporations like the Canadian Pacific Railway and Union Pacific and others, not only constructed the buildings out of their own capital, but gave largo annual subscriptions for up-kccp. They made it a purely business proposition on the principle that, " make your men bettor men and you will got better service"; and, Above all, their business would command the respect of its clients. As to the educational part, somo figures were interesting—North American branches spent annually £130,000 in their educational works, passing through their hands 52,000 men and boys, dealing with 140 subjects, and'employing 2300 trained teachers. The association was doing much, and , would do more along these lines according to the funds placcd at its disposal. T'lio educational propaganda followed up the teaching of the primary and secondary schools and in somo cases, oven university courses, whilo tho technical classes had in some cases become so important as to warrant thoir_ being worked in conjunction with technical schools, and even to supersede: them. The educational work dono by the Young Men's Christian Association had for its sole aim the helping of men and boys. It furnished, at cost or less, instruction to employed boys and men that would help them to increase in mental efficiency and wage-earning ability. Thousands had gone out from the educational department to better standing in colleges and professional schools, and to better positions in the business world because of tho instruction and inspiration icceived. Professional men, business men, superintendents of schools, .college masters,, and men widely known in the political and diplomatic world could bo numbered among the fonncr students. Tho board aimed at placing a hall-mark upon the members of the. Y.M.C.A. which would entitle them to a first claim upon the commercial and industrial communities when positions .of trust and service were open. Mr G. Jf. Thomson said that, he had so often urged thc-claigis of tho Young Men's Christian Association that ho was not going to do so that day, but 110 wanted a few words to endeavour to answer two questions which bed presented themselves to his mmd of late. One was why we wanted a. Young Men's Christian Association at all, and tho second Question was es to the chaiHr'px which had come ovc r our comni'iinities and our people which brought about the ncofssifcy for such an organisation as this. Ho would hke to answer that second rjiirst'on first. Tlv> ch/iucres which had come ovcr our communities of late yoa.ys-shnngos duo to raoitl transit, to rapid communication of thought. to our greater appreciation of the claims on ur. sf human life, and a great many other nuestiors of that sort, had b»on 'so vast that we were apt to-day to think ourselves e verr (rrcat donl wiser and a very coat, deal flir'her advanced than our forefathers WW. AVh.lt. had set him back on this lino of thought, was that father, who "'as a respected member o" this communiH-. had been horn ex-i.etlv 100 years a-<ro. Tf e h--.d begun to think of the condition?) iin<K which manv rf their Mhers had lived. T t a hurl jotted down « few of the thinsrs thnt were absolutely unknown in those davs, but of which the r.osse'sion row so vastly influenced our lives. They had no telegraphs, 110 telephones, ro penny rcsfagp. no typewriters. nr> sowing machines, ro photne-nnhs, no cinematograph'! with (heir woti'icfu! opening out of knowledge— through the eye only tlinugh—a form of knowledge that was spreading wonderfully, hut was extremely shallow. They had none of tho exouisito art illustrations which made our homos so bright, and beautiful, no gas in their houses or streets, no electricity for public use. There was npt even kerosene. They had no kerosene lamps. They did not even have mutches with which to light tho lamp?. He did not, think people realised these wonderful changes. Farmers ill these days had no reapers and binders, .and 110 threshing mills. Everything had to be done by hand. There were 1:0 bicycles, no motors, 110 trains, 110 trains. There were no such things as-asphalt footpaths. There were hardly any steamers. Peoplo used to take 116 days to come out to this country only 6ljl years ago. There were no flying machines.—(Laughter.) When men fought- in those days it was generally hand to h'aml and eye to eye. There wore 110 rides, no long range cannon, 110 ironclads, no torpedoes, no submarines, lie was sneaking of tilings which were before thorn in everyday literature. Medical men knew nothing whatever about bacteria, and consequently knew nothing about, the wonderful antiseptic treatment which made it possible to save hundreds of human lives. •There were no Rontgen rays. Such a. thing was unthinkable even 20 years ago. There were none of the blessings of chloroform. What- had all this to do with tho Y.M.C.A. movement? He wanted to put it that we ourselves had undergone such vast changes that it had brought about other changes which he thought he could l»int out to (hem. Let them think of the way in which literature—especially in these late ycais—filtered down through the masses until it was now the possession of evcryons. The greatest minds of tho greatest thinkers of all time could now be possessed by anyone for a. few pennies. We had come to look every day of our lives to have the news of the whole world foousscd in a few columns; and wo were not content with eight or 12 or 16 pages, but wo wanted that twice a day, and we wanted a variety of comic papers and illustrated papers and magazines.. There had been an enormous increase in the sum of human knowledge, but were we wiser to-day, were we better educated than our fathom were? He was inclined to think we were not much better educated, if liny, because our knowledge was very superficial as eompaved with tho depth of olden times. He believed that spirit permeated not only our education, but our work as woll. lie referred to a very remarkable work of art which he had seen in Antwerp —a fountain and a cross 40ft or 50ft high, all of hammered ironwork and all constructed hundreds of years ago by one famous workman, lie was quite safe in saying that. 110 workman of the present day could turn out such a wonder, though it might be produced by the collective work uf a great many hands. He believed that spirit permeated our literary knowledge aa well, and influenced also our religious life very deeply. We seemed to think it was .so ef«jntiai to stve time that we had 110 time in our families for religious life, and it. was practically crowded out in a viist number of eases even from homes which called themselves Christian homes. If our church life was failing it was because tho family life had failed. And so it had become necessary to go outside the family and, in a certain sense, outside the churches—though he wished to point, out that one of the basal fccts of the Y.M.C.A. was that tho 'members of it must, all be .members of churches. It was only through the churches they were going to work, and the churchiis were going to work through them.—(Applause.) JSut the churches could not often get outside their borders and influence the world of men who had drifted

