Y.M.C.A

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1640, 6 January 1913, Page 6

Y.M.C.A

* -o—-—■ • , NATIONAL CONVENTION, r ; • The first National Convention of the Young Men's Christian- Associations" ,of New Zealand commenced : at Sumner (Christchureh) on Friday, aad is to continue until January G. ■ There are in attendance fifty ' delegates ;; representing Boards of Directors. Tho (Jonvontion is being presided over by Mrj B. B, Peacock, of Melbourne, National Chairman for. Australia and Now Zealand. '}, In the course of his opening iiddress Mr. Peacock said that he hoped the Convention would mark an epoch in Christian work in this country, and d stage in tho evolution of the Y.M.C.A., which was ■ being used for tho extension of Christ's Kingdom in other, lands. "In the highest and broadest sense of the word," said Mr. E. E. Peacock, "the work of the Y.M.C.A. is educational, not simply making men Christians, but making Christian men. Just as the work of a university or oollege. is not eimply •to impart book learning, but by influence and environment to make character, so is the work of tho Y.M.C.A. to draw out and develop tho latent possibilities, to make the most efficient man, tho Christian man; proportionately developed physically, mentally, socially, and tpiritiially. - ' Society is not fair to its yonng men to oompel them to go to 6chool until they are, say, 14, and! then lot them have their'-real character moulded and developed by the strongest attractions which can fill up their spare time. We say *he must not do this or that,' but we do not give him tho opportunity for the positive, the constructive. . If we can make our building more attractive than other Daunts, and fill them with life, expressing itself in wntagoous zenl and. enthusiasm wisely: directed along the lines of successful experience by skilled men trained in the science of practical Christian man building, wo 1 can mould the life of tho nation.. "A-'glanco backward will show how . our various branches havo come into existence, first by a few earnest Christian men gathering together and desiring in the spirit of tho Master to express themselves in'some form of seryico to their fellow men. There was only tho slightest connection between the different branches. Tliey succeeded or failed without help or sympathy from others. , And. while at times und in certain eases they developed intonse earnestness, zeal, and activity within" narrow limits, thoy lacked the benefit of the larger organisation to assist, them over poriods of difficulty or crisis. "Then came what may be termed the 'campaign' period, when association men from: Canada arid the . United States of America, by invitation, canto to New Zealand and gave us some idea of. tho developments of tho 'movement', in those countries. It was on their representations that the publio of the Dominion so magnificently contributed funds for the erection of tho palatini buildings in different centres.' This committed and placed a great responsibility, on the leaders of. tho association movement in' New Zealand to realise tho promises made, as well as keep faith with contributors! The'campaip period crentod tho problem,; of the.big building with its,need of highly-special-ised administration, its burden of financal anxiety, and the danger of . a relfcentrcd importance obscuring tho wider vision and spirit of tho movement, . It also emphasised our mutual interdependence, and our collective responsibility for tho corporate honour of tho name of tho Young Jijen's Christian Association."