CHURCH SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 8

CHURCH SERVICES

Sir,—Delayed 011 my journey north through our capital city last Sunday ovening, and lucking the opportunity of reaching a place of worship siuce tho death in action at sea two years ago of my eldest son, 1 thought I could not moro profitably employ the time than by wending my way to the'church.of my fathers, thus making, as it were, a humble memorial service; hoping also that perhaps a word of comfort from tbo glorious Gospel might reach my. ear. With that object in mind, I visited what I 'understood to be tho Anglican' ProCathedral. Judge of my disappointment on finding some musical ceremonial was to form the Major part of. Divino service, a service in which, so tar as •I could see, worshippers could take little or no part. (With a delicate touch oj irony the congregation certainly was-in-vited to join in singing the hymns.) but, unless my. mental powers deceive mo, a brief half-hour devoted to' tho study of the Grand Old Book at home would have proved moro helpiul, more inspiiing than those long drawn-out ellorts to which wo listened. ' Whin will our clergy come back to "fiivst principles," the only top'es beneficial to those in search of life. Doubtless the intention of tho service was .worthy enough: as a message ot_ enlightenment, as a guide to true religion, as a something oiie could participate in and thank God for, tho resultant (to at least ono member of that congregation) was wholly worthless. - - U mv elbow, was a solitary figure in khaki, and, I felt for the man. He seemed nonplussed like myself. Let us hopo his judgment was more charitable than mv own. Vet I venture to assert that after the plain, straightforward, forceful, 'and uplifting words of more than ono padro ho had listened to at the front, llio present service Would have guttered much by'contrast. What possible inducement did it hold out to lam to again enter the House of Uod? I hero was no singlo way' of light discoverable. Surely, Sir, something more inspii|ng, more in keeping with the spiritual needs of tho thousands ol .returning soldien, with whom death has been u daily acquaintance, could befouncl—nay, moie, oueht to be forthcoimng-at times like this. It may be.urpl that the principal church of the diocese must tab a comprehensive view m arranging its strvices—an argument entirely beside my contention. The men who ha\c fought, and bled, and died for lis so rccentlj demand the first consideration ill this as iifother matters. Are they getting it? With no wish. whatever of raising a co I ve.rsy (in which I intend to take no part) has this letter been penned. It i, but tho simple expression of one who has passed the "three-score years, of one to whom the great war has bought, loss irreparable, and of ono whoso perapectue is tbl>t ° f AN EVANGELIST.