The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, SEPT. 8th, 1928. A GREAT REVIVAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, SEPT. Bth, 1928. A GREAT REVIVAL.

I'l’iiE Eucharistic Congress now drawing to a close in Sydney lias proved a : great revival gathering, as it were. Ostensibly us a means, for renewing the Christian faith of the people, if has reached out much further and thus attained an. objective far greater than ever was planned. It has arrested the attention of mankind not only in the great metropolitan area of New South 'Wales, hut much furthei abroad. By the aid of radio the proceedings have been broadcasted all ovei Australia, and over New Zealand, and as radio travels so very far in its mysterious flight, so particulars .of the proceedings have reached overseas to very distant lands. On Thursday night, for instance, there 1 was a meeting for men in the Sydney Show Grounds, Specially prepared for an open air religious service, and lit up.as tliongh it were day. In the course of a lengthy description of the proceedings, the announcer intimated that there was an attendance estimated at 150,000 to 200,000 people, the bulk of whom were men. He referred to the order and decorum with which the proceedings passed off, and to the wonderful organisation by which such a vast assemblage might worship ill seemly order and listen in reverent attention to the addresses. The addresses were carried to every corner by means of amplifiers, and the speakers being in front of a microphone, their voice and speech was carried, as it were, to the ends of the earth. Three stations at least in Sydney were heard broadcasting the proceedings, as well as one in Melbourne, and the Wellington station in our own Dominion. There was thus a great invisible audience also following tile proceedings with close attention. Then there was the great volume of the singing led by united choirs, and the whole service created an atmosphere which indicated something of the reverence and devotion of those taking part in this very unusual gathering. Further, the announced gave particulars of to-mor-row’s greater gathering, which is to take place in Hyde Park, Sydney, adjacent to St Mary’s Cathedral. He indicated -that even Hyde Park, commodious as it is, would not he able to accommodate the assemblage anxious to he present. These wonderful proceedings suggest something of the magnitude of this great revival, and it is impossible to contemplate what is going forward without .realising something of the possible effect. Will Sydney not be a great deal better after this great wave of religious fervour? Will that material benefit not extend also to other places .which have been brought into touch with the festival proceedings? The occasion lias called for a wonderful expression of .faith on the part of those joining in the Congress, and that in itself is a manifestation of the strength and purpose of their religious belief These are factors which must , count for the betterment. Australia is , a groat country now coming into very active citizenship. Her people mid her i

cities need honest government and loyal and patriotic service. A revival such as that now ill progress gives hope oi* greater betterment in those essentials of national life, and Australia should be the better for her great experience' and privilege at this juncture. These- evidences of renewed -faith are to be seen in other directions. This week in the neighbouring town of Greymouth, over £IOOO was subscribed on Wednesday by folk largely of the Presbyterian faith to extend its influence. It was not an empty prompting which produced so great a result. Something greater underlies the action, and it is in that fact that there is the greatest hope and encouagement for the future. The necessary leaven is working for the advantage and benefit of mankind at large.