Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 53, 5 March 1943, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied Jay the Whakatf DO YOU AGREE ? j Some time ago a writer to a religious journal said, in answer to previous correspondence: It ..should be no part of the Churclv.s. policy to provide Facilities for Sunday sport and entertainment at picture theatres, not even for our American visitors. j The matter was taken up as an essay competition, and a prize was offered for the best answer sent in. We print the replies, just, as they appeared, with the Editor's com-j ments. You were asked if you agreed with this writer. The subject was timely, an!d brought some good replies. There are, of course, two sides to the question, and both were avcll discussed, but those .who voted for the old-time Sunday, even in war time, were in the majority. Most were agreed that Christianity is so distinctive, so outstanding, so boldly pronounced a thing, that we must insist on its being unadulterated. There were a few who thought this Avise (quoting from entries), 1. I,overs of righteousness must do all possible ot provide, pleasant activities and entertainment even on the one day of the week which in times of peace has been devoted to Church-going and quiet rest. 2. If the Church helps to attend to the superficial needs of soldiers in any healthy wholesome Avay they desire, it Avil! naturally be looked to for help Avhen deeper needs are set. At the same time the Church should seek opportunities of proclaiming her ideal, and the spiritual and physical advantages of ' a loftier conception of the. Sabbath day. (Does this mean do as we, say, but not as Ave do?) 3. If it is necessary to make one or two small compromises to get the men of the country within Church portals, surely the result avM be worth while. But most contributors struck quite a - different note. The prize, a copy of The Friendly Year, by H. L. Gee, goes: to Emily for the following fine answer. Personal experience. is always welcomed. "Yes, I agree. A courteous visitor always accepts without question the hospitality accorded him. Let our visitors s.eo that we regard Sunday as a holy day and they will respect our feelings in that direction. But our responsibility as a Church and as Christians, does not end there. My thoughts go back to student days in Christchurch, when each Sunday fifteen to twenty young men and women boarding in the city Avere invited to the home of a saintlv couple, who loved young folk. We arrived.in time to view the garden, and to pick a large bunch of Aoavers each. Then followed a sumptuous tea, after Avhich' A\ r e enjoyed

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

pne Ministers' Association). music and a friendly social hour. Finally the old gentleman seated himself at the organ, and for an hour Ave sang the old Avell-knoAvn hymns. I don't know whether that couple realised just how much joy they brought to lads and lassies many miles from their oavii homes.'' A few mare entries, selected from many equally vigorous, show that, our Church people still have regard for their Christian heritage. "There is no sufficient reason for | I the Church V> abandon its. principles on any A'ital- issue, in order to giA r e fun to anyone, Avhether American A T isitors or not: its function is to proAdde something much more satisfying and permanent, than a ball game or a cinema stunt. These things, if deemed necessary, can be giA r en by other organisations. We know other countries where Sunday sport is the common practice; has this, definitely raised the moral standard of these lands? Has it elevated the religious life of the people? Has it exalted the Head of the Church to His rightful place? Has it sent, out men and women burning with missionary enthusiasm? These arc the functions of the 1 Church.'never more so than in wartime. Unless these questions, can truthfully be answered by 'Yes,' Avhy should Ave exhibit to our guests ' such a poor conception of 'a Christian Order' in a country"s life? Why not throAv open more freely the Christian home, the Church's Social Hall, the Church itself, and the open hand of friendship?" Azalea. "We certainly should offer enter- , tainment and fellowship to these but we must consider their Sunday entertainment just as carefully as avc do that for our oavii sons. In my home the Sundays were rich in happy felloAA'ship. Between Church services there Avas singing,, reading together, and. cosy yarning, energetic and thoughtless sport, so Ave had no desire at all for more and our young mates: loved to join us. There are very feAv picture films, which would fit in with this programme. We must recapture that joyous atmosphere of felloAvship in God'ls presence for these boys who arc far from their homes." Hope. "Never do evi 1, not even for our American Aisitors, that good may be the result.. Keep Sunday sacred. Think of the American mother, Avith her dimmed eyes: and outstretched arms, saying good-bye to her soldier lad, her unspoken prayer is, Saviour Avalk Avith my dear son for me. ProA r ide no facility for Sunday sport, but Ncav Zealand AA T omen, the opportunity is here, entertain in Church halls or pmrate homes. It does not follow that because our country does wrong, avc must do likewise. ; C'raigo. j