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Ystrad—W[oqday.

Caerphilly —Tuasday

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Y.M.C.A.

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Y.M.C.A. PONTYPRIDD'S NEW BRANCH. On Thursday afternoon, the new branch of the Y.M.C.A. at 36, Taff Street, Pontypridd, was opened by Mr L. Gordon Lenox, J.P., the president. Previous to the opening cere- mony a highly successful social tea was held a3 the Congregational Schoolroom, when Mr Lenox delivered the following address: — Within toe comparatively short period of half a century, this great movement has, under God's blessing, spread over the world.Branches have everywhere been established in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Oceania. In Great Britain alone there are 900 centres with a total membership exceeding 80,000. Spread over the United States, the British Colonies, and foreign countries there are no less than 6.500 centres with a total membership of over half a million. The South Wales district can boast of 30 centres with a gross membership of 5,500. The first question that naturally arises in the enquiring mind is, "Is this in- tended to be a new church?'' No, certainly not! The Association earnestly disavows any intention of entering upon functions proper to iho Churches. It desires OTIly to be a helper to the Churches, to. add unconverted YCUll men to the fellowship of existing Churches, without in any way presuming to ucrride which sect they shall join. The Y.M.C.A. is then an union of young men mem. hers of all Churches or none, who hold to the heal, Christ Jesus, our Lord, according to the Scriptures. The movement is thus most distinctly unscctarian. One of the most dis- tinguished lavmen, Sir Richard Webster, Q.C., ?.I.P., has said of this great movement that ''The longer one lives, and the more- one knows of the hard work cf this world, the more the certainty is forced 11110B one of the absolute necessity ef Christian agencies of this kind. ■ If a young nnn is to be kept straight there must be someone to guide and help him amitl the manifold temptations by which he iy beset. Those of us who have gone through life, and who know what docs beset young ¡,:(]1, know that we ought with the tenderest crire, without any assumption of superiority, without any touch of pride or self-assertion, to treat such young men as friends, to assoc- iate with them, and to lead them to unite in Christian Associations. The Ministers) of I religion will be the first to tell us that they cannot do as much personal work as they would lik". to do and they, more than anyone, will welcome the lay influence which can be e exercised by one young man upon another through the medium of the Y.M.C.A." It is because wo know that we young men who come to this town will find in the Association benefits and enjoyments, and that which will. to a certain extent, replace a Christian home, that* we wish God speed to this Association— this Branch of a great Association. In these days it almost seems as though men were be- coming ashamed of religion. It. is far too lightly spoken cf. and scoffers too often gain the applause of weak-minded young men, not really bad themselves. Why should this be r Do you find the Queen's soldiers ashamed of their uniform?. Certainly not! Then let us no be ashamed of wearing Christ's livery. Soldiers of Christ arise And put your armour on; Strong in the strength which God supplies Through His Eternal Son. All of us here present, and all the young men who may hereafter join this Association, should surely be proud of having enlisted into Christ's aimy, and far from desiring to hide the fact that we have joined a Christian Association, let us diligently search for fresh recruits, and do our best to swell the ranks. We are here to-day to help the young. All sects and sec- tions associated together on a common plat- form to support a purely unsectarian move- ment. Would to God that all our dissentions might cease, for banded together we might yet prevail* against the drifter, the listless, the Agnostic, and the ever increasing numbers of those who completely and entirely ignore religion of any sort; bus split up and divided, what can we hope to do ? Do you think i a great army could ever vanquish the foe if led by officers commanding great divisions on plans of their own, without any regard to the orders of the Commander-in-chief? The Association we are supporting to-day en- Ceavours to win over young men, and to promote their spiritual, intellectual, social and al physical well-being. The Association should i be of incalculable benefit to young men coming as strangers into our town. Youth is a time when character is formed. When a young man enters for the first time a strange dist- rict he is apt to suffer from extreme loneliness; it is then that he will eat readily of the fruit of good and evil. Temptation abounds on all sides, the broad road that leads to destruction is well paved and lighted, and rendered more attractive than the narrow road that we all wish to take, the road that after many twists and turns, leads to "The great Eternal City, that has no need of