YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5348, 18 May 1878, Page 2

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN' ASSOCIATION.

The Wellington Young Men's Christian Association held a socials tea . meeting at their rooms in . the Athenscum Hall last night, having for its object the inauguration of a series of weekly services. About 160 persons, including a large number of ladies, attended the meeting. The tea was provided by the association, and assisted by lady friends. After the tea was over and the room cleared, addresses were delivered, in which the follov.’ing gentlemen took:—Professor Kirk.(president : of the association), Rev.-Archdeacon Sttck, Rev. Ogg, and Messrs. J., Woodward, J. G. Holdaworth, T. Kitchen, and E. Lena. The PEESID3HI in his address stated that the association was formed oh 15th March, 1877, when 59 young men gave in their names as members. , The - first difficulty they had to contend with was a suitable house to hold their meetings in. With regard to this matter, he thanked the Minister of Public Works, who very kindly-gave his rooms in the old Provincial Buildings. The rooms, however, did not suit their purpose, as 1 it was not convenient to gain access to them on Sundays. They therefore took the offer of the Athemeum committee for the use of the present rooms. The rooms, three! in number, consist of a lecture - room, ' reading - room, and debatingrootn. These the association have made a commencement in furnishing. It has been arranged to lay on the table of the readingroom all the leading; periodicals. These are sent every month from England. As regards the library itself, he was sorry to say that they have not as yet been able to do a great deal. There is, however;'; a book-case which, of course, will be filled by degrees. The speaker then mentioned that Mr. H. C. Wilson had just presented them with 32 volumes of very useful and instructive works. -He thought the rooms should be with other things besides books, ; such, for instance, as globes (both terrestrial aud celestial), a microscops, &c. He believed that every young man should have a thorough knowledge of the laud lie lived in. : The board of management have been very fortunate in securing a gentleman who will be competent to teach the German and other languages. He appealed to those present to join, the association, and stated that the secretary would be willing to . take names at the close of the meeting. He considered physical geography should form an important feature in every institution, similar to the,present, and he hoped before long that a course of lectures on many useful aud scientific subjects would be inaugurated. As regards the Sunday meetings, he might mention that in the morning their average attendance was 39. These meetings took place between a quarter to ton o’clock and half-past ten. - The afternoon attendance was not so large, the average being only 20. Arrangements have been made to hold services on Sundays for the benefit of sailors. These services will be held on board ships, when the Bethel flag will be hoisted. He drew attention to the feet that the town of Wellington contained In proportion to tile population more young men than any town in the colony, and he hoped by next year that the numbers of the association would be trebled.

Archdeacon Stock said that he was unable to take any part in tho formation of the association simply because his time was taken up with other matters. His whole heart was, however, in the movement. Ho was glad to bear that those who attended the association did hot come for the simple object of learning religion. He hoped the association would be a success. The remainder of the speakers also conga, tulated the association on the'progress they bad made. . The evangelistic choir sang very effectively several chants and hymns. The meeting was very largely attended, and a most pleasant evening was passed. _ -