Y.M.C.A.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVI, Issue 4079, 28 April 1909, Page 2

Y.M.C.A.

HAMILTON. A reception of members was held at the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association last evening, when the building was packed to overflowing by a very enthusiastic gathering, mostly young men. The president of the Association, Mr J. S. Bond, occupied the chair, and reviewed the initial work from the time of its inauguration up to the present. He introduced Mr J. Rusden Salt, who had been appointed general secretary to carry on the work of organisation, and that gentleman briefly laid before the assemblage what was going to be done in the future for the young men of Hamilton, the success of which rested solely with the young men themselves. He was there to organise and assist the movement; but the co-operation of those interested was absolutely necessary. Gymnasium and educational classes were going to be started immediately, and in the future the association would be taking a hand in everything that tended to improve the manhood of the town. The speaker predicted that it was only a question of a few years when association men would be occupying the most prominent places in civic, social and commercial life in Hamilton.

Colonel Bell also spoke in eulogistic terms of the work'of the Y.M.C.A. Musical items were rendered by Messrs Davidge, Northcroft, Clark, Salt, and the Y.M.C.A. Glee Club.

What is the Young Men’s Christian Association? It is a high grade, low cost, young men’s club—Christian but nonsectarian. It is an athletic organisation that does not use men to promote athletics, but uses athletics to develop men. It is a night school for young men that work by day. It helps young men not only to help themselves, but to help “the other fellow.”

It is a place for a young man to find friends and to make himself a friend to the man that needs friends. It has no creed but in controlled by representatives of churches. This keeps it a Christian organisation, but prevents it from becoming another church.

Its fellowship, club rooms, gymnasium, classes, and all other practical advantages are open to all young men—of all faiths or of no faith.

It is not an experiment; but is the survivor of many experiments. While other young men’s organisations, social, athletic, educational, ethical, and even religious have failed, this has succeeded, and is now in successful operation in over eight thousand places throughout the world.

It is in Hamilton too, to grow with the growth of the town, and to safeguard and develop its greatest asset its growing men.

A meeting of the Cambridge branch of the Y.M.C.A. was held on Monday evening, when a debate took place on the subject, “Are New Zealanders too fond of sport?” Mr E. J. Wilkinson took the affirmative, and Mr Norman Macky the negative. Every member present took part in the discussion that followed, and after the principal speakers had replied a vote was taken on the subject, the voting favouring the affirmative by one vote. Some splendid ideas were brought out in the debate, and the debating department of the Y.M.C.A. promises to be a strong one. Mr Chas. Reid, vice president, occupied the chair.