HOME LIFE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1931, Page 2

HOME LIFE

ATTACK FROM PUL/’IT. “TOO MUCH GAIETY.” SYDNEY, March 25. The climax that seems to have been reached in Australian national affairs seems to have had the effect of bringing the Church closin' to the people Every Sunday now, if'rom' many of the pulpits in Sydney, vital, everyday topics are discussed, and this class ol sermon seems to attract the crowd e nd. more than one founded on theological study. For instance, when the Rev. I'd H. I*. 'award announced that he would speak on home life, modern business methods, and politics at tlie Manly .Methodist Church last Siliv.lay the church was crowded long before the service commenced and loud-speak-ers carried the address to the crowd that was unable to gain admission. Other churches noted for the fact that the preacher deals with modern topics are crowded every Sunday. There has been something of a revival in church attendance, proving that there is some thing in the old saying that it takes a crisis to turn the hulk of the people to religion. .MODERN TENDENCIES ATTACKED. Most of these sermons are not of a kindly nature, being bitter attacks in most instances, on modern tendencies, but ’this does not detract in any way from their popularity. The type of sermon they like best seems to follow the lines of that delivered by Mr Rnward, who said that the most <ll s-t quieting feature of modern society was the decrease In home lfe. “Once,” he said. “th<» young people were in the home at night. Music, games, reading and hobbies went forward until, say 9.30 o’clock. !i: Mm majority pf Christian homes l.im'h j r .- <• •- were observed before retiring. Bui you will not find many young p<> ; • m the home now. There arc too many paties, too many pals, too much gaiety too little solidity, too much spoTt, 'too little thought for the enrichment- of tlie 'future. Go hack to the old idea of home being a place where beautiful memories will bo fashioned which will sweeten all years.” BLUNDER AND FAILURE. Mr R a ward then turned to modern business methods which, as practised by large numbers lie described as “common bushranging.” “There are men of integrity in the business', world,” lie said, “but they are none too plentiful. Half the manufacturers of commodities have no conscience. There is too nine hwator in our milk, too much chicory in our coffee, too much air in our gas, too much cotton in our silk, too much kerosene in petrol, and too much mystery in our sausage.” Dealing with politics Mr Harvard said that both Federal and State Houses would go down in history as extraordinary for their record of continuous blundering and failure for their disregard of moral consideration,! and for an incredible reputation for incapacity. They hail lowered tlm dignity of Parliament, and had destroyed th 0 confidence in Australia abroad They had no policy and were at tho command of outside organisations. The country was like a ship in a stormy sea, being steered by the deck-hands sitting in the stokehold,