LINE OF DEMARCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 5

LINE OF DEMARCATION.

BERESFORD STREET ANNIVERSARY The Town Hall was packed last evening when the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher conducted a service in connection with the 77th anniversary of the Beresford Street Congregational Sunday School. 'Youth and Modern Life" was the subject of Mr. Fletcher's address, and he took as his text, Ecclesiastes xi. 9, 10. "Rejoice, remove, and remember," were emphasised by Mr. Fletcher. Every age, he said, had its problems, and in the eyes of those living in it every age was the modern age. Every age startled the older ones by its manner of living. The young men and women of to-day were puzzled, he declared. While they knew of the existence of a dividing line, was there any way in which they could discover what was right and what .was wrong? Unquestionably there was a way, but that was not the difficulty. It was their willingness to do right when it was known. They could be sure that God desired them to enjoy life. Mr. Fletcher said that he had no sympathy with the class of teaching that would rob life of its pleasures. It was not God's intention that young men and women should go through this beautiful world without enjoying it. "Do not let any warped-minded person make you think otherwise," was his exhortation. "You are up against many problems, I know," he said, "but as you go out to enjoy life, draw a line of demarcation where contamination begins. Assert your manhood and womanhood. Things in which you could not join without contamination should be cut out. Questionable forms of pleasure, if they depart from the path of rectitude, mean a moral shipwreck for you. Selling your purity, tampering with sobriety or defiling your honesty in your early twenties spells ruination at middle age. There is the greatest of happiness for you if you will only take the way that God has put before you." Mr. Fletcher also spoke at services the morning and afternoon. Both the evening and afternoon services were broadcast from station IYA. It is estimated that over 1000 attended the morning service and 1500 the afternoon. Within live years, the attendance at the Sunday School has grown from 85 to G2O, with a staff of 00 teachers. Of the children now attending classes, COO were present at yesterday's services. In the afternoon, solos were given by Miss Lily Mulvihill, and in the evening by Misses Ruth Gourdie and Isa Campbell. Mr. G. Grey Campbell was the organiser, Mr. W. Gemmel, musical director, Mr. A. Cherry organist, and Miss Thelnia Gordon, pianiete.