WORK OF THE Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18423, 2 July 1925, Page 5

WORK OF THE Y.M.C.A.

GENERAL SECRETARY'S REPORT. In meeting the members of the Board of Directors of the Christ church Y.M.C.A. on Tuesday evening for the first time since his return from gaining practical experience of the work in one of the American Associations, Mr R. A. Keuner presented an extended report of his observations and suggestions. He said that en route lie had been able to visit a number of Associations in Northern America, and had also conferred with leaders in England and Scotland. The work in America, he said, was characterised by a degree of support from the business community as well as by large buildings and a full supply of cquipn.cnt. A decided trend was for the Association to become less of an institution and more of a movement projecting its influence throughout the community in close co-opuration with the churches and other Christian organisations. The movement was more and more endeavouring to help in leading the thinking of young men and boys in keeping with the ideals of Christian citizenship.

Concerning his passing visit to London, Mr Keuner said that in spite of the financial stress under which the Motherland had been labouring, he found that the work of the Young Men's Christian Association had, einee the war, undergone sound development so that to-day it was stronger than ever. In Scotland, the work had progressed most along the lines of rural extension. By means of rural clubs in scattered districts it was helping to make life more wholesomely attractive for young people. One interesting development was in the nature of an effective system of travelling libraries. The speaker said that at the annual conference of the International Committee last summer, he was privileged to meet, leaders of Y.M.C.A. work from many parts of the Orient and Central Europe. The extension of the work to new countries appealed to hi in as something in tho noturo of a romance, and yet the leaders were determined to extend only where it was possible to build solidly with a view to the permanency of the work. It was interesting to note that the Young Men's Christian Associate was now established in 57 different countries with nearly one thousand brandies, and a total membership of approximately two million men and boys, firsthand reports from the world field indicated that the movement was being privileged to help the churches and kindred organisations more than ever in projecting the influence of Christianity. Since the war there had been a period of consolidation, and there was every indication that the work would continue to develop on sound lines. It was now more than eighty years-since the Association had an inspired beginning in London, and the way that, its influence extended throughout tho world was surely an indication that it had remained true to its foundation ideals. From all that he had seen and heard, he believed that the movement was more than ever determined to place first things first. Referring to tho work in Christchurch, Mr Kenner said ho did not know of any placo where there was a more encouraging outlook. There were indications of a general feeling of goodwill on the part of the churches, kindred organisations, the schools, and the community as a whole. The Association here had all through the years retained the interest of worthy citizens as directors and members. The influence of the work could be traced through many lives. Tho Association was doing a constructive work in helping to build the highest kind of citizenship. Ho believed that they were about to set out on a new era of progressivo development. The president, Mr A. F. Carey, expressed the Board's appreciation of the illuminating report which had been presented, and said that tho work of the Christchurch Association would bo greatly stimulated by the wider experience which had come to them through their general secretary.