“PICTURE” SERVICES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1926, Page 1

“PICTURE” SERVICES

IN AUCKLAND CHURCH. PASTOR’S EXPERIMENT. 1 AUCKLAND, April IS. An innovation that will cause con- ‘ siderable interest in church circles generally is to ho introduced into Mt. - Eden shortly by the Rev. Stanley Morrison, Pastor of tbe Mt. Eden Congregational Church. Air Morrison has made all arrangements for the starting of a community picture-show, to ho given in the Church Hall once a week, and in addition, ho will, at intervals, hold picture services on Sunday evenings. Air Morrison believes that the right type of films will play an important part in the education of to-day. because the time has come when a greater appeal is made through the eyes than through the ears, especially in regard to the younger generation. The visual memory has replaced, to a great extent-, the oral one. Outlining the reason for the “ experiment ” which he is going to make Mr Morrison said: “Many films are really decent-, and could he made to assist greatly in the special work that the church has to do. ATanv of the accepted films of to-day are oversexed, and while sox is a big factor in life, it is not the only one. Other sides of life are far more beautiful and healthy. The trouble, as far as the picture proprietor is concerned, is that lie is in business as a public entertainer, and he has to give what i.s demanded of him. 1 came up against a proprietor some years ago; when I was younger and a little more rash than T am to-day. 1 protested to him about the character of a certain film he was showing. Ho was a very decent chap, .and listened patiently. After I had finished, ho told me that he agreed with all 1 had said, but Ire added that ho was running a picture show, not a .Sunday school, and that- so long as his audience demanded the type of picture under discussion, he felt that he had 1 to give it to them. l lf you and your 1 church people want a better type, the j best thing you can do is to show me so | by your attendance, and I’ll give it to |

you,’ ho said. “ That is the proposition,” continued Mr Morrison. “Church people often complain about the character of certain pictures, and some go to the extent of saying that they make them blush, but somehow or other they go off to shows again, to continue their blushing. It is no use complaining about these types of films, for tbe proprietor lias to cater for a mixed audience. Tbe only solution to the problem i.s for the church to step in and cater for its own people, and seize the opportunity presented by a picture-show of instructing, interesting and amusing its people.” Afr Morrison stated that he was being given whole-hearted support by the film distributors of Auckland, who sympathised with what he was trying to do.