THE Y.M.C.A.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2469, 6 April 1909, Page 3

THE Y.M.C.A.

CITIZENS’ RECEPTION. OPENING OF THE NEW ROOMS. The successful work of the Y.M'.C.A. forward movement reached its climax last evening, when the Board of Directors entertained about 200 ladies and gentlemen at a citizens’ reception. Mr F. S. Malcolm occupied the chair, and had on his right the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) and on his loft Mr. J. R. Kii'k. The rooms aro beautifully finished and decorated;, and have been furnished most lavishly and comfortably. The full-sized billiard table has been placed in position. There is a dark room,' a reading room, and a handy office for the general secretary, while the furnishings in the large hall include innumerable easy chairs, lounges, settees, small a piano, and an organ, while upon the walls are hung some artistic photographs and engravings, including a fine likeness of General Booth. The new'rooms * are open to members from to-day. Mr. W. Miller wrote stating that he regretted that urgent business in Sydney called him away from Gisborne, and he could not be present, and asked the Y.M.C.A. to accept a copy in marble of the Venus de Milo -as a gift to the institution. Mr. W.. F. Crawford also sent an apology. j When Mr. Miller’s letter was read it was received with applause. The Chairman said the Directors had for the last few days been filled with gratitude for the kindness of the citizens. The Ladies’ Auxiliary had done excellent work in decorating the rooms, and lie wished, on behalf of tntUDirectors of. the Association, to thank all who had given cheques, subscriptions, and furniture to the institution. The movement had been most succesful, and the membership now totalled over 320. The Mayor had come to formally open the rooms, and he asked His Worship to do so. The Mayor said that first of all ho had been asked to apologise for the absence of Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., who was unable te be present. He (Mr. Lysnar) wished to congratulate the members of the Gisborne Y.M.C.A. on the fine [gathering that was present; ■for the number of citizens who had Supported the institution ensured success, especially when the movement was backed up by the ladies. The Y.M.C.A. was opened in Gisborne some six years ago, and had been kept warm by a small baud' of enthusiastic young men, until last year a forward movement was initiated to combine the social with the religious side of the work. The new movement was a broadening out of all that was good, and would mould the characters of young and growing men. He was pleased to see a Young Men’s Christian Association in Gisborne; for such splendid rooms would enable young men to meet among their own comrades and to learn from and to influence one another for good, and so to avoid ’ the temptation of patronising hotels and encountering evils that fell in their way. The forward movement was practically started by the visit of Sir. Holmes, general secretary for the "Wellington Y.M.C.A., and a financial campaign was commenced and the splendid rooms and furnishings were the result. A Board of Directors and general secretary had been appointed, and Mr. Webster had proved himself .a very valuable officer. Then followed a membership competition, and the result was that 313 new .members were enrolled within a month. To the members of the Association lie would say : ' Appreciate the movement and act loyally to the institution, rtf they did that, good would come. Ho understood various recreations were to be provided, including opportunities for mental and physical development. With such recreations he was in perfect accord, and in declaring the rooms open wished the Gisborne Association every prosperity. 9 (Applause.) Tlie Rev. W. Grant then offered up prayer'. „ Mr. ‘J. R. Kirk, a member of the Board of Directors, said ho was pleased to accede to a request to give, an out- . lino of tlio work of tlio I.M.C.A. in the past and the intentions for the future, the first Y.M.C.A. movement was started in 1844, in a most unique way. Those present copld imagine a young lad coming out of a country home, going into a ■ large city, having no friends, and looking about for amusement, with no organisation in existence of an upiffiig nature; but, on the other hand, every influence to damn the soul and e body. Such a man was George Williams, the- founder of the Y.M.C.A., a draper’s assistant, who saw the need for such an organisation, and formed an association for prayer in an upper room in a building in London. At the same time a great movement was going on. Charles Kingsley was writing and planning, with all his impetuous nature, a hundred and one schemes for the improvement of the material and moral condition of the working classes. Carlyle was issuing' “Past and Present,” and forcing men to think deep thoughts. Ruskin was at work upon “Modern Painters”’ and Tennyson and Dickens in their several ways v'ere struggling to lighten the darkness. The Earl oi Shaftesbury was waging his war against industrial tyranny and oppression, and all sides were calling young men to come out from the world of cant and lies into the world.of truth. It was the day of the young man, and in the midst of such movements the Y.M.C.A. was started by George Williams. He looked for "public support, and five publicspirited men sent cheques for £SOOO. From that beginning the movementhad spread, and only recently Exeter • Hall had been acquired and had been opened by the Lord Mayor of London. George Williams was a man of marked distinction. He had been knighted, and his body was laid beside that of the great Nelson in Westminster Abbey. Surely , all would feel proud to belong to an institution founded by such a man. In America there were 2000 separate Associations, half-a-million members, and Y.M.C.A. buildings valued at -!.2,090,000; in "Europe 5700 Associations, one-third of a million members, and buildings valued at £2,000.000; while in Asia, Africa, Great Britain, and Australia all had thriving Associations, with large memberships-and valuable properties. Although the Y.M.C.A. was a world-wide movement, each . As- • sociati.oii stood on its.own responsibility, and did not receive assistance' froiii outside; for when other Associations got into funds the work was extended, and he hoped soon to see the Gisborne -Association adding to its assets. The directors were under a debt- of gratitude to the few young men, who, like;: George .Williams,'had stuck to the work in Gisborne, and while . in ' the new Jnoveni etit the ■ religious work would net -he sKflg ’gl; Jy

tered, at the same timo the work would be broadened and healthy recreations such as billiards and gymnasia provided, ancl facilities given whereby young men could meet their companions, and be elevated spiritually, -socially, and physically. The Association was going to look after the welfare -of young men, and provide healthful recreation, and give country visitors somewhere to go to when they arrived in town.' It. was for all to see that the Association was kept going, and he hoped all would foster it and give it their heartfelt sympathy and support. (Applause.) Mr. Harry Adair -said that when it was decided to push forward the work of the Y.M.C.A. in Gisborne tho members were willing tp- be guided by the experience of other towns. It was admitted everywhere that tlie Young Men’s Christian Associations were doing good work, and the Gisborne Association was under a debt to the townspeople for the result of the Y.M.C.A.’ movement initiated a few months ago. Everyone that . could help had done so, readily. The Y.M.C.A. was not a mission, a church, or a charity, but a work to help young men to help themselves, and it was intended Mo cater for the particular inclinations of all the members, especially in tho way of athletics, and ; while the. spiritual side of life would be looked upon as important, they would try and show men that it was possible to be a Christian and an athlete at the same time. The directors had been able to open the rooms at an early dato through the kindness of the contractor, Mr. W. Webb, and he wished to tender the contractor the directors’: appreciation. Daring the-evening the Gisborne Club orchestra, contributed somo excellent. jnusiCj specially enjoyable being a fantasia on American airs and a selection from “The Orchid.” Songs were sung hy Messrs Kissling, Hooten, and Brownlee. Refreshments were served, and a flashlight photograph of the gathering was taken by Mr. T. Thomas. Mr. C. Rosie proposed a vote o* thanks to the Mayor for opening -the rooms, to the ladies who had assisted in the decorating, and all who had helped towards the musical programme. The motion was carried with applause. The General Secretary (Mr. C. R. Webster) briefly replied on behalf of the ladies. ’ . , . Tho Mayor then proposed a vote ot thanks to Mr. F. S. Malcolm, and spoke of his work in the interests of the Association, and the.evening was brought to a close.