Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-02-03
Y. M. G. A. General Business and an
Essay from Judge Judd

Bethel church ON the 18th inst Mr. Amasa Pratt,
the President OF the organization, in the chair.
The attendance was larger than usual and incud-
cd number of visitors. After prayer by the Rev.
s. G. Damon, the minutes of last meeting were rea d
and approved. Reports of various committees we're
received aud acted ON. Two applicants for mem
borship, Peter Hansen and A. Bolster, were ballot
ed for and duly elected. Hon. \. f. Judd then
read the following essay ON 1.-The Aims and
Objects Of the Y. NJ. c.. A.
The President and Members Of Ge Young MeM's
Christian Assoc'afioH Of Honolulu.
BRErHREN IL have been asked to prepare a
short essay the object and aims of this Associa-
ton, or rather What Is our legitimate work IN
this community y
distinctive popularity of this institution ia
that II Is HHdeROmiHdti0Hai. Our constitution re-
quires requisite for active membership that
the applicant be member of some evangelical
church. Happily in these islands hear but
little sectarian or UNCONVENTIONAL Instructions,
but in other countries when the church of Christ
has not the apparent unity see here, this feat
IRE of Y. NJ. @. AS. contributes largely to its
success. | hope that the time IL near when we
may have the active cooperation with of all
evangelical Christians in Honolulu and especially
that more OF our Brethren of the Anglican Church
will Join our ranks.
Another marked feature of this institution
everywhere is that its work is done by ingmeH. 1t
is not antagonistc to the church, and it should he
Its greatest supporter and as its ultimate object
Is the bringing OF young men to a saving knowl-
edge of Christ Jesus this institution, If success
full. must be feeder To the church. and il has
been we'll called IFS Training School" If we
detected any tendency among its members towards
exalting this Association to position higher than
the Church of Christ any spirit other than that
of the truest loyalty to that best of ALL because
diyinely ordained) institution should say let
il dissolve Immediately. But find as human
society is constituted that all who within
reach of the gospel, not hearers of the void"
The church stands open here as in all lands, but
the majority do not enter its doors. In order then
to increase the aggressive power of the church
these associations have been formed and their
history for the past twenty years abundantiy
proves their value in this respect Our work,
therefore, in Honolulu should be that of drawing
unconverted men to Christ and His Church and
incidentally and as a result of Christian activity
the development of a spiritual life among our own
members. But this result Is not to be reached at
once. The young man ordinarily must be at
tracted, influenced and persuaded before he is
converted His feet must be drawn willingly TO
the House of God and until he is ready to 90 the
first work is to give his mind, his social Instincts
and his tastes, something ntrinsicaily attractive,
which will feed his better nature and draw him
away from sin and them the ground of his heart
made fallow and the seed being planted, faith in
the efficacy of the Holy Spirit makes us believe
that then his heart may be changed.
To particularze, there must be social methods
and agencies employed to draw young men from
scenes of dissipation and evil. As place, where
these may be provided our building is being erected.
Here must be reading room, made pleasant and
accessible also where the best newspapers can be
found, aud letters written. We hope our paror
will prove To be an attractive place for young men
10 meet for conversation and friendly intercourse
With well equipped Gymnasium, and occasional
lectures, readings, concerts and other entertain
ments in the Hall above, hope is that the inno-
cent recreation there provided may draw young
men TO this spot. Here too prayer meetings may
be held and Bible classes meet, and religious SER
vices be conducted to which some may be willing
to go who do not go to church services. But this
work 10 be DONE raising the walls of our building
Is a small part OF the work before A glance at
the standing objects provided for in our Consti-
ion shows that the projectors of this Association
have high aims and wide Y MS. | give them. not