YOUNG MEN’S WORK IN NEW ZEALAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3134, 6 March 1873, Page 3

YOUNG MEN’S WORK IN NEW ZEALAND.

The Rev. A, J. CampbcU delivered an interesting lecture last evening, at the First Church, on “ Young men’s work in this age and in this country.” There was a numerous audience, and the Hcv. Mr Blake occupied the chair. The reverend gentleman commenced by remarking that owing to other engagements he had not found time to prepare a lecture as fully as the occasion di served ; tho remarks ho had to make would therefore be somewhat desultory. Mis subject related to work or employment, but work was much the same always, and therefore it might be supposed that everyone understood the matter clearly. The changes of climate and of locality affected the question, as, for instance, the pursuits of the people in the Colonies differed in many respects from their occupations in the old country. The occupations of our forefathers differed from ours, as much as ours will differ from those of our children. It wa-, however, the fate of all to work of thy face thou shalt earn bread.” But to work successfully and profitably there were three Clings to do or to net, namely religion, an occupation, ond a home. Every man must have a religion, for it was part of his nature.” He may say “ I do not believe in C hrist,” but that would be his creed, or he may deny the teaching of the Bible, still in his denial there would ho a belief. The great point was to find the truth, and when loupd, stick to it, Truth was Christianity pure and simple. Besides it there was no re igion on the face of the earth with life in it. All the others wore dying out and passing away, while it flourished vigorously. It might be said that it was old, but, at the same time, it must be acknowledged that it had been proved and bund true. He bad read a pamphlet lately wr Iteu by Mr Whitworth, in which the writer described a journey ho had made in the mountain regions of the West Coast about Martin’s Bay. Mr Whitworth got off the track into dense bush, was caught' by the vine known as the “ bush lawyer,” and had his clothes materially damaged, his body punished, and his provisions destroyed. So much did Mr Whitworth suffer, that he declared ho would write in golden lett'rs for the benefit of all travellers in the .Nc.v Zealand bush, “■ Keep to the blazed track.” He in like manner would say to all young men keep to the blazed track, for it was known to lead not only to happiness in this life, but glory in that which is to come. But bow was the young man to find the track—simply by imbibing and cultivating a strong faith, and by practising that which is right and good. Sir Humphrey Davy once said, 1 ‘ I envy nothing in any so much as a firm religious belief.” This was what was first required, and the individual should be determined to possess it by study and every other available nie.V'S. He should then practise what he studies and believes, for faith without practice is not faith at all. He should also contend for the truth or faith, but not with bitterness. He should at the same time possess a broad expansive love furall men, hating none because of their creed or mode cf living. Tiie divisions of denominalionabsm or sectarianism should not influence him, unless he interpreted the former to mean love for IdsovMi church, and tho latter not hatred for other sects. The leetim r, however, was delighted to have to state that in later years the sectarian differences of the Church of Dbrist were rapidly passing away. In America tins was particularly so. In Victoria a similar wmk was going on, and he Jioj-cd it would continue. It was necessary to this end that wo should forget (he things behind us in the history of the (Jim relies aaid lypk only to the future. 'I here wag, however, one branch of the Church which be could not accept as Christian, namely, the Homan Catholic. Still there were many persons in communion with that Church who had the faith of Jesus in all its simplicity and beauty, and he loved them for it. Truth was the fundamental principal of life, and wbhoiit it success could not 1 e attained. The next branch of his subject was occupation. Of course tho occupation of each individual depended almost altogether on the nature of the talents be possessed. Every individual, however, must work, otherwise there would be no progress. Everything around us indicated this fact, and it was well that} it was so. Ho tfi,d \xv\ suppose that employment differed

much from the pursuits of persons in other Colonies. He saw around him on every side proofs of industrious habits of the people of Otago. He would, therefore, only say to the young men, learn some handicraft. ISo matter what else they were engaged in, they would deiivo, not only great pleasure, but benefit, from learning, and possessing some trade. Their tastes should guide them in the choice of Ihe trade ; hut whatever trade they chose they should stick to it, for by so doing they wnil Id earn for themselves perhaps fame, wealth, and the es'eem of their fellow-colonists. Those who shifted about from one kind of employment to another never got on, and their lives generally ended in disappointment. He would advise the young men to keep away from politics as a profession, for it was a sorry employment, excepting for those specially qualified. A politician should bo a man of considerable means, experience of the world, and education ; he should also have a stake in tiie country. They should avoid speculation such as sharebroking. He knew of several young men who, in their desire to gain wealth by this means, invested beyond their depth. Their speculations were not successful, and the result was that they were mined ; some of them in character as well as in purse. The goldfields were also to be avoided as a snare and a delusion, for where one succeeded many failed to improve their condition. The great point was to choose a mode of earning a livelihood, and pursue it honestly, truthfully, and honorably ; doing to others as they would be done by. But as it was only right that there should be rest or recreation as well as woik, it might be expected that lie should make a few remarks on that subject. He was glad to see that ITince Alb rt’s mode of dividing time, namely, eight hours’ work, eight rest or recreation, and eight hours’ sleep had, to some extent, been brought into use here. With regard to public amusements, he would say do not go to the theatre. The theatre might be made a means of education and pure entertainment, but it had not been that hitherto. It was a known fact that wherever a theatre was erected, prostitution and drunkenness soon surrounded it. He would not condemn the game of billiards, for it was not a game of chance, but a scientific game ; hut he was opposed to the billiard table being made an attraction at the public-house. At such places the game was degraded by the players pitying for drinks, and in this way the drinking habit was fostered, while the morals of the individual were corrupted There were many he’d sports-such as cricket, football, climbing up the hills, wandering into the bush in search of botanical or geological specimens; or aquatic pastures, such as boating, which in themselves were excellent, and worthy of practice. Such as these he would recommend, but at the same time they should not be abused by over indulgence in them. Attention should also be given to the study of instructive b mks of travels, history, poetry, and so on. Then, with all the?e pursuits, the young man should not overlook the duty of providing for himself a home and a wife. He would strongly advise him not to wander about, but settle down as rady as possible in life, and marry some pure-minded, good, industrious woman, for by so doing he would not only fulfil his duty as a colonist, but avoid many of the hardships «f life. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to the lecturer, and the proceedings were concluded with prayer.