RELIGION AND FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 829, 30 May 1910, Page 4

RELIGION AND FOOTBALL.

ADDRESS BY REV. E. 0. BLAMIRES,

A very_ largo congregation .attended at the King's Theatre last evening to hear an address on> the subject of religion and football, by the Rev.'E. 'O. Blamires, of the . Central Mission. Referring to a football match, Poneke v. St. James, ivhich he had witnessed on the previous day, the preacher said that both teams were to bo commended on the spirit which had been shown. There had been a little display of temper when two men were ordered oft the field, but it was a wonder, • said Mr. Blamires, that such a strenuous game did not provoke • more feeling. The game of football, he said, was like the Game of Life, with God as the Great Referee. Footballers sometimes blamed the referee for their misfortunes on the field, instead of blaming themselves. Theso- sort, of grumblers were to be found playing the Game of Life, and blaming the Great Referee if things did not go well with them. True sportsmen nover blamed tjie referee. Referring to the match "he had witnessed on Saturday, the speaker said that the fact that 'the second half of the game was more successful than the first was probably due to the fact that tho trainer got his team toge tlier at half-timo and en« heartened them and instructed them, by pointing out not only their own weaknesses,' but also those of the other side. Tho preacher then recited the poom en. titled "Play the Game," and ho'urged men to play tho Game of Life sobly and well, knowing that there were always onlookers and, above all, the Great Instructor was over looking on and encouraging.