OPTIMIST CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1939, Page 6

OPTIMIST CLUB

"■ — WEEKLY MEETING. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. An increase in attendance was noted at the Optimist Club's weekly meeting at the Y.M.C.A. last night. After tea had been dispensed Chief Smiler A. Handyside called upon the Sherrif G. C. Gaze to collect what fines he could. This session proved very amusing and the ‘'cat” received'quite a fill-up. Optimist C. Greagor led the meeting in a short community sing, and Mr D. McKee Wright gave a very interesting address dealing with the historical progress of the Y.M.C.A., beginning with the founding of the Y.M.C.A. in London in 1844 and describing the progress through the years. Mr McKee Wright said that the whole of the Y.M.C.A. was based upon the “Paris Basis,” which was inaugurated at the Paris convention in 1855 and reads as follows:— “The Young Men’s Christian Association seeks to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their doctrine and in their life and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom among young men.” There was a three-fold aim—(l) To tram Christian young men in right thinking and right living—“ His disciples in their doctrine and in their life.” (2) To secure and help non-Christian young men. (3) To enlist and train men in active Christian service. Mr Wright then went on to give details of work that members of the Optimist Club can do to help the Y.M.C.A. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Wright and the meeting closed after arrangements had been made for next week’s speaker.