A CHOICE YOUNG MAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 916, 15 June 1903, Page 3

A CHOICE YOUNG MAN.

” A Choice Young Man ” was the subject of an excellent lecture delivered by the Rev. Grey Dixon at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church last; evening, there being a crowded congregation, the fair sex preponderating. The preacher stated that the words of his text were to he found in the First Book of Samuel,

aim were used to describe King Saul —a typical Old Testament representative man. The individuality of Saul attracted and dispelled, combining the utmost loyalty with de-

plorable acts of disobedience. He was one who raised great hopes, like a brilliant morning, but who disappointed those hopes, as a fair morning was often followed by a stormy afternoon and dismal evening. By the term “ a choice young man,” he

(iid not mean an exceptional young man ; that was not really the meaning of the word “choice.” It meant specimen or typical ; anything that was harmoniously developed to the class to which it belonged. A choice young man was a specimen young man, one in whom the characteristics of manhood were proportionately and legitimately shown. The first mark about a choice young man was abundant vitality, a sense of life’s fullness and suiliciency. He should he pure, with a contempt for luxuries. Continuing, the rev. gentleman showed that the second

mark of a choice young man should lie his instinctive sense of God. The most religious being that God had made was a young man. It was a matter of complaint in New Zealand that the young men did not go to

church, and that the large majority of church people were women. This might refer to one country, but it did not refer to all. There were many countries where there were a huger number of men than women in tiie church. In Greece the young men filled the. churches, and in Japan ali the intellectual young men were found there also. Young men were tlie bulwarks of orthodoxy, and in pi oof of this they had the illustrations furnished in the lives of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and many others. It was always the young

man who had felt most of God’s power, and who had seen most of God’s glory, and contended most for God’s truth. There was 'always something wrong with a community when the young men did not stand one for God. Simple and strict integrity was another virtue that a young man should possess. A choice young man would not take money that he had not earned. Gambling was the chief vice that, was keeping the young men from God, and robbing them of all fine feelings. A healthy sentiment was the concluding virtue enforced by the preacher. A young man should not shrink from expressing a lofty sentiment for fear of being laughed at. In conclusion, Mr Dixon made a strong appeal to the young men to follow the example of the Young Man who had given Ilis life for the salvation of the world. By so doing they would obtain joy and happiness, which were the resultant of the elements combined in the choice young man. The singing of tlie choir was much appropriated, and the service throughout was most impressive^