the sun, neither of the n.ocn, to shine in it. for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.' May I venture to offer just a few words of aevice to my young friends present here to- day? Put not too much faith in riches, but learn to enjoy thek present. without unduly worrying about the future. A' larger income does not always bring more happiness; the enjoyment of riches in possession bears no pro- pcrtiorj to what might fairly be anticipated; wants quickly beget each other, and from those who have much, much is expected. Sigh not for high places or wider spheres, but wait submissive till promotion comes; only deserve it, and leave the rest to God. The young man shculd cultivate self-reliance, leaning only on himself and God; do not trust too much to the help of others; "God help-, those who help themselves." Leave such words as "can't" for fools anit- children, "Try, and try again" is the watchword of men. Denounce not work as drudgery, nor regard it as a sad necessity; was. not Christ a carpenter? A lazy, listless life becomes no man, no matter what his posi- tion may b2. Work should be conscientiously done, whatever our calling may be; at timps the clouds may seem, black and heavy, but God has never yet refused "the yarn to him who sought to spin." Be no laggard in life's busv hive; be active, energetic, anxious to do your best however humble youri calling may be. Earthly employers are not like the great Maste." who graciously permitted workmen to enter his service at the eleventh hour; and bear m mind that if your occupation is humble, while you may be suited to act a part on the side- scene of life, you might be worse than useless in the front. Therefore, be content, "fo- a contented mind is a continuous feast. e, '1 to think for yourselves. As the world ad vancos you too should progrc-s. i>y nil meadS strengthen thought by stu King the accumula- ted knowledge of those who. being dead, yet speak to us through priceless hooks, and be sure that it is seldom that a thinker is a. vicious man. This is no chance world where trees of fame will grow from seeds of sloth, or plentious Autumns from idle Springs. Eter- nity is but Time's harvest-liome, Futurity tha blossom of to-day, and what thou sowest, that shalt thou reap." Choose carefully thy friendst. and if thou wouldst liave many, show thyself friendly to others, loving unto Jready-handed both to help and serve. Finally^' be courteous and considerate, un- selfish, and nimdful that all Inave feelings that can be hurt as easily as thine own. A gok*» watch or a smart coat will never make 3 gentleman, therefore cultivate good manners. The diamond is but an uncouth stone until it has been polished; then see ho*v it sparkles and shines, and so it is with man. I need not warn you to tend and care for your outwar.i. man; youi see everywhere around you liov earnestly and anxiously its welfare and adorn- ment is looked after, but spare some time a..d effort to tend the soul within, remembering that it is gifted with undying life. Be watc fili ever, look inwards for example, take a lesson from your beating heart that never slackens its efforts, or shirks its duties. In conclusion, trust in God, and" He will ever guide, direct, and comfort you. Has He not said that "I will be a father to you, and y& shall be my sons and daughters," and again, "Ye are the temple of the Holy-Ghost, and I will dwell in you, and ye shall be my people." Cast ye, then, your cares upon God, "for he careth for you." Do not forget God all the week; remember with deepest gratitude that He watches over you every day, and every hour of your life, and that he is ever ready to (fill your heart with that surpassing peace that passeth man's understanding, and is in- comparably superior to all earthly joys -and happiness. Major Hill-Male, on being called upon, a remarkably interesting and stirring address, as also did the Rev. W. I. Morris. Mr Joseph David, Mr C. Bubb, and the lion. sec., Mr Fellows. A vote of thanks having been given for the use of the Chapel schooL room, the Rev. Mr Owen concluded the meet- ing by asking a blessing. The company then adjourned to the premises iir Taff Street, secured for the purpose of the Association, when Mr Jones, of the Maritime Colliery, Mr W. Jones (Water Works), Rev. W. Morris, Mr Arnott also gave addresses. Mr L. Gordon Lenox then formally declared the premises open. It is earnestly to b3 hoped that all will help in this new work which is badly needed in our midst. Subscriptions may be sent to Mr Lenox, thd president of the Association, to Mr Joseph David, the chairman, or to the hon. sec., Mr E. Fellows, at the offices in 36, Taff street. The following goods are much needed and will be gratefully received from any one disposed to assist:—Plain wood writ- ing jdesk, mats, rugs, etc, umbrella stand, iock-ttp- cupboard, overmantle, books, book- shelf, pictures, newspapers, magazines, etc., etc.

QUEEN'S SCHOLARSHIPS.

CAERPHILLY DISTRICT COUNCIL.

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--==:' Queen's Nursiqg Association.…

INew Chapel ..at Ferndale.

Foods and Drugs ct.

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