PUBLIC MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4942, 5 March 1884, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING.

After the tea had been cleared away and the hall had been re-arranged, a public meeting, at which there was a large attendance, wag held. Mr W. Chirystoll presided, niul on the platform were a number of clergymen and others, members of Association, and also the choir of the Durham street Wesleyan Chapel, who, from time to time, sang some anthems, &c. After the singing of a verse of the " Old Hundredth," . The Key White opened the meeting with prayer. Mr Chrystall briefly addressed the audience.. t Sir William Fox, who was received with long-continuod applause, spoke to the following effect : — It was never without feelings of satisfaction that he visited Canterbury, for he stood in a peculiar position in respect to this fino Province. About 33 years ago the Canterbury Association, which was formed as a younger brother of his New Zealand Company, sent out Captain Thomas as their surveyor, who placed himself in communication with him with a view to selecting the place for the settlement. He remembered, in company with Captain Thomas and Messrs Cass and Wills, wandering over the extensive plains of this district, the only population of which were the Bros Deans and Mr Gebbie, with a few wretched Maoris. After getting up to the source of the Waimakariri they finally took their departure from the lovely harbour of Akaroa. Ho remembered sitting on the hill above where Lyttelton now stands and dreaming of the far distant future. That dream had been more than fulfilled, and he felt that his youth was being renewed at what he saw, and at the thought that he had been even slightly mixed up with the establishment of so great a Province. (Applause.) But it was not only for the material prosperity and social characteristics of this community that, he felt pleasure, but that he. should have been solected to perform the duty he had been honoured with gratuitously and unasked for on that day. Never had he felt more humbly proud than on this occasion. He sincerely hoped that the work thus begun would rapidly contribute to the extension and consolidation of the Association. (Applause.) Some might ask what was the good of these Young Men's Christian Associations. It was a pertinent question, which might be proposed by very good Christians. There was work for such an organisation, for thero was a great deal of work which the churches could not reach. The edification of the people belonged to the churches, but work outside this fell to the Association, which immensely assisted the churches. Many things in the history of the Church of Christ wore not very intelligible to the students, and none more, perhaps, than the various branches worshipping the same God. It was a pity that these should exist, but he had no doubt that in the mind of God it was wisely ordered. In the various churches there was a tendency to isolation, and this was contrary to the true spirit of Christianity. (Applause.) It had its advantages, and operated beneficially, .but had an evil effect which it would Jbe better to be without. That was where the Association broke the ground and brought • members of all churches under one roof as servants of one common Lord and Master. (Applause.) There was andther exclusivism which excluded tho churches and formed knots of ten or a score. He would not mention them by name, but their Shibboleth was ever becoming narrower. In a Scotch town there was one such which was reduced to the loader and his brother Sandy. The leader was asked if he believed that no one was going to heaven but himself and his brother. Ho replied : " Well, I'm no just Bure aboot Sandy." (Laughter.) Tho Association broke down such exclusiveness, and gathered in from the highways and by-wayß all who believed in the Bible, the Saviour, and eternal life in Christ Jesus. (Applause.) Tho institution was upeoi silly for young men, though probably it would not do to be too particular inlookiugrecruitsmtheinouth. (Laughter.) It should uloo moot the new settlers. In fact, it should do the rank and file work of the churches, and act as skirmishers to the regular army of ministers. He would not have any man join because he thought the institution would be a club. Nor was it for the promotion of cricket, or what was 'called muscular Christianity, but to promote the Saviourehip of the Lord Jesus. Don't let them have smoking rooms, which he condemned utterly. (Applause.) But as for other matters, such as manly exercises, &c, these could be used as adjuncts, but they were not the objects to be kept in view. The old Latin Grammar gave an example which was translated, " Let nothing that is mean or evil enter those walls within which there is a child. " If that was a heathen maxim, how much more should it be applied to the Association. The selection of the • books for tho library was a most important matter, and such things as yellow-backed hovels should bo carofully excluded. (Applause.) Ho had seen young ladies, in railway carriages reading translations of French novels which deserved no better fate than to be burned by tho hangman. '

