Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 65, 16 April 1943, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

LAST CHANCE ! ONE FOR DAD ! Under these lilies and many oth-; ers, men, women and children are being asked to subscribe their halfcrowns, shillings and sixpences to patriotic funds in almost every city and town in New Zealand to-day. The question ;i>sked you and to which you must make answer is "What attitude are you adopting when asked to buy union or raffle tickets?'"' These things in spite of their disguise as patriotism or a good cause arc nevertheless simply gambling. There is no fundamental difference between taking a ticket in an art union and having ten shillings each way on the What-you.;{may~eall-Jt Handicap with a bookmaker; no difference fundamentally between the purchase of a ticket in a raffle or a bazaar and indulging in a gamo of crown and anchor or poker witjli* your weekly wages as the stake. Gambling may be roughly defined as an attempt to get by chancy* something which has. not been earned, for which nothing has been given In return and to which no claim or right can be made. Gambling is wrong because amongst other things it appeals to the; lowest motives, greed, covctousness and laziness, it is wrong because the gambler is do-, ing not an atom of service to the community in return for the money he takes. It is wrong because it tiestroys character; it blinds the moral vision and hardens the heart against the suffering of others. On this question the Christian who is strong enough to take a stand will doubtless be in the minority. He. Avill probably be laughed at for his ideals. His stand, will subject him to the ridicule ami scorn of others. This position with the minority will not be an unusual one for the Christian. Ever since his Master was on earth scorn and ridicule have been his lot. The arguments and reasons advanced to persuade anyone who refuses to buy art union tickets and the like arc very subtle. They all, however, savour of compromise and, to the Christian, com promise, is impossible. No man can serve two masters. The choice is God or Munition. This evil is abroad in our lair country to-day with a bold front. It has been in the Jield a long time and, is, deeply entrenched. We must attack it with all the strength and might in our power or we shall be too late. It will have done its deadly work and the Kingdom of God will be so much further away.

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

(Supplied by tlie Whakatane Ministers' Association).

YOU ARE PREPARED TO DEFEND YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR HOME, YOUR COUNTRY, AT WHAT EVER COST But for those who remain in New Zealand the- threatening dangers seem as yet remote. We are not yet required to extinguish incendiary bombs, to wear gasmasks, or to rush for protection into underground shelters; nevertheless. There is an enemy in our midst, an enemy more, subtle, just as destructive, and in the end, more deadly in its effects than the bombs and "blitz" of mod-' em warfare. Religious indifference, like a poison gas, is paralysing the life of New Zealand. Parental laxity, as devastating as any Fifth Column activity, is. undermining the home life of our country. Are you playing your part as a Christian parent, or does your failure to discharge your full responsibilities as such, leave a dangerous gap in your home life through which deadly enemies arc pouring in ? "We deplore the anti-Christian! training of German youth, but many of our own young people are being steadily paganised through the. neglectful indifference or easy-going incompetence of their parents. We appeal to you to take your stand in the front line of New Zealand s "Home Guard'' of active, intelligent Christian parents. Neither father nor mother can afford to be off duty. Under God, I you are chiefly responsible for your child's physical and. spiritual welfare. You arc. prepared to work your fingers, to the bone to provide your child with food and clothing for his body. Are you prepared to exert yourself to feed and nourish his enquiring soul? These arc organisations to help you in this—the Girls' and Boys' Brigades, the. Sunday School, the Bible. Class, and the services of the Church. Ihe services of experienced Christian men and women are made freely available to your child., But—no one can fully take your place. Especially ; in his early years you are the final authority and the model of right behaviour to your child. Much that is taught and done by outside organisations can be confirmed or cancelled out by your example. AVhat kind of example arc you setting before your child? God becomes real to the child who sees Him honoured and obeyed in his own home. God will be central in the affairs of the nation to the extent that He is central in your home. Neutrality is dangerous! Act now! "