YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 77

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Tlio Milton branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association, tvil.lt a vii tv to incrcasIng it* membership ami enlarging- its sphere of service, recently resolved to hold a special three days' campaign, sotting as its *' target ’’ the obtaining of 100 new members within that period. The project, was an ambitious one, but the optimistic members of the executive were sanguine that their hopes would be more than realised, and worked with a will arranging preliminaries for the campaign. The present members were divided into two teams, reds and blues, with prominent business men as captains and lieutenants. Mr Jameson, the national secretary, paid a special visit to Milton to ass st in conducting the campaign. The campaign was launched on Thursday, July 17, at a gathering of over 60 members. Mr James Rem, first president of the local Association, presided, and made hopeful remarks regarding the present campaign and the future of the Y.M.C.A. movement. Mr Jameson also spoke, dealing with the changed views of Y.M.C.A. leaders regarding country- work, ll had first beet! thought the movement was nn ant only for large centres and indu-irial comninnii its, but the country associations were demonstrating their snecces' in a remarkable manner. The reds and blue* were greatly in evidence on July 16. canvassing, but file results disclosed at the evening’s count were some■what disappointing—only 28 new members having been enrolled. A further energetic canvass was made on Saturday, which biought the tola! up to 72 for the first two days. Mr Jameson spoke at several gatherings, and conducted sm v ces in the local Presbyterian and 'Wesleyan churches on Sunday morning and evening. In the afternoon a men’s meeting was held in the County Chambers, and largely attended. The 14th Regimental Hand played the accompaniments for the various hymns during the service, and Mr Jameson delivered an inspiring address from Joshua I,verse 6: “ Be strong and of good courage. . . . Bo not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.” The strangers’ tea which followed was attended by 66 young men —a record in the history of the Milton Association. The campaign was brought to a close with a social on Monday evening, when it was announced that the object aimed at had been realised, and 107 new members had been enrolled. ’Phis consummation of their untiring efforts heartily gladdened those who had taken an active part in the campaign. Plans were discussed for a forward movement in (he work of the local branch of the association.