YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION SOIREE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 317, 25 December 1862, Page 4

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION SOIREE.

Last night the annual soiree of the Dunerfh Young Mei's Christian Association was held in Hie Oddfellow's Hall, and was attended by a kr*e assembly of ladies .and gentlemen. -The h°U itself, and the entrance to it, were beautifully decorated wi&h flags, shrtxb*, plants, and flowersartificial and natural. The temporary platform' seemed a perfect summer bower with the initial letters of the Association, aud their motio "Excelsior!'" displayed behind the chairmiu's seat. Altogether, the place had a charmingly festive appearance. ° About Half-past six tea and its accompanimen's oegan to be served out by a bevy of fair damsel* and a band, of masculine attendants continued nanding the edibles to the company up till hu!fpist seven. Thanks were then given, and the temporary "bar"—-if the word may be usedremoved. Thomas Dick, Esq., Provincial Secretary, President of the Association, then took the chair! He said his task that evening would be a very easy one, presiding at a meeting which he felt assured would ba s> conducted that no president was required. But in order to carry out the usual arrangements it was customary for Rome one to take the chair, and as President of the Association he was in duty bound as well as highly honored in doing so. (Cheers.) The Young Mens' Christian Association after a year of hard labor, and listening to lectures, endeavoring no doubt to get the best of an argument where there was a worse side to be defended, aud possibly occasionally falling to splitting a straw, just to show it was desirable—had at List after these efforts, come to the conclusion at the close of the year—at the beginning of the holidays, to have a holiday too. These debates'' discussions, earnest head-work, and deep heartwork, and searching after truth called for relaxation occasionally ; and what more safe, delightful relaxation thangatlieringinfrieiidlyintercourse to have such a meeting as the Young Men's Christian Association Soiree? (Cheers.) They had not been selfish either in the meeting. They might have said wd will meet and fight our batt?e3 over again ; but, uo, they asked friends, sisters, wives, and some that may be so by-and-bye— (laughter), edask them all to come; and thus so far as things had gone yet, they had made a fair start. So fur, too, as the tea was concerned, they would all agree that <it was most excellently provide!. in a most satisfactorily liberal manner. No doubt the young men could not have done all that, and they left that important branch, to those who would do the work much better, displaying in this a great deal of judgment, Now, these young men> full of vigor and life, ready for the strife, of reason,,were there to eujoy the recreation of the evening ; and he trusted that, in what they had prepared, it would be found that they had enjoyed " the feast of reason and the flow of soul," an<i withal an abundant supply of music. Though a member of the Young Men's Association, Tie began to spsak like an aged man and a father ; he knew the grey hairs were appearing here arid there, therefore he felt a sortof paternal interest hi the Association, and to look on the factwiih delight that there was such an Association.' When'they; knew there were young men in such a society, training themselves by their own indtyidualexertipns, to become pillars of the Church and supporters of the State ; when they saw them laboring together to draw out the intelligcpce, capacity, and debating powers of one another. When they saw these young men engaged in that which would make them useful in the Church nud the World, in the commercial intercourse of men— the: halls of the Legislature—in carrying forward the great interests of that Grbd whom they all .ser.Fed, it. could nofc fail to be matter for rejoicing that so many would stand forward for allcbatwas right, and true, -and good. (Cheers.) When they saw young men banded together in such a cause; "relaxing for a night, and coming to enjoy witK their friends the poetry, music, and a tew short speeches, they would heartily enter into the spirit, and wish them joy sand all success. He said " short speeches,'* as none were to exceed fifteen minutes in delivery, so he would novy say no more. ' Mr Dick resumed his seat amid great applause. ' • i , Mr Barr, Secretary of the Association, read the annual report, which detailed the progress of the Society and the business" done during the year. Besides the usuaP fortnightly meetiug there had been ten p'ublic flecture> delivered, 'but tho Committee -regretted to t state-that the attendance r,'us not such as to encourage them or lecturers perse"vermg witbj another t courae,, Tho^report; stated that, it waf the inteaiion of! the .jtafbfeiation to erect ti building containing a lectur&hall, ".class rooms, library, >&c f ,^ ; furtherance*-of which "A. Wi>Morriß/>Esg v .i"tod / placed a piece of gapuud f opj»Bßite*lhemew*•.Episcopalian: Church jft thefr, disposalon Utjeral^teruw. The report concluded "With nn^Tnesfrappe^l to aUlwfto approved of the ' - Association's principle* to1 join it; report' showed V balance- of* LW M4d -to, the " credit of the Awoewtlon. b^\W/: >*

The Itev. Mr Harding spoka inig^meraUeaoa on the value of such Associations. Mr JagogaVe a humorous address, in the course of which ho referred to a rumored lack of gallantry on the part of the members ■in toot taking the ladies to their meetings.1 He was inclined 'to attribute the paucity of attendance at the lectures partly to this cause. Mr Waifce spoke on " The Advantage of Colonial Life for Mental Culture." Mr 3?orsy th delivered an excellent address on Music. He dwelt chiefly on what music really was, and considering that music ranks high as an educational means, he strongly recommended the Dunedin Musical. Association to support. He referred to the great improvement that had taken place in Church Psalmody, and was glad to see it still progressing, and hoped before long to see it what it should be. Between each of the addresses one or two concerted pieces were sung by a very good choir, j ■under the leadership of Mr Waite. Several pieces were particularly well done, and the whole gave great satisfaction to the audience. Two aolos on the Harmonium agreeably varied the programme. Before closing, the Chairman asked a vote of thanks to the ladies who presided at the tea table, the choir, the committee, and the two gentlemen who had so tasteiully decorated tfie hall, which was duly given with hearty good will. A vote of thanks was then awarded to the Chairman, and the benediction having been pronounced, the company departed while the "HalIcluyah Chorus" was played on the Harmonium.