away, and povhrps become actively hostile. It was in order mat they might bo able to attack this vast dead world as it were, lying outside, that, an association of that kind was in existence. That was tho genesis of if. What they tried to do in their associations was to surround young fellows 'with influences that mado for righteousness. They tried to build up young men who would give their strength and abilities to the furtherance of the work of Christ in the oomnuinity. v They did this on tho three lines of physical development, because they wanted their young men to be clean and strong in body; of intellectual development, because their young men must give their best to this work; of spiritual development, because' they hoped that every young man who worked for thom would give himself fiist of all to his Master's service. AA'lien young people came—especially from tho country—and were thrown for tho first time into the .vortex of city life they were extremely liable to bo swept away into the stream of pka-'uiro or other things that did not make for righteousness. One of tho association's objects was to bring these young men into such surroundings as would help them in their future life. There was also an allied institution which was not in evidence that, day, but. which was doimi fine work. lie referred to their Boys' Homo. Many Ixiys came here starting work, and had difficulty in getting into ordinary boarding houses. They provided for them a homo which was not a charitable institution. It had to pay its way, but they wore not conecrncd to make a profit out of it. There t.hey strove to give boys coming from tho country all tho advantages of a Christian home. In that way they hoped to leaven very strongly the younn com-

munity of this place, and, through the young imen, they hoped, to leaven the wholo community. He said God bless this work that thev were engaged in that day.—(Apylauso.)

Mr Anscombe, tho architect, then presented the Hon. Mr Fowlds with a handsome silver trowel, on which was inesribed: Presented to tho Hon. George Fowlds, Minister of Education, on the occasion of laying tho foundation stone of tho Y.M.C.A. building, Dunedin, March 24, 1911. Edmund Anscombe, architect."

