STREET MEETINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 125, 19 February 1940, Page 4

STREET MEETINGS

Sir, —With reference to street meetings, the subject apparently of a prolonged discussion at Monday night's Borough Council meeting, it seems to me that much was made of very little. As far as I understand, a few weeks ago some young people got together to study the Bible in order to help each other to live better lives in accordance with the teaching of Scripture. The natural result of this was that, undoubtedly having received much help and benefit from such a course of study, they should want to tell other people some thing of blessings they themselves I have received, and in doing so,. I submit, they were only running true to form. Apostles and teachers all down the ages since Christianity was first introduced have done exactly the same. Paul did it; Luther did it; Tyndalc did it; John Knox did it; and so did General Booth when he dragged an empty kerosene tin through some of the streets of London to draw attention to-the Avon derful message he had to deliver, and I think none will dispute the fact that we to-day owe a debt of gratitude to all such men that wc will never be able to repay. But it seems to many people—and I confess I am one of them—that the fundamental truths that these and other men and women laboured and sacrificed themselves foi\ are in a # great measure being lost sight of and neglected—truths on which the foundations of our Empire were laid and on which the mighty structure that we are so proud of has been built up—truths that gave souls and make the noblest characters.

Queen Victoria when asked fpr the secret of England's greatness is said to have laid her hand upon her Bible and said: "This"; the book that Lord Gladstone called "the impregnable rock of Scripture." And while it is said that in the reign of Queen Victoria no less than 604 Acts of Parliament had to be repealed, not one of the precepts and sayings of our Lord have had need to be or could be amended What wonder then that when these young people find for themselves something of the value of these truths they should want to share them with others. So they take their courage in both hands and go into the streets and try in their own simple way to tell other people of the wonders of the discoveries they have made; discoveries that are usually made upon one's knees, at one's bedside, over an open Bible stained Avith tears; — discoveries of joy and peace, I am convinced, that hundreds of men and Avomen in the Bay of Plenty anrl elseAvhcre avouUl give much to possess. Can you blame them?

It seems that these young enthusiasts caused some people some annoyance. Probably they .did. I understand that one of them dug up a loud speaker somewhere and that this was used at a few meetings in all innocence, but was removed as soon as it was known to be annoying. Obstruction! Personally, I didn't think there was much weight in this suggestion. I had the honour of standing with these boys on two occasions and there was certainly no obstruction then. They stood on the side of the street at a place where cars cannot park because of a water plug, so that they Avere occupying a vacant place. Unfortunately, so few people stopped to listen that obstruction was out of the and in any case the police were there; to move people on if necessary.

Councillors seem to think that the square is the proper place for meeting and so it is if the company is large. But the square is a big open place where few people will stand to listen to anything unless it is very attractive, and there are few people passing by. Most preachers etc. including the Salvation Army with a band have found it comparatively useless to hold meetings in the square. It is quite true of course that these people should have asked permission before holding meetings, but young people are often thoughtless and often indiscreet as in the case of the loud speaker. These boys I suppose, would most likely, call themselves "fishers of men" and as boys usually do, they went where the fish were. The square is hopeless for a small company, nor do we

want them to stand there and have to shout to make themselves heard. Shouting is to my mind unbecoming for a message of such dignity. Then the message. His Worship the Mayor, who seemingly vas eager as any of the Councillors to put a stop to these meetings, was apparently the only one who had any idea what the preachers were talking about. Marvellous! Personally 1 don't think that I altogether believe in "free speech." But surely we can use some discretion- These boys are not Communists or Pacifists likely at this time to make a disturbance and people know that. Their message as I said before is the same simple, yet profound Gospel of justification by faith in the finished work of Calvary that has been preached for nearly 2000 years and accepted almost everywhere as the greatest Gift and Blessing that Almighty God has bestowed upon mankind. How strange that people don't want to hear it! Can. we blame these young people if they are eager to call people's attention to so. vital a matter? Many people the "world would be in a condition if these eternal verities were given more intelligent consideration. I heard the Bishop of London say so not many weeks ago. and thousands of men of high degree in England and elsewhere, say that what we need most of all to-day is a return to the old simple savins* truths of the Gospel. I heard many of them say so. Some years ago there was a council meeting something like the one on Monday night,- and strange "to say one of the items on the agenda paper was "street preachers." After the subject had been discussed for a good while, and not without considerable heat, one Councillor got up and made a proposal which was finally agreed to, and it was this — "Refrain from these men and let them alone, for if this council or this work be of men it will come to nought; but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it; lesb happy ye be found to fight against God." And also let us remember that the two nations that we are at war with todajr have both of them rejected God's Ploly- Word. I hope Mr Editor, that I have not encroached too much upon your valuable space and thanking you in anticipation. Yours etc., JOHN PEARSON. Whakatane 15/2/40.