THE MODEL YOUNG MAN.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 155, 22 July 1892, Page 2

THE MODEL YOUNG MAN.

LECTURE BY THE REV. JOHN WALTER. The Rev. J. Walter, Wesleyan supernumeraryminister, now on a visit to this district, preached in the Paparoa Chapel on Sunday last, July 10th, morning and evening. The boisterous weather militated considerably against the success of the service. The following day the Rev. Mr Walter delivered his popular address, “ The Model Foung Man.” There was a fair attendance, although the watery element had prevailed during the earlier part of the day- making the roads unpleasant for travelling. The Rev. J. J. Mather, circuit minister, presided. The lecturer, who for a. man of his years, possesses a considerable sense of humour which is rather remarkable, addressing himself more particularly to the young men present said, that they had this evening four or five points to consider, which he would put as follows. Whence came you ? What are you ? Why do you exist ? How can you become a model young man ? Some said that man is a creature of chance. After producing arguments to deny such an assertion, the speaker proceeded to adduce statements to explode the Darwinian theory of evolution, and went on to say that man had aspirations after eternal things, which would be unlikely or impossible were he descended from a brute beast. But, if we had no hopes beyond the present, it were even better to he a brute beast. Young men have a grand and magnificent future before them if they only like to attain to it. The Rev. gentleman contended that religious and educational institutions had failed to make man a model man. The nations which had reached the highest state of mental culture had fallen to the deepest moral depravity. Only God who made can re-make him ; we must therefore ask God to renew our hearts and create us anew. The lecturer pointed the young men to Christ as their model, and exhorted them to keep a pure conscience and lead an upright life. He drew attention to the necessity of living in constant communion with God, and instanced the scripture example of Daniel, who continued thrice daily in pray er to his Maker, gaining thereby some assistance, and protection in the 1 lion’s den.’ (Mr Walter here rendered an anecdote illustrative of a pure conscience.) He said that ‘ God would be our shield ’if we live upright lives, hut in order to do this we must continue in constant prayer and supplication to Him. The lecturer exhorted young men to consider what calling or station in life the Creator intended them for, and to pursue theirjnatural genius in order to ascertain in what position they could best serve their day and generation. He did not, however, wish his young- friends to follow the example of some young men and be in too big a hurry to leave their homes and parents at the first opportunity and rush away to the city or elsewhere. He nevertheless advised them not to he discouraged in consequence of humble surroundings, and quoted instances of men who had risen from low stations in life and disting-uished themselves in the world. The speaker went on to point out the necessity of prompt, willing and absolute obedience to the will of God. Young men, to be models, should also be constant in this obedience, also self sustaining and self reliant, working their way up in life. The Rev. gentleman warned them against being dependent for support in life, and waiting to step into the shoes of some rich old uncle or aunt upon the latter’s demise. A humorous anecdote illustrating the futility of this was quoted. Some in this country, however, were too independent and anxious, like the class before mentioned, to be off and earning their own living, before they had repaid the care bestowed upon them by their parents. Mr Walter concluded with a bit of wholesome advice to the young ladies’ present,and recommended to them that when a young man possessing the desirable qualities he had mentioned, put in an appearance and “ popped the question” to give a reply in the affirmative, even though the person in question did not hear many outward marks of gentility or seem blessedwith an abundance of this world’s goods. The lecturer resumed his seat amidst applause: At the close Mrs O. C. Hames rendered a solo in her usual pleasant style, after which Mr W. Hook played a selection on the violin, both musical items gaining well merited applause. Mr J. H. Trounson in a brief speech, proposed a vot e of thanks to the lecturer which was seconded by Mr H. Hook and carried by acclamation. The proceedings concluded with the Benediction. The Rev. Mr Walter is announced to deliver his second lecture entitled “The Model Maid” here this (Monday) evening, but the weather at present is by no means promising and probably will prevent the meeting from being held, —fOwq Coi respondent.