HON. AIR FOWLDS'S ADDRESS. The lion. Mr Fowklsj on stepping for ward to speak, was received witln very warm applause. lie said: Mr President, Mr Anscombe, Ladies and Gentlemen,—before proceeding to laji the foundation stono of this beautiful building I desire to offer my hearty thanks to Mr Anscombi for tiio handsome memento presented to mo 011 this occasion. I desire also to congratulate tho Executive Committee of tho association and tho members of the association, and tho people of Dunedin 011 tho consummation of their efforts to secure a. suitable building wherein to carry 011 tho • work of the I'oung Men's Christian I Association. Tho association is in the business of bettering men. 111 this it has engaged for 66 years, with increasing capital, of men, experience, l and equipment. Its activities aro directed by business men who have won. success in their own vocations. The time has passed when afl apology for work of this kind is needed. Tho tide of apathy and mere pleasureseeking never ran more strongly than now, and never inoro leriously endangered the highest material and moral intercuts of your men. On all hands it in admitted that a comparatively, small—probably a lessening—proportion) c-f young men are in direct touch with tho churches. Not only do the churches suffer, but it is nowadays a common complaint on tho part of heads of business firms that it is difficult to get young men to think seriously of eelf-un-provement or tho thorough equipment of themselves by painGt,aki.ng study for useful and creditable positions in life. With the utmost sympathy for alt tho legitimate pursuits of young men, and a very mil ■regard for their proper recreation and pleasurable interest, nil that is thus urged, it must bo conceded, is true to facts. Commercial and national interests are involved if this is true. Such work as the associations arc seeking to do tummies, therefore, a now and altogether wider significance. If when Sir George AV'illiams set. this movement going in London 111 1844 the conditions in which young men lived gave the Y.M.C.A. great initial scope, the present day conditions, although considerably altered, and i.n somo respects immensely improved, afford an even more remarkable opportunity. Tho associations are challenged to a. strenuous endeavour on behalf of the young manhood of cacli country in order to impress it. with a new sense of dignity, the responsibility, a.iicl tlw possibility of life. Thai it is doing this any student of the movement, must concede. Its lilOO branches exist in almost every country. Its membership approximates 1,003,003, and itn ramifications extend into every stratum of society. Its members thread tho vocations. They are part of the fabric of each nation's life from tho store to tho university, the mine to the manufaC'tuory, the railroad to the battleship. The Y.M.C.A. is a mutual undertaking. Men and boys who ontcr association membership do so to better themselves through, its classes and other iVjtJieics, a:nd in turn become contagious characters, with a purpose ro help someone else. They become cieancr in their speech, Christian in their character, healthier through the gymnasium and the baths, and cf better mortals through the inculcation of high ideals Tho Y.M.C.A. represents as-i-flciatcd clTort—assnciiite'l for the purpcee of helping and bettering men, by men for iron. This is >nobably why it appeals *o all sections of men in each community whore it is established. The men whoj6 capital io their hands a.nd their skill arc in t.ho association i.n large numbers. Tho evening classes are full cf That tho business firms recognise the importance of this is shown hv the following:—A seal company in America, gave £2000 to the association to teach its men in a mining institute. Three asfopiations among the cotton-mill hands were provided in one month because of Hie v/elfare work done. A construction company telegraphed a pledge of £-10 per month to retain a secretary's influence in its camps. Sugar lelining milk in California and Cuba have provided buildings and secretaries' salaries;, lumber, paper, steel, copper, and coal companies are doing tho same. The association's work aiming the men. of the army and navy has had far-reaching and remarkable influence lioth in tho United Kingdom nd in America.. The strength of tho army and navy is measured by the strength of men. A ChristiiMiised soldier is a more valuable piecfc . of mechanism in tho Government service. Tho British Y.M.C.A.'s have for 10 years engagil.l in this work of meeting the social and religious needs of the men in the Volunteer and Territorial camps. 111 1909 owr 80 camps were served, the enrolment of men' being over 150,000. Letters, post-cards, and parcels sent from tk» Y.M.C.A. touts '•cached the .amazing total of and a little short of £10,000 was turned over for postage stamps and poital orders. What economy this effects, how strongly it maintains home tios, and how successfully it protects the young Territorial from intemperance, gambling, and other temptation must bo apparent to any who understand the conditions obtaining ill camp life. The Y.M.C.A. tent has become an indispensable factor in Territorial camp life. By tho tact, and wisdom of the workers a way has been found to the hearts of 'tho men; and officers of all grades, as well as rank and file, are ready to aektrawlfdge that splendid work has been, and is being, accomplished which raises the entire .morale of the camp-s. Tho leisure hours of camp life are now rendered enjoyable and even profitable, and all sorts of interests aro developed for tho men, with the sole end in view cf helping them and keeping them out of harm's way. Mr Kaldane, after receiving a report of tho work in one division, said: "It is"an exceptant record, and has given me muc.li pleasure to read. I have tho very highest opinion of the association's influence for g'ood, and I welcome its assistance in providing for tho welfare j of tho Territorial Forces." Similar cxI prcssions made by distinguished officers in both, the army ami navy of America record their appreciation of ihe association's efforts ou bnlialf cf tho men of tho army 'and navy of that country. The association's usefulness has been demonstrated in the JapaneM army, in South Africa, with Canada's militia, the American soldiers in Alaska and the Philippines, just as it has been with the 111011 on the railroads, on the Paliama Isthmus, and in the universities and high schools. The work among boys has developed phenomenally. Over 200,0C-3 boys are being reached by tho American and Canadian Associations alone. Jicttor Ijoys nteau better men, of course, ami that means better homos and business. —(Applause.) A father was rijlit who said: "If I can fide my hoy safely through his teens, I am not further concerned about his future." That "tiding" is'done by the loaders of t.ho boys' leisure 111 sports, in service, and in spiritual life—nil go together. The !>?st. cf bettering work is dono ill the loon time by boy loaders directed by hoy trainers. In the American, and Canadian Y.M.C.A.'s, where the greatest development of tho movement. h;;s taken place, tilt! work has asmmed proportions which must be witnessed to bo realised. Relieving that. most. irj?.n arid bovs aro interested in the best things, the association, bucked by tho best business men in the Continent. h;ive provide'.! facilities for their betterment which affect thorn on all sides of their natures. The phvsical always appeals to the manly typo of mon and boys. Nearly 600 gymnasiums directed by men .scientifically prepared for leadeishin'in the training schools <*iablishcd for the purpose are the radiating centres of hralth and physical salvation. Last year 270,000 men and boys wore drilled 'for physical cxccllojice and efficiency by these director and nearly 10.000 volunteer leaders were instructed in the methods of exercise and laws of health, 0? recreation, of lifc-avin-and of sanitation and rishl, living The<e men arc putting their 'time and jminng at the service of society in shop and factory, in playground, for Sunday school hoys, and leadin.my •■■routs. As the president of the I.oronlo (Canada) Y.M.C.A. said recently^ ivve*i ,p y ." G' ft °f £10,000! I--J1 ; A'r "wpools to me as a practical institution doing a most' important piece of Christian servico for a cass in the community upon which the future of ihe city, the state, the nation, and the world really depends. The sa.nitv of its methods 10 scopo and variety of its activities! the standing that it has wile-over it is in existence, and the character of |Ik> busings men who aro identified with it unite to oominond it to my judgment as a splendid channel through which I may express some part of the interest I have as a citizen and a Christian in tho welfare of my fellowinn>n." The iromaTkahle hold that this movement, has secured on the interest and practical support of the host business mon is evidenced by the fact that, during last year (1910) over 60 new buildings wore added, to tho association's equipment in Amorioa and Canada at a cost of

