PEOPLE CAN GET OVERDOSE OF RELIGION

Chronicle (Levin), 21 July 1947, Page 2

PEOPLE CAN GET OVERDOSE OF RELIGION

^ WELLINGTON, July 19. Oii the day following the preaehing of his 'last sermon as viear of Tinui, the liev. W. Tye, lilled a barrow with his old sennons and deposited them on the dump in his vegetahle garden. When he gave that informatdon to the Wellington Dioeesan Synod yesterday, he said: "I am not only sick and tired of hearing myself preaeh, but of hearing other people preach, too!" Mr. Tye has now retired from the active ministry of the Church after 44 years' serviee.

The diseussion arose from a motion by Mr. G. L. Giesen, who suggested that the standing committee should find wavs and nreans so that two liours might be devoted at eaeh Synod to the spiritual work of the Church.

Mr. Tye thouglit that the present forms observed at Synod were suffieient. Synod, he said, began with a special serviee, and each meeting was opened and concluded witli prayers. "Both clergy and laity," he proceeded, ' ' can have an overdose of religion. It is the same with our children, who often groan at the thought of it," The president (the Eight Eev. R. H. Owen) was asked if the speaker were in order, and, in reply, said: "I think we would all enjoy listening to Mr. Tye a little longer. " Providod that members did their duty at Synod, Mr. Tye deelared, he saw no reason why, for instance, they should not go to the pictures. Mr. Giesen: lt is not a questipn so much of holding a praver meeting, but rather that we should devote more timo to the spiritual work of the Church, and, generally, make it more attractive. A iayman's viewpoint was expressed by Mr. Harold Miller when he said that there were niany important matters agitating the public mind which Synod might diseuss and quite profitablv provide a lead. The speaker referred to tlie Gaining and Licensing Conimissions, the abortioiL proljdem, and questions such as the keeping of natiopal good faith with other countries. An amended motion that .it be a recommendation to the standing committee that at future sessipns of Synod, two hours be devoted to discussing? wavs tufd means of furthering the work of tlie Church in the community and propagating its message, was carried unaniniously.