CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8449, 14 May 1906, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

The V.M.C.A.

[to the editor.] Sir,—Probably at no time in its career has the Young Men's Christian Association been so popular among the young men as it is at the present time. The platform of the Association is wide in its religious influence—its fundamental principle being to unite men to Christ as their Lord ancl Saviour. The Association aims not only at the spiritual welfare of its members, but also at the mental, moral and physical side of young manhood. The large donations made by citizens and the keen interest manifested in the work of the V.M.C.A. in the large cities of the world by the leading business men goes to show that they recognise the good work the Association is doing' in providing healthy and clean recreations for the young men. We have, I am pleased to say, a branch of this grand association in Masterton, and, Mr Editor, the question which I pause to ask myself is this,—Considering the work the officers and members of the branch are doing to uplift the young men, to provide healthy and pure recreation, do we, as residents, give the Association that support and encouragement they deserve, and which is needful, if the local Association is to continue to flourish and be a power for good in our midst ? Times are, when we are apt to forget our indebtedness to such associations ; to make much of troubles that temporarily overcome them, and to fail to recognise even in a small degree' the great good that they accomplish. Many a young man in this colony -of ours has had cause to thank God for the good influence of the V.M.C.A. Yes, even in this town, one can see the good influence of the Association at work. The local Bible Class and Debating Society, with admirably arranged syllabus, provided matter for instructive meetings during the winter months. The reading and social rooms are well ' managed, ancl the members frequenting them well-behaved. The officers of the Association are zealous in the discharge of their duties. In Mr P. L. Hollings (President), Mr A. Rees (Secretary), and other officials, the Association have men whose one desire is to see the Society become a great influence for good among the young men. And I sincerely trust that all who have it in their power will assist this Association in order that its career will be one of greater usefulness, and I hope that your j Den and influence will ever be exercised for a cause that unquestionably tends to make this world better to live in.—l am, etc., "Pro Virili Parte." Masterton, May 9th, 1906. . [We do not quite sea the object of this letter. The .business men of Masterton have given the V.M.C.A. a splendid start, and now are waiting to see what the young men themselves are doing with it. For a time the V.M.C.A. should cultivate a spirit of self-reliance.—Ed. W.D.T.j