He concluded by reiterating his pleasure at having taken ao prominent n part in connection with an institution which he hoped would endure so lon* as the world should last. (Applause.) Mr Clayton here played a solo on the clarionette. The Rev J. Chaffers- Welah felt exceedingly gratified at having been called upon to speak a few words, as a representative of the Church to which he belonged. When first asked to appear there he had come to the conclusion that tho reason why he should come was because if the big men would not tho little men must. (Applause.) The Committee had his hearty and full sympathy, and he was specially glad to have that opportunity of identifying himself with the work. A great desire was being generally felt and expressed for a return to unity in the Church, and not a few in every section of the community were earnestly working and praying for the accomplishment of this work. Surely, and not, as he belioved, so slowly as some thought, there was an increasing drawing together in England, Scotland and Ireland of all denominations to do a common work for a common master. The time was not distant when all who followed the Lord Jesus would be found working Bhoulder to shoulder. He would have been glad if some more prominent member of the Church to which he belonged had occupied his place, but, after all, it did not much matter, for it was time that the laity ceased to wait for the lead of the clergy. The rank and file were too pressing, and carrying forward the • leader, as was sometimes done in war. (Applause.) He wanted to say a few words upon this great subject of unity. Why should this unity be sought after ? Some could see no answer to this question. He would give two very good reasons ; first of all, the injunction of our Lord, who desired all His disciples to be one, and the second reason was contained in the first. It was that we could not do the work of the people of God without this unity. Without this unity the powers opposafg religion could not be contended against with hope of success. Those powers were : the power of lawlessness ; the spirit of infidelity ; and superstition. The speaker, at some length, explained the objects of the Association, and exhorted the members to fulfil the obligations of their constitution. The Chairman announced that the Blue Eibbon Gospel Temperance Mission would commence this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. Mr Rowley played a flute solo, which was loudly encored, and had to be repeated. Mr W. G. Marsh was sure that the Association had the sympathies of the inhabitants of Christchurch. (Hear.-) He remembered when the lady of the Bishop of Melbourne had laid the corner-stone of the Association building in. that city. What claim had tho Association upon the Christian Churches ? It had every claim, because ita members were Christians. Theory was not wanted, but practice. He would to God that Church jealousy and fanaticism were hanged as high as Hainan, for they throttled the work of Christianity. They did not want professed sympathy, but the jingle and glitter of the gold. (Applause and laughter.) If that applause was not hypocritical, those who made it would not be satisfied with such sympathj. Nearly twothirds of tho criminal population were young men, to reform whom the merchants should extend their hands. Men would give .£IOO for such a work and give .£IOOO for their own Club? and yet thought they had done well for Christ. And here he would say that he hoped God would sweep away that " damnable day," the Kace Day in Melbourne; to tho coming of which mothers and fathers looked forward with fear and trembling. The" Association had a right to appeal to merchants and bankers, and he was glad to see a merchant in the chair. (Applause.) The City should give one tithe of the license fees raised from the " damnable" publichouses. If the Association saved one young man it saved what Jesus had shed his blood for, and who could estimate its value? They had a right to appeal to the Legislature which should be Christian, no matter what might be said. (Applause.) He was no politician, but would say that the Legislature should be Christian. He was ashamed of the Legislature of a Christian land that was afraid to begin their deliberations with prayer. The Association had a right to appeal to all present, for it waould make all Christians. He did not care what Church it made them members of. He concluded by styling the Young Men's Christian Association as a freemasonry, without cards, gambling, or secret signs, requiring nothing else but a felt want, now extending round tho globe, and ready to welcome every strange young man — a freemasonry of which Jesus Christ was the Grand Master, and . all the Associations were members. The Chairman announced that Sir W. would deliver a lecture on "Freethought," probably on Monday next. The Treasurer of the Association, Mr Guy, invited young men to take this opportunity of joining the Association, and stated that the Secretary would be found at the Booms every day between the hours of 12 and 1, and 5 and 6. Mr J. Coombs played a violin solo. The following votes of thanks were proposed by Mr F. W. Isitt, and seconded by Mr Jones, Secretary of the Association : — To the ladies who had assisted at the tea, to the choir, to the soloists, to the speakers and to the Chairman. The Secretary added the following : — To Mr A. J. White, for the loan of the drawing room furniture on the stage, the tasteful arrangement of which was due to Mr Marsh ; to the ladies who had subscribed to and presided at the tea ; to Messrs Miles and Co., and tho Union Steamship Company for the loan of flags ; and to the young men, non-members, who had assisted to make the campaign of the week a success. The votes of thanks were carried by acclamation. The Doxology and Benediction closed the meeting.