The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-01-04
Stirring Address from Sir George
Williams.
A Y. M. C. A. PRESIDENT
Head of the National Council
"Christ's Presence our Inspira-
tion"-Strong Men Wanted.

| er of the Association and now at the
head of the National Council in Lon
don:
Beloved Fellow Workers and Members
Of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation.
The New Year upon which we enter
today is a gift from God. II comes
to us freighted with renewed opportu-
mites, with continued privileges, and
with increased responsibilities. We
gratefully welcome this priceless gift,
and, as we enter together upon another
period of Association work, we would
individually resolve that, by Gods
hep, we will Loyalty and faithfully full
ill our sacred trust.
The past year, like those which have
preceded it, has been crowded with
blessing. God has set His seal upon
our efforts. There has been steady
growth in almost every direction. The
traditions Of the past have been fully
maintained. The Y. NJ. G. A. is an
increasing force and power in our land.
The retrospect awakens profound gra-
titude, and fills our hearts with hope
and courage for the future.
l rejoice to think of the thousands
who, in connection with our Y NJ c.
AS throughout the world, are witness
ing for Jesus Christ, and are seeking,
by example and precept, to win their
fellow young men to Him. No figures
can present the good effected by such
an army of Christian soldiers. But
there are multitudes of young men yet
unreached. The battle still RACES the
forces of evil are rampant; wickedness
abounds. The attack must therefore be
continued, and must never cease until
the joyful note of final victory is pro-
claimed In the name of Christ, whom
we serve, | summon you again to buc
kle ON the armour and to prepare for
the conflict. Let us re-dedicate our
selves to our Master and to our work,
seek afresh those spiritual endowments
WulCI SHll CNCl lCdNS " DColOW,
and thus be the better equipped for the
grand and glorious crusade to which
we are called.
The Motto Text selected by the Ma
tional Council-"Be strong, and work,
for I am with you, saith the Lord of
Hosts" QHaggai 2:D-furnishes sug-
gestions and lessons, especially appro-
pirate to our persona, life, and to our
Association work. 1t suggests to us
the topic Strength for Work: Christ's
Presence Our Inspiration" which is
the burden of my Years message, and
which I earnestly pray may be the
instrument of blessing to all who read
it.
With the circumstances under which
the words were spoken we are all
doubtless familiar By the permission
of a foreign power the Jews had re-
turned to Jerusalem from their cap
tivity in Babylon. They found the land
which their fathers had conquered,
and from which they had been eXpell
ed, neglected and deserted. This led
them to become so engrossed in their
family affairs, and so self-central in
worldliness and covetousness, that
they could not be persuaded to COM
mence the rebuilding of the Temple,
which had been burnt by the Chaldees.
They intended to do so, but the time,
they urged, was not come that the
Lords House should be built. Procras
tination was the fruit of their selfish
ness. At this point the Lord, through
His servant Haggai, sounded the trum-
pet call of duty. This aroused them
from their Indifference into definite
and united action, and the building of
the Temple was proceeded with. They
were, however, almost Immediately
met with opposition and discourage
ment Invidious and humiliating
comparisons were drawn between the
Temple they were rearing and the ORR
ginal Temple that had been destroyed.
They lost heart, and were well-nigh
ready to give up in despair. But at
this critical juncture they were stimu-
lated by words of inspiration and
cheer.
Haggai promised them that the sec
ond- Temple should be more glorious
than the first, and, as if this were not
sufficient, the Lord Himself, by His
own voice, twice repeated, assured
them in tones they could not mistake
that He was with them. This put
courage and energy into their hearts.
They ali, with a will, heartily united
in the work. The walls rose, the build
ing was completed, and, according to
promise, the new House was lighted
with glory transcending that which
filed the ancient Temple of Solomon.
Dear brethren, we are engaged, no
in the upraising of material temple,
but in a work infinitely more impor-
tant Every renewed nature forms
part of a mighty whole that will find
its unity in the spiritual temple which
is being raised TO the honor and glory
of God.
We are permitted to cooperate in
the upbuilding of this glorious Temple
Living men, with their boundless cap
abilities and immeasurable possibi,i-
ties for good or evil, are the material
upon which we are privileged to work.
And we do not labor in vain. Many
stones, rough and unshapely, have, to
use a figure, been hewn from the quar-