CHRISTIANITY AND SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 36, 6 November 1907, Page 4

CHRISTIANITY AND SPORT.

'Can a professionftl': athlete! bjo a-Christian ? Tins question | fins often been, asked before. U.'il. B'rooK, the New South Wales cycling 'champion, wno 'returned 011 October' 22 alter a six months' tour through lliuropo, empha-

tically says "Mo," ancl, at> tho same tune, gives tho true reason lor his retirement 110111 tho sport* of cycling, in which lie has held such a prominent position for tlio "past four years. "i went to Europe to win cycling championships,'' stated tlie returned athlete to a 'representative 1 of ''Tho'Daily Telegraph," "but I've won something' greater. ; I'm now a Christian. lam absolutely. thr6ugh with professional sport. ''As : I stilted yesterday, i!ll never race again. I've been struggling for years to become a Christian, aiiu my trip has decided 1110.' Plll a Christian now, ana feel a different man for : it. I'm quite satisfied that a : man cannot, bo a professional athlete and a Christian, too, and I have relinquished cycle rn'ciiig for ever. ■' I will always carry this little book with me," ,added Brook, snowing with' profound plea- ! sure a book called "Daily Light."'/ "It was presented to' me when I was leaving 'tho boat yesterday. My motto through life is 'to be—"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith.' ■ Quit yd like men, bo strong." for a young fellow professional sport is no gopd. As soon as' a. race' is won,' you'want to live oil .the game.' ' 1 know that''was tho way with 'me.

''When I was in MolboCirno 011 Sunday I saw several of my old companions of tho cycle path. I told them liiy future intentions, and some of them'remarked, 'You are mad I' and they laughed heartily. However, lie who laughs last laughs best. '■ 1 know what lam doing. Let them have their laugh—l suppose a lot of people will laugh—it won't hurt inc. I've lound a new life."

"When did you decide to become a Chris:ian?" •

"On September 20/ 011 the-billows.. Two days later, as I was coming' from service 011 tho boat, a bookmaker,'who had,known 1110 as a racing cyclist, remarked, 'What, 'you been to church, yon hypocrito?' I 'oxplained my futuro intentions to him, but lie hardly treated them seriously. I went through tho slums of Genoa, Berlin, Copenhagen, and elsewhere, and the fact . was brought home to me conclusively that I ought to be a Christian.- i wont homo 011

the Yorck, and returnee! oil the I3ulow, with j\lr. Proctor, a member of the Y.M.C.A. in Christchnrch, Now Zealand, and this gentleman practically won me over to Christianity when I was wavering. "Professional sport is no good to anyone," continued Brook, "and my experience may keep many a young fellow out.of it. If it was fail - and square it would bo all right, bill; it isn't. Tlicre is no legitimate employment open to a professional athlete when his prowess has departed. ' Major Taylor is a Christian, but then the promoters run after him.

"Although dropping out of cycling, I will always take an interest in what is a. fine, healthy exorcise and a good sport," concluded Brook. "I have to thank the officers of the League of Wheelmen, who have dono a lot for me."

Yesterday afternoon Brook, in company with Mr. Alick M'Neil, a prominent member of the Y.M.C.A., called upon Mr. L. C. Cranna, the acting-general secretary of that organisation, of which lie intends to bocomo a member.