Two Views of Life

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3525, 23 May 1905, Page 2

Two Views of Life

A SADDENING RETROSPECT. TO THE EDITOR OP MANAWAT HER ALD Sir, —Sunday, as probably moat are aware, the quarto-century of the birth of John Knox,, the Scottish Reformer, was celebrated in all the Presbyterian Churches throughout the world. It is pleasing to think that this portentous event was celebrated in other places than our own town, for if its importance were to be guaged by the interest manifested in Foxton, one would think John Knox was a very minor person indeed. This impression would be heightened indeed if we bad paid a visit to the racecourse the same afternoon, with our thoughts probably full of that great man whose life was such a stormy and strenuous one, dwelling reverently on his fearlessness, bis sincerity, and above all h>s firm trait in a Devine Power and hope pf a glorious hereafter; if, while thus engaged in qaiet meditation, we bad entered the racecourse gates,; and. bearing the sound of voices beheld, what ?—a prayer meeting, a solemn service in commemoration of the heroic reformer after the fashion of the old Covenanters ? No, none of these, but something of infinitely more importance to the youth of this town - a football match ! I repeat, Sir, it does not do to judge John Knox by Foxton standards! One would almost think hat hero-wor-ship of which Carlyle writes so graphically were a thing of the past, and that in its place there is a vulgar, sordid, and abasing sentiment that is continually extending its corrupting influence oyer the land. We are glad to know that this is not so; that there still exists—if not to a large extent in Foxton—a considerable amount of that sentiment which is one of the noblest and most inspiring attributes of human nature. Possibly, and let us hope in the near future, these young fellows will be led to see that they are not properly fulfilling their duty here, and that there exist in the world things of far greater moment than football. After all we