£1,200,000, and nearly £3,000,000 is now in hand and pledged for new buildings. At the Whito House in Washington there was recently oonvenud a meeting of American captains of finance for the purpose of enlisting their further support to the foreign extension offorts of the YrM.C.A. An appeal was made for gifts aggregating £400,000 for the establishment of 6U now buildings for Y.M.C.A. purposes in Eastcm countries. 'Mr John 1). Rockefeller made a notable contribution of £100,000, and many other largo amounts wero donated, so that already four-fifths of tho amount has been assured. The Hon. John Wanaimaker, who lias erocted Y.M.C.A. buildings in India, Korea, Japan, and China, pledged himself to provide the means for another. And why do these men stand behind he work of tho association? It'is because the Association has a manhood factory, is taking hold of tho raw niaterials, and by different processes to suit the material it is changing, transforming, transmuting tho Ixiso into tho valuable; and it is doing it in'a manner wlfich appeals to their business sense. Its religious work is marked by sanity and pjitcrprise. It believes in the Bible as a transforming agent, and uses it as a potent means of character-building. Scores of thousands of -men and boys arc studying its pages in association classes, and are drawing inspiration and power from their study. The meeting has gone to tho men, as well as the men to the meeting. In mines, shops, engine-houses, at noon or midnight, men havo had the Gospel message that has mado life to many of them and to their families a different thing. Wives, chidren, church, city, community are bettered vrith these pormanentlybettcred men, who are themselves Incoming forces affecting others. (Businees men support this work because, its results unako ior tho bottcrpicnt of tho nation.) Through religious sendees, personal addresses, Bible teaching, and organised endeavour tho association has brought Christianity's message to hundreds of thousands of men and boys, thus aixJusing new life, re-enforcing moral purposes, and blessing and bettering life. Tho Y.M.C.A. is a work in which imon, and bovs havo wrought, with employers, capital, Government, and schools in the business of betterment ill tho spirit of Christian co-opora-ticn. There is enough .demonstrated to give assurance that more can. bo done for men, and dono tetter, with irion and capital consecrated to t|*o tasks. Tho outlook on the future is based 011 the demonstration of tho past. What has boxi dono is assurance of what may bo and should be done in larger measure, increasing extent, for all men everywhere. Boyond the building and into tho community and its wolf re l:t> association is summoned by tho call of God and man's need. This building, at a total cost of nearly £25,000, is being raised by the busings men of this community as an agency for the glory of God and "the servico of mon," as this stone makes clear; and the future alone will reveal the results of this generous and inspiring service for the young men and boys of this community.—(Applause.). THE FOUNDATION STONE.

