Scout Church Parade

Chronicle (Levin), 16 October 1946, Page 4

Scout Church Parade

M. H.

BOYCE,

J. B

. COLLETT.

W. W.

BENFELL,

Sir,— I desire to rpply to a -letter under the nom-de-plume of "Teacher" in Wednesdav's "Chronicle" with regard to^Bunday's scout and guide church parade. Ih the first place-- 1 think the scouts and guides are to be coihmended for the way' they regularly attehd church parades, and for the Chfistian princi'ples they put into praetice. The principle that all men are brothers, irrespective of race, class or religion, is an admirable ohe. I know personally that all churches were represehted in the congregation on Sunday morning, and, being one of them myself, I can sav that the service left nothing to be desired, except possibly a lai'ger place to seat all comfortably. -It'was youth Sunday at this particular church and it fitted in very we'll with the ocCasion. In connection with the band side of the complaint, I, perhaps, am responsible if it is the Levin Boys' Band that is referred to. Here

again i would like to pomt out that the band did a job of wprk in leading the parade to church. Further, the services of a bandsman show always a true Christian spirit, in as mucli as he gives hours of his time to practice, and plays out on all occasions which the public wish him to, with no thought of reward other than that he is g'Mng somebody else pleasure and joy. While not wishing to discourage "Teacher" in the good work which Sunday school teachers do, 1 think this was the wrong occasion to criticise. I wonder how many children were on parade who usually do not go to Sunday school or church. "For the good that we can do." — Yours, etc.,

Levin, Oct. 15. Levin Boys' Band Sir. — In reference to the letter by your correspondent "Teacher," I wish to state that last Sunday was the scouts' bi-monthly church parade. With the co-operation of the scoutmaster and the leader of the Levin Boys' Band I arranged for the band to lead the parade. . This meant that they had tp assemble a little earlier than usual, but it was never meant to take them from church, but rather to ensure that they attended. To my knowledge the Levin Boys' Band has never held a practice in Sunday school or church hours. I think "Teacher" would have been better advised to have lcarnt the full facts before making his criticism. Yours, etc.,

Hon. Secretary, Levin Boys' Band. Levin, Oct. 15.

Sir. — In reply to "Teacher's" letter in yesterday's "Chronicle," I would say that I am surprised at your correspondent's attitude to me as scoutmaster of the Kia Maia Troop, Levin, in taking the scouts to church service last Sunday and inferring that we have plenty of time through the week for our activities. As church worship is one of our chief "activities, I fail to see that we are terrible offenders.' We hold church parades every second month, along with the cubs, girl guides and brownies, and now the Levin Boys' Band has joined us in attending these services. On other Sundays we encourage the young people to attend Sunday school and church services. During the six years that I have been connected with the scouts no parade has been held at a time which would interfere with attendance at any gathering for religious instruction. Yours, etc.,

Scoutmaster, Kia Maia Troop. Levin, Oct, 16.