The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-03-02
ON Y. M. c. A. WORK
Address by ]. R. Mott at
Association Hall.
What is Being Done in Other Coun-
tries-Work Among
Young Men.

AT the reception in the Y NJ c. A
hall, Tuesday evening. February Esd, J.
R. Mott delivered the following adj
dress:
AT such a time as this it is well that
we examine the foundation of our be-
! lief in the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION. They need only be brought
/ before us to deepen our convictions and
strengthen our faith in the organiza-
/ ton. Why, then, do we believe in the
Young Mems Christian Association?
| We believe in it because Satan is put
ting forth special efforts TO reach and
ruin young men, and because they are
lyieldiug in such appallingly large num-
bers to his onslaughts. He is directing
! the great forces of gambling, impurity.
! intemperance, opium, and avarice pri
marily at this class. The Church, there
| fore. animated by this spirit of Him
who is not willing that any should
perish, united in establishing this light
house. this city of refuge, this life-sav-
! ing station, to conteract the forces of
/ the evil one We believe in the
association because it seeks to
reach the most influential class of
the communicative young men.
You save an old man and you deal in
addition; you save young man and
in the association, because its mission
is to the whole man. 1t aims to build
up the body. TO train the mind. 10 en-
rich the heart, to save the soul-thus
sending out young men TO stand four
square to every wind that blows. We
believe in the association because it
unites and works for all classes of
young men. In its successful efforts
on behalf of such classes as students,
business men, clerks, merchants, sail
lors. it has become all things to all men
that by all means it might save some.
Moreover, in working out this question,
! it has shown worldwide adaptation.
The Young Mems Christian Association
is today firmly intrenched in nearly
5000 centers, and has a membership
: of 100000 young men. We believe in
: the Young Mems Christian Association
because men and women of consecrat-
: ed wealth believe in it. As a result OF
their benevoIence, in the United States
and Canada alone, within the last SO
: years, over 500 association buildings
have been erected at a cost of S1S,000,-
600 in gold. Even railroad corporations
which are said to be soulless, believe in
/ the association, as is seen from the fact
l that last year in the United States they
/ contributed TO the current expenses Of
[ this work, from corporation funds
: nearly S10O0 600 in gold. We believe il
lit. moreover, because college president:
5 ard professors unite in saying that the
s 500 associations of students in differ
1 emf parts of the world constitute thC
l great fact in the religious life of oul
e colleges. There are deeper reasons still
4 for our belief. These associations arr
y yearly leading thousands and Thousands
e of young men to become believers il
: Jesus Christ. as their Savior and Lord
I and to identify themselves with Hi
l Church. 1t must never be forgotten
e that the association is not church
nor in any sense substitute for thu
4 Church, but is simply union OF youn!
I men of all branches of the Church o
Christ to reach other young men AMI
draw them into the Church. And no
only are these associations leadin;
Young men to become Christians, bu
they are also training tens of thousand
: of young men in methods OF Christian
e work and sending them back better pre-
+ pared to take positions of leadership il
the forces of the Church. Not leas
: among the foundations of our belief /
J the fact that the association is grea
e spiritual unifying force. 1t is humbl,
n seeking TO help TO realize the prayer o
X our Lord that we all might be one
e Where is there more practical demon
$ stration of the fact: There is on
/ body and one spirit. even as also Y
s were called one in hope OF your calling
II one Lord. one faith, one baptism, on
/ God and Father of all. Who is over al
If and through all, and in all For thes
Y and other reasons. we believe in tn
Young Mems Christian Association
More than this. We believe that thei
work will endure. Those who Civ
time, money, and influence to this as
. ISOLATION; place time, money, and in
% fiuence where they abide. For. afte
IS these walls have fallen and this ston
: shall have crumbled to dust, the infiu
ence of this association shall go on an
y on. because it is founded on the wor
y of God. and Heaven and earth ma
pass away but My word shall not pas
away. Moreover, Jesus Christ is Hin
self the Chief Corner Stone, and He
the same yesterday, today and forever