Mr Hughes, secretary of the association, road the list of articles to be placed in a cylinder under the foundation stoita, us follows:—One copy of the Ofcigo Daily Times for Saturday, 25tli March, 1911; one copy of the Evening Star for Friday, 21th March, 1911; annua! report? for 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911; list of the-Board of Directors and Trustees; copy of the constitution of the association; a selection of printed matter; and a complete list of the membership. ' Tho foundation stone was then laid by the I-lon. Mr Fowl-ds, after which ho said: I litKc very much pleasure in declaring this «tone well and truly laid to the glory of God and for - the service of men. I hope that from the- foundation here laid there may rise a superstructure perfcct- ill all its part-sand honourable to tho builders, a.nd thnt when completod it may be a home and a help to tho young m-?n of this city in all the coming generations.—(Applause.) Tho foundation, stone bears the followirtg inscription Young 1 Men's . Christian Association of Dunedin. To tho "glory of God and for the servico of men this stor.o was laid on the 24th day of March, 1911. by the Hon. George Fowlds, Minister of Herbert Webb, president." Mr W. Burnett, expressed the deep regret felt by the Mayor of Dunodi-n (Mr Cole) that lw was ittiablo to bs with thorn that afternoon. Ilis Worship, ho addrd, took tho deepest interest in -any .work that was calculated to improve the -pceition of the young men cf the\city. For himself, he wished to congratulate the association on -providing r. long-felt want in the'citv. ■As a country-bred man, he knew the temptations of city life the youth from a-country district. But;'.in "a homo.such as that ho would be 1 (-urroundod .by good influences, and h'n> career in city life w'oukl be started under atiopices that wculd, no doubt, work for his lasting welfare—(Applause.)

Tho Rev. Mr Dutton pronounced flic benediction,. and after tho singing of the National Anthem tho gathering'-dispersed.

REUNION OF MEMBERS.

A reunion of members of tho Y.M.C.A. was held in (ho association's rooms, Stuart street, last evening, when there wo to piosent directors, trustees, and mombeis to tile numljer of about 50. Mr Herbert Webb (president) presided, ami road several apologies for aboiice, nlfro messages of goodwill from iieociations in other centres. Tho evening opened with the partaking of an enjovab.e supper, after which speeches were delivered, and a brief programme of Kings and recitations contributed. Mr D. Gilmour proposed the toast of " Presidents, Post. and Present." Their IMst president (Mr G. M. Thomson) they all Along with other members of the association who had been associate:! witli its work from Ihe very commencement, thoy had received the very greatest help and assistance from their past president and his connection with their association. The association was at 0110 time r. very small institution, and had passed through somo troublous tin:cs, and was now one of tho foremost,' if not tho foremost, association in New Zealand. From tho very beginning their. past president' had hold tho confidence' and respcct not only of the board and senior men of the association, but, of every one of their membore. Mr Herbert Webb (the. present president) was also loved and respected by all those who ciurio in contact with hini.\ Ho had graduated in the. association's work by taking a very keen interest in the junior work of the association. Thoy had overy reason to be thankful for having 6uch n man as Mr Webb as their president. Mr Webb, in responding, returned thanks on behalf of himself and Mr G. M. Thomson. l'eisonally, ho was very glad to have held the oflico of president of tho as.:ociatiou because it had given him the rvjnt to attend tho meetings of {ho different committees. As for Mr Thomson, ho had ahvaye hold tho highest admiration and respect for that gentleman. It afforded him tho greatest pleasure and delight .to bo present with tho boys of the association. Mr R. Crawford proposed tho toast of "The Directors and Trustees." In looking at tho personnel of the board, they could, he gai'.l, consider themselves very fortunate. Thoy were all very busy men, but they could afford to give up some of their time to tho interodo of the association. And it augured well for tho association when such men associated themralves with them. They were highly indexed to them for the intewt taken in tho movement. Captain Strang, a vice-president of t.'ao association, responded. Their trustees, ho said, included some of the foremost businofs men in the city, and the members of the association should accordingly feel a great amount of satisfaction in tliev were under the wing of such gentlemen. Thero was every reason to congratulate themselves in having those men associated with them. As lo tho directors, they were all very busy men, but their heart was in tho work' of the association.

Mi- J. B. Waters proposed Hie toast of "Our Now Ilomc." 110 express'.':] the hope that the new building would ensure for them the real warmth of a home—in other words, that, it would prove a kind of sccond homo. He trusted the new building would gather round it associations of all kinds, of good fellowship, and. memories that they could carry with them thiough life and look back to with pleasure. Tiioy all knew what the new homo would con- | tain. It would contain so.many advantages that the person 'who was not satisfied would be a person who was very hard to please indeed. If the members would supply the enthusiasm, the esprit de corps and the courage to go on, tlnj was all that was required to make th.i now building a success. Mr John Gray responded. When they wore established in the now building the work of the association, ho said, would bo enhanced very considerably. lie trusted, and had every hope, that tlio result would be the uplifting of the young inen of the city and the advancement of the work (hey wore interested in. They looked forward to raising, not only the physical and mental side of their young inon, but also the spiritual side, which was of the greatest consideration, arid which in those strenuous times was only too much neglected. Mr 11. K. Wilkinson proposed "Xhe World-wide Movement." Recently he had had the privilege o{ attending the world's conference of the Y.M.C.A. in Livorpool, and was there afforded an insight into the work that was being conducted in

evory part of tho world. The movement was larger than any of them had any conception of, Its influcnco was going to be ono of tho greatest of any movement in' the history of the world. In 1844 the first association was formed, and at tho present timo thoro were 8000 associations in tho world. In America and Canada there woro 14 million pounds invested in Y.M.C.A. buildings, and in Great Britain one and a-quartpr millions.

Mr j. F. Arnold, M.P., spoke of tho possibilities that lay in the Y.M.C.A. as a universal peacemaker, because of tho love of man for man. Tho association knew no distinction of nationality or denominationalism, and as it pushed its mission into every country, it would have a power greater than any church in bringing about universal peace. Tho concluding toast, that of "The Press," was proposed by Mr W. G. Hannah. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded members of the Social Committee, and in particular Mr W, Hare, for their efforts during tho evening.