Y.M.C..A.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 310, 24 September 1908, Page 8

Y.M.C..A.

ANNIVERSARY CATHERINC. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The sixth anniversary of tho Wellington Y.M.C.A. was celebrated with a joyful': enthusiasm' in tho Town Hall last evening. A loaf of bread and a daffodil are all that man requires in this lifo, said an old Greek, and in tho Town Hall there was much brca.d and many daffodils. There wore also sunflowers, roses,' and many other flowers, decking- tables laden with better tilings than broad. Tho first form of celebration was a feast, to which sat down close upon two thousand smiling people, not all at once, but in three relays. To prove their semblanco wj "giants refreshed," the athletic members of the gymnasium then gavo an exhibition of their thews and nimbloness, guided by tho physical director, Mr. J.. fl. Greenwood. Tho display was heartily applauded by a crowded audience.

At the public meeting which followed Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, M.P., president of tho association, occupied tho chair. . He stated that lie would not raako a speech, sinco Mr. A. Jolly ha.d come all the way from Tapanui to give an-address. Tho association wore exceedingly indebted to Mrs. J. P. Luke (president of tho Ladies'. Auxiliary), tho members of the auxiliary, and other friends who had assisted them to carry out their anniversary function so successfully. Sir. H. N. Holmes (general secretary), who was received with' chcers, said they were proud to bo able to celebrate their sixth anniversary while in possession of. their new building, and glad to nave upon the platform the lady who had made that possible (Mrs. Williams). During the last three years£lso,ooo had been given in Australia and New Zealand for the erection of modem Y.M.C.A. buildings. Within tho past three months new buildings had beeii opened in Brisbane, Sydney, and Hobart, others were to bo opened very soon in Ballarat.and Bendigov and the foundation-stone of a new building had been'laid iii Christchurch. When the four New Zealand cities were equipped with ■ up-to-date buildings, tho associations would turn their attention to, tho smaller towns. Mr. Holmes stated that* every boy over twelve years of age and every,young man' over eighteen in Wellington, irrespective of Church or creed, were eligible to join tho association, the only stipulation-being that they were of good character. The'horizon ofthe association was bright with' promise. (Applause.)' ' Mr. J. C. Port, hon. treasurer, stated that tho association had been four months in the new' building, and expenses of management had amounted to between £300 and . £400 .a month. ' Sufficient money had been collected J to meet this charge, but' there was a debt of' £150 remaining from the ,days of the old building, which it was hoped to-clear off before the end of this month, and a collection would bo made towards this object. Between £13,000 and £14,000 had been promised in subscriptions to, the building fund. ■ Tho amount of the contract was £18,000, and £3250 was still wanting beforo the contractor. 1 could be paid in" full. Tho association Would be glad if thoso who had not done so yet would redeem their promises. A friend in" the country had offered a substantial sum towards the association's general-fund, but;suggested that the people of Wellington shbuld 1 also help themselves. Mr. A. Jolly gave an address on "The Gall of the Dominion to Its Young Men." -'After' referring to the natural advantages 'and' political privileges of New Zealand, and the fortunate position of its people' as inheritors of a noble past, he declared that opportunity and privilege postulated responsibility. ; A nation was invinciblo so long as it remained truo to its God-given trust, and so soon it was false to that trust, shame, degeneration, and decay overtook it. Tho history of Now Zealand for the next 300- years would depend on tlid character of its men and 'women-for the next 30 years.. The future of a nation rested on the purity, the piety, and tho intelligence "of its people'; on tho comploto manhood of the country. The association stood for the complete manhood of- body, mind, and spirit. The Dominion called first to its,' young men for healthy bodies. It was tho dark ago of Christianitywhen saintliness,; and sickliness-were thought to go .together. .It was the ago of "devotion and- -.dirt, and the former led to superstition and the .latter to disease. . He preferred Harold .Begbie's "Lord of tho pure' and. the r stroug" to tho somewhat monastic conception of "tho pale Galilean." He urged the benefit of. athletics and games, which meant moral discipline, as well, as physical culture. The ,Dominion also called ■to its; young -men for enlightened minds; Young men should study the political problems and questions; of the day. The-country needed men who-would "think right through to the very end" the . application, of the Christian faith to the social evils of the day. ..Lastly, the Dominion called on its young ■ men for consecrated souls. Heineed make no apology for making reljgion the capstone of ..-human character. The association stood for young men helping their fellows, which was the' great law of the higher life. The other great law was "Love tlio Lord thy God with all thy heart." Tho. speaker concluded witj> a fervent appeal 'to young men to, lead a noble life. '

Several congratulatory messages were read by' Mr. H. S. Hart. Mr. Norman Oollio played Mime organ selections, and Mr.. Leo B.* Buckeridgo' sang. " '"■ . ;