Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9611, 4 October 1909, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

CLOSING OF THE MhIMBESSHIP CAMPAIGN.

Yesterday afternoon the Rev. C. E. Porter spoke at the men's meeting of the Y.M.C.A. on "Lot, a Character Sketch." It was wonderful, the speaker said,' the inspiration that could be derived from a sketch of Bible characters, and the Bible was full of ready examples. Whilst some of the characters were and people were ready to condemn them, were we fair in thus abandoning ourselves to wholesale criticism. Surely there was an unwritten chapter in each of their lives, Judas and Lot for example. Lot had at least a good beginning, apd we think of his bad and not his good choice. The power, significance, and the exercise of choice gave the speaker an excellent opportunity of showing the power of right choice in his own case as a Minister. The wrong in Lot's choice was the ignoring of the Spiritural—it waa on a level with the choice of Esau. A strong plea for instant choice closed a powerful address. At the strangers' tea several strangers spoke, and the General Secretary announced the closing of the membership campaign. This had been responsible for adding 85 new members to the roll, the Blue team having won with a fair margin. It was stated that the scheme was not the success it shDuld have Deen, because of the fact that fifty of the number had not paid their subscriptions, and at the present time the Association is in the position of having its members owing to its funds on | the current year over £SO. This deplorable state of things was commented on by Mr Snowball, who spoke of the difficulty of the work when the members themselves were negligent. He felt that the money had only to be asked for, but a secretaiy should not be expected to spend his time gathering it,/ when by a. little forethought the member could pay it for himself. At the close of the tea, the members passed a heary vote of thanks for the excellent tea provided by the ladies of S. Matthew's Church. The Secretary reminded the members that in respect of tea they were well served, for on making inquiries at the Secretaries' Conference in Wellington; last month, and from parsonal knowledge of other Y.M.C.A. strangers' teas, Masterton was easily first. The Association could wish that more strangers to the town and the Y.M.C.A. would accept the invitation so freely issued to all men. A large party of ladies and men went to conduct the service at Solway House, where a "full house" awaited them. A large congregation of nearly 40 took part in the musi cal service. Mr Snowbali was the leader, and speaker, and he, with Mr Chas. Ibbetson, contributed some solos from the new Alexander hymn book. These services are held every ether Sunday evening, at 7. oclock, and the residents in that district and friends generally are made heartily welcome by the Solway people.