Y.M.C.A. NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19774, 23 February 1927, Page 14

Y.M.C.A. NOTES

HERE AND EVERYWHERE A WORLD MOVEMENT. (Contributed by the Association). As we publish for the first time an official Y.M.C.A. column in the “Chronicle” we wish to thank tho management of the paper for the courtesy extended to us. We realise that the paper has a wide circulation and that to many of the subscribers local news will not have very much interest. We, therefore, hope to include in each column some news of our organisation of general interest. The Y.M.C.A. is a vast international movement and, as such, its very work is of interest to all concerned with the youth of the world. We are living in most difficult times, but perhaps the I irightest spot of this difficult world situI ation is the number of organisations i working amongst the youth of the j world. The Y.M.C.A. and the boy scout ; are tho two youth movements that arc I endeavouring to promote international I friendship amongst the boys of the world. The Y.M.C.A. is able to extend its work beyond the sphere of boyhood and is hoping to hold its membership to the ideals of world friendship as they develop from youth into mature manhood. Wc hope that week by week the readers of this column may gain a greater knowledge of the problems confronting the jeuth of the world and a larger appreciation of the forces that are endeavouring to solve them. t, THE BOYS’ DEPARTMENT The various committees of the boys’ department are planning the autumn and winter activities. The first big gathering i n the boys’ department will be held on Saturday, March 5, when the 4th annual camp reunion will be held. Not only this year campers, but also all previous campers will be invited to attend the reunion. Earlier in the same week there will also be rallies for primary and secondary school boys. The gymnastic enthusiasts are also looking forward to an early resumption of their activities.

! THE YOUNGER MEN’S CLUB. j The committee of the Younger Men’s ; Club have arranged for the opening gathering for the year to b 0 held on Friday night next. Plans for tho year have been discussed by the committee and it is anticipated that last year’" record in enthusiasm will be beaten during the coming season. THE OPTIMISTS’ CLUB. The Optimists’ Club of the Wanganui Y.M.C.A., founded early in October under the presidency of Dr. G. H. Robertson, is proving a live organisation. There has been quite a number j of enquiries as to the nature and objects of th e club. The club is com posed of young men between the ages of 21 and"4o who subscribe to the club ideals of fellowship and service. Briefly the objects of the club are:— 1. The promotion of fellowship amongst young men in all walks of life. This is prompted through the weekly luncheon and the occasional social gatherings. 2. The gaining of up-to-date knowledge on economic, social, and international problems through lectures, talks, etc., given at the weekly lunch. 3. To serve the community to the best of their ability and to help existing organisations in whatever direction consistent with their constitution. The Optimists’ Club is a New Zealand branch of the men’s club of America. Christchurch was the first club to be founded in New Zealand, and the Wanganui club the second. WORLD SECRETARY FOB Y.M.C.A. ALLIANCE. The new general secretary of the worlds committ°c of the Young Men’s Christian Association is Mr. Walter W. Gethmann. He has had an extensive connection with the boys’ work of the Y.M.C.A. and his appointment is significant in that it emphasises the great emphasis the Association is placing on boys’ work. Prior to his present appointment, Mr. Gethmann was for six years national secretary of the Y.M.C.A. of Czecho-Slovakia. To a large extent it has been his quiet, unobtrusive, and efficient leadership that has brought the Y.M.C.A. of Czecho-Slovakia into its present prominent position. This same able and prophetic leadership is now to be given to the world wide Y.M.C.A. OUR LOCAL MEN. The resignation of Mr. R. E. Cuthbertson from the board of directors was received with regret at the last board meeting and the hope expressed that, when business engagements allowed him, he would resume his seat. Ron Campbel! is making a satisfactory recovery after his nasty accident. Dick Tiszard has been confined to bed with a severe attack of influenza. Messrs. Heibner, Gordon, and Irwin have left for the training college at Wellington. FIRST LAYMAN PREACHER IN SINGAPORE CATHEDRAL. On the evening of Sunday, April 18. 192 G, Sir Arthur Yapp had the privilege of preaching in St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Singapore. Though this was the 21st occasion on which he had occupied the pulpit of a Cathedral, the experience was an entirely novel one. It was very hot; the fans were all in motion, and, with no glass in the windows, but all open, every sound from the esplanade (the cathedral immediately faces the sea) could be distinctly heard. His Excellency the High Commissioner and Lady Guillemard were present, also the Colonial Secretary and other leading British officials, the Bishop of Singapore, the Archdeacon, and representatives of all sections of the community “A Focussing Point for Life.” —The Malayan “Saturday Post,” in the course of an admirable leading article, said: “Sir Arthur Yapp’s visit is certainly developing fresh public interest in the work of the Young Men ’s Christian Association. Even in the large centres of population, the Y.M.C.A. has experienced some difficulty in ‘car Tying on.’ The reason is that their membership consists very largely of iron-European youth# earning

incomes, who can only afford small subscriptions, so that for the ‘sinews of war’ a certain reliance must be placed on the public generosity. What we hope that Sir Arthur Yapp will be able to do is to convince the whole community—firms and individuals—that the. Y.M.C.A. is a worthy object for generous and adequate support. It does splendid work for young men in giving them a focussing point for conducting their lives in clean and manly fashion, and providing opportunity for comradeship between the members of different communities. It it is to be able to continue that work and expand it. it must have an assured income of substantial proportions. And the way to provide that income is for large numbers of people to give regular annual subscriptions, however small —a humble five dollars a year would not be despised, and few cannot spare it—and for a few wealthy people to give endowments to be assembler! as a permanent investment, yielding a steady revenue. Few better uses for redundant riches could be found.”

Wo quote this extract in full, first because we have rarely seen th e case for adequate sunport for tho Y.M.C.A. more admirably stated; and secondly because it gives an example of the splendid support we received from the Press during the tour through British Malaya. The movement in that land of eternal summer and perpetual green has a valuable ally in the Press. — “British Manhood.”

HINTS ON HEALTH. By a Qualified Chemist. THE BEST MEDICINE. “A qualified chemist, such as T am. comes in contact with much sickness and Irtarns a lot about the efficacy and potentcy of the drugs that doctors prescribe. “Now, I could give you much information about this drug and that, but I am going to tell you about something far more interesting. It’s about Anti-Acido and its wonderful rise to fame. A few years lago it was practically unknown. To-day, thousands of people ar c maintaining vigorous, joyous health by keeping their stomachs in proper working order with Ajiti-Aeido. It is my ‘best seller.’ “Your health is only as good as your stomlach allows it to be, and, when you realise that great tru*h, you will understand why Anti-Acido is so extensively Used. If you suffer from indigestion, acidity, flatulence, pain, pr discomfort after meals take my advice and use Anti-Acido at once.”—Advt.