TEMUKA YOUNG MEN’S CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1217, 14 August 1884, Page 3

TEMUKA YOUNG MEN’S CLUB.

: The 'Bev. Mr Hamilton delivered a lecture at the above clnb last Tuesday evening. There were about thirty members present. The rev. gentleman commenced by referring to the condition of the young men in the “Past and the “ Present.” The first showed young gathering at the street corners with no distinct aim, ready to be led wrong by any ill disposed of their number, or spend thou time in betting, drinking, smoking ant gambling, shunned by all respectable people as “larrikins” and "roughs.” People allowed this picture to hang up outside the walls of their city, despite the disparaging remarks of the 11 fourth estate,” the grumblings of the guardians of public peace, and deprecatory remarks of priest and Levlte. Strange to say, the young men themselves objected to this photograph, and, with some assistance, have produced a more ex- ,,, cellent picture of themselves, which they will no doubt present to the great city of Temnka, with their best thanks to those who have kindly helped them. The second picture was rapidly growing into popular favor, and he would endeavor to reproduce il. Freed from the tempta- , tiona of the streets, we behold these young men in email but comfortable rooms, —open, by the way, every night—playing at obess, and draughts, and dominoes, reading books and newspapers, developing their nftwoles by athletic sports, holding Committee meetings to arrange cricket, football, ’dramatics and other kinds of wholesome and rational recreation. The management of the Olnb'ia intrusted to a general Committee cf yomg m en. Boujhnesf, rudeness and ribaldry are banished ; gentleness, kindness, brotherly love, manliness, etc., taking their places, But, dropping metaphor, he said he would address them a few remarks based upon the motto of the Club : “ A sound mind in a sound body.” It is a double-barrelled motto. (1) Mind. (2) Body. The mind, on the one band, must be cultivated in order to secure decision of character; the body, on the other hand, must bo kept in a P 'lfect state of health by such exercise as will develops the muscle. The whole being of man is a sacred trust, and each one is responsible for keeping the faculties of mind, and body in the highest state of perfection. The object of the Club is to provide for the wants of two classes who are leading “ single-barrelled live*,” via.: (1) Those Who ate brain workers; (2) those who are manual laborers. The first are cultivating the mind at the expense and waste of the bodily tissue ; the second are developing the muscles without a corresponding intellectual .developement. Those who have been all day engaged as brain workers has an opportunity of using the “ other barrel ” in manly exercises and athletic sports ; and those who have been toiling at the plough, etc., will find In the pleasant rooms of tbe Olub food for thf mind, and books and games which will develops and strengthen the brain power. In order to become, in the real sense of the 'Word, a man, these things are necessary, Tbe chief business cf life is work, but man must have hours of relaxation. If recreation is necessary, should the young and inexperienced seek it for themselves nngnided by those who are the spiritual ' leaders of tbe people? Tf religion be a dominant influence, over the whole man, it ought to be able to guide and inspire us in the freedom and exuberance of recreation.

Xhe jhortneis of life, th« sinfulness of tin, - the consciousness of preparation for immortality, do give an awfnl seriousness to life, and might at first be thought *o banish all joy. Soms would therefore shu' their eyes and allow young men to spend their boars of idleness as they please in vi-re or thoughtless larrikinism, pswidd that they do not annoy th> m, and provided also that they make up for such amusement h gr< a'eseriousness and even repentance afterwards. But this is wrong, it is dealing with religion in the abstract, without considering the nature of man. Or earth, while man is w h»t he is. rest and work must succeed rash other as night and day. Best is recognised, nay commanded, in the "Bible, and amuse mentis ohufly rest of mind, or body, and the religion which recogd’s# nst must surely hare something to say about Trcret tion Amusement is a necessity, a»d -.f a necessity, *eliP' oD ma,t rPC'-gnis* l and guide, in stead of pro!C«b : ng it O' o ; nr>e (here are limits to recreation as there are to work, but if actuated by religious principles, and Tiewing life -i a eaored trust from God, they could nob tr:fls It away in the mere pursuit of pleasure, but. whether you eat or drink, laugh or weep, you will do all to the glory of God It had been remarked to him that if young men wanted " amusement” they could find it in a certain o’aseof religious meetings now extremely popular, but rehgi <us meetings for prayer and praise were hardly the place for, amu*em*nt.” They who were brain worker' were reacting a aimed trust if they allowed tlieir u ' " w: ich are tke temples <** . . ma " Hidy Gt}Ost, " - cec —xeepioU ai.d degenerated by neglect ct bodily vsero's**, and thus become answers,! e in rime to o for enfeebled genera:ions now pekowu. On the other handi who were manual laborers

T;-era neglecting sacred duties if they allowed the mind to lie Here ai in all things, they might take Him for their model who was born into the world, not simply to redeem it, but to show it an example of true manliness ; to show it what the ideal of man is and what all ought to be. Behold the Man! and let us be sure that wt arc not truly manly unless we are like unto Him. Who lo simple and natural a* Jesus Christ P All things to all men, he met them as a maw, joying in all their innocent jys and smypathixing in all their sorrows. There was othing of the “ Stand by thyself, for I am holier than thou” about Him, but while they dared not approach a Pharisee, and had little desire or inclination to do 60, even publicans and pinners were attracted to Pirn, He was a true, natural and real man. But on the other hand (and here is a lesson tor those who - foolishly think religion an effeminate thing) how loyal lo God Ho eve? was, how truly and devotedly Godly in every word and act, No one could accuse Him of being a weak man. His adversaries diocovrrad that ho was above them in all knowledge and mental ability. What solder ere’- <*~rroaobed Him that did not feel th.ii. thou > a mar, with more than a sddiorV ■ enrage? What hard worn toiler that did not ltd that there I was one that far eclipsed him in power of] work and human endurance. What strength of mind, power, dignity and command! “ What contempt of personal danger, even of pain and suffering I" and yet the manliest of men was—let it be a lesson to young m- n—the most holy, prayerful, devoted servant of God that ever lived. He it was who pleased not Himself. He it was who confessed God before men as none ever did before or sires. He it wa« that being Heaven’s type of Godliness, was also the true type of manliness. He knew when to deny Himielf, And we in net he able to give up that which leads us from godliness. Let ue follow Him. giving thanks for all the gladness and sunshine of life, and yet not forgetting that over all life falls that shadow of the Cross which, though it bo shadowed, is full of the divinest light. A unanimous vote of thank* to the rev. lecturer was passed by acclamation, [