Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9084, 8 May 1908, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL REPORT. The report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Masterton Y.M.C.A. on Monday week says inter alia: — , The third year of the Young Men's Christian Association has passed into history. We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for the many blessings of the last twelve months which have been the best period of advancement that we have yet experienced. Our mambers have shown greater interest, and our prospects were never brighter. MEMBERSHIP. The Association has continued to grow numerically, having reached 150 strong. We are sorry to say that owing to members not paying their subscriptions quite a number have been struck off ttie roll. However, during this last three months a change has been noticed, and we ars again obtaining the valuable services of some of our old member-. During the coming year we expect to considerably enlarge our membership. At the meeting to-night a proposal to lower the subscription will be discussed. BIBLE STUDY. Tli9 Saturday Night Bible Study Class, which meets at 7 o'clock, has proved oC considerable benefit to the members attending it under the capable leadership of Mr A. G. Crawford. A careful and systematic study has oeen made of Biblical topics. Though the attendance has occasionally been small the gatherings have been marked by spiritual helpfulness. This class i* not confined to Association members, but is open to all Christian workers. It is intended to take up a special course of Bible study recommended by the National committee. Mr Otto Ibbetson had capably filled the position of organist since the inception of the class. MEN'S MEETING. On Sunday afternoon a men's meeting was organised about three months ago. From the very commencement great interest -was displayed in it by the young men of the town. Thi3 meeting attracts an audience of over thirty youn; men every Sunday afternoon. Short evangelistic addresses have been delivered by several prominent citizens and by the local and visiting clergymen, to all of whom the thanks of the Association are due. The services of the Quartette Party and of Mess-s Claughlon and Inns, as organists, are greatly appreciated. The .Sunday meeting is becoming increasingly popular, and is an important branch of the Association's work. STRANGERS' TEA.

This is perhaps one. of the most attractive features of the Association's work. It is managed entirely by a committee of young men, who prepare the tea and do all in connection with it. The result is that from thirty to forty young men have tea every Sunday in the Association's Rooms. The movement commenced

in February last, and the total attendance so far is 420, an average of 30 every Sunday, of whom a great proportion were straugera. The tea also contributes largely to the membership . The energetic secretary, Mr N. C. Marshall, and his committee have rendered unselfish and uni sparing service to make the tea a : success. As soon as notification is received that a young man has newly arrived in Master ton he is posted an invitation to tea at the Association Rooms, Young men from almost every part of the British Empire and the United States have received the Association's hospitality, arnd many a touching tribute of thanks has been paid to the strangers'' tea. The expenses are borne by the members of the Association, and it is gratifying to report a small credit balance. LADIES' AUXILIARY. The second year of the ladus" auxiliary has placed the Association under added obligations for the very helpful services they have rendered. At the Village Fair they tool? control of the stalls, having worked arduously for six months preparing articles to put in them. Mis Alex. Donald, convenor, and Miss C. V. Joy, as secretary, worked specially hard to make the Fair a success. Had it not been for the auxiliary the Fair wouid not have been the success that it was. GLEE CLUE. The Glee Club met for its first practice on April Bth. This class promises to be one of the most successful branches of the education department i»f the Association. We have secured the services- of Mr H. S Claughton, and under his capable leadership some desirable talent should be developed out of the 14 young men who have joined th.* class. THE GENERAL SECRETARY. Ever since the inception of the local Association here it has been hampered in Ps work by not being able to afford the salary of a paid secretary, who would devote his whole time to the work of the Association. However, we hop? that before long.we will have a man with us. On the 15th of last April Messrs Gillanders and Holmes visited us to conduct a campaign to raise the salary of a man for three years. Before these gentlemen left us on the following day, the .-urn of £375 was guaranteed. The amount has been added to since then, and now stands at £4OO out of £750. We have to thank those called upon to subscribe for the very liberal way in which they responded. The general secretary that we will get will be able to lead and organise the different branches. VILLAGE FAIR. During the year a Village Fair was arranged with a view to obtaining funds to reduce the overdraft. The ladies' auxiliary took charge of the majority of the stalls, and worked very hard to make it the success it was. About £l6O net was realised. VISIT OF MESSRS GILLANDERS AND H. N. HOLMES. The year of 1907-08 will ever be remembered for thfi visit of Mr W. Gillanders, National Secretary, and Mr H. N. Holmes, General Secretary at Wellington. These two gentlemen came up with a view of obtaining a guarantee fund for a general secretary for Masterton. During their stay they were entertained at a banquet in the Rooms. They left an excellent impression. OTHER ASSOCIATION BRANCHES. The report also deals with the work of the Liteiary and Debating Club, the Employment Bureau conducted by the general secretary, the Ch-ss and Draughts Club, the 1 Quartette Party and Hockey Club, and makes reference to the need for extension of the religious wrk of the Association, and closes with an Optimistic forecast of the coming year's work.