BALCLUTHA YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 139, 9 March 1877, Page 6

BALCLUTHA YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The first session of the Balclutha Young Men's Christian Association was opened on Tuesday evening, with .an address by Rev. John M'Ara, in the Presbyterian Church. . The address dwelt chiefly with the character and object of such Associations. In speaking of the character of the Association, Mr M'Ara pointed out that it was not a mere Literary and Mutual Improvement Association. It was that to some extent, but it stood on a higher platform. While seeking the moral and intellectual improvement of its members, and all within its reach, yet the fact must never be overlooked that its chief aim, in all its agencies, was to secure the spiritual welfare of its members and others. The Association was not sectarian. It was not connected with any denomination. Its constitution admitted all who profess to love and acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and who acknowledge the divine inspiration of Holy Scripture. All minor differences are laid aside, and the members meet and work as portions of the universal church of Christ, who have the same Lord, the same faith, the same hopes, and the same home. In speaking of the benefits of the Association, Mr M'Ara quoted the testimony of Mr Moody, who said in an address at Liverpool, that "these Young Men's Christian Associations were the Church in action, and they became a great blessing to any community, and were of such a character tiiat every father and mother should take an interest in them. " The object of the Association was then dwelt upon, and in the course of his remarks Mr M'Ara said : " We hope to be able in some measure to meet a felt want in the community. We shall endeavour, each of Us, to use our influence with the young men in our midst. We shall try to get them interested in our Association, secure their attendance at our meetings, and do all we can, kindly, wisely, and affectionately, to supply the lack so many feel when away from home and among strangers. Our meetings fortnightly should be made as interesting as possible. This can only be done by each one discharging his own share of the work laid upon him. Our subjects will to a arge extent be Biblical, and therefore within the scope of all who have a copy of God's sacred Word, and surely in that record we shall have variety enough to make its study interesting. And at no time more than at the present, was there a greater necessity laid upon young men to study carefully and prayerfully God's inspired book. The age is one of great mental activity. The spirit of scepticism is very prevalent ; unhallowed hands are being laid upon the most sacred things, and men's hearts are trembling for the ark of God, But Aye have no fear for the result so long as we have the liberty to study God's Word, and become acquainted -with its life-giving, soul-satisfying, more ennobling truths. Surely such a volume bears the impress of divinity. It carries with it its own witness. Every hour of eA^ery clay it is gaining new trophies of its power. It is the oil on the troubled Avaters of human life. It is the chart of navigation to the haven of eternal glory. Says one, "Would you know ho ay to pass securely through life, and to inherit a blissful eternity 1 God's Word is a lamp to the feet, and light to the path. Cleave, I beseech you, in the days of peril and of conflict, cleave to the Bible. It is the only safe chart. Here there is truth without any mixture of error. Here there is guidance which cannot mislead. Study prayerfully and dilligently at this source, and you shall find truth to enrich you for all time, and gladden your hearts to all eternity. Drink in from this fountain and you shall find relief from anxious care, and fretting toil, and weary disappointments. " Then Aye hope to get up a course of popular lectures for the winter months, which will be open to all. These could not fail to be of great service, not only to young men, in establishing them in the faith, but are sure to be of interest to old and young, in affording an opportunity iioav and. again of listening to eloquent men discoursing . on subject's bearing on the physical, moral, and spiritual. Welfare of mankiiid. The Exeter Hall lectures, given , under the axiSpices of the London Young Men's Christian Association, have been of invaluable benefit, arid have laid the English nation, if not the whole world, under a debt qf gratitude. May We not do our part, in a small Wa^, in meeting a

felt want during the, long -winter evenings. We must not lose sight, moreover, tf the evangelistic department of our work. Under similar- auspices, series of meetings have been got up, and in this way the Association has conferred a great benefit on the community. We hope, thereforefore, ere long, to see steps taken to secure this end, and thus carry out fully the whole object of tlie Association, * ' to seek the spiritual, intellectual, and social improvement of all within its reach."

At the close of the address, there was a general conversation among members in reference to tho future work of the Association, and the meeting closed.

A meeting of the managing Committee was held immediately thereafter, when a programme of subjects foi' the next six meetings was drawn up. The Rev. Mr Carr will read the next paper on Tuesday first, at the usual hour — half-past eight o'clock.