MASTERTON Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9698, 1 November 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON V.M.C.A.

LADIES' AUXILIARY

In response to au invitation from the youug meu of the Mastertou Y.M.O. A. there was a large attendance of the Ladies' Auxiliary at the Strangers' Tea yesterday afternoon, the rooms being taxed to their utmost holding capacity. Mr P. L. Holliugs presided. The Rev. A. T. Thompson was the speaker for the afternoon, who addressed those present on the tone and spirit that characterised the presentday Christian. Ohristiaus in these clays, he said, had grown altogether too modest and lived in au atmosphere of toleration aud liberalism, being far too much inclined to become concessional. As a result of this laxity our Christian blooci was losing its iron. We formed no part of the Church Triumphant, nor did we belong to a Church Militant. As a matter of fact we belonged to a church that was non-committal; we were not decided enough, aud the tendency was to apologise for our religious beliefs. There was with us a lack of that note of challenge that characterised the life of St. Paul, and ever since the wave of criticism iiad sen in from the publication of Darwin's Origin of Spercies, Christians had been too weaE-kueed aud the criticism had been allowed to have too much of its own way.

Mr Rollings also addressed those present on the need and work of the Y.M. C.A. The talk of closing down, tie said, was entirely out of place, and to do so would be nothiug short of a calamity, while it would be also admitting defeat, which they were not going to do. He extended a cordial welcome to tiie ladies present, stating that the greatest friend the V.M.C.A. had in Masterton was the Ladies' Auxiliary. He alluded also to the important part played by the V.M.C.A. in the life of young men, and in conclusion thankod the ladies for their splendid wort Sunday after Sunday. Mrs JBlackmau, president of the Ladies' Auxiliary, briefly replied, expressing on behalf of the ladies her thanks for the very enjoyable afternoon that had been accorded thorn.

At the conclusion a number of those present journeyed out to the Solway Home, where an address was delivered by Mr F. de Lisle and was very much appreciated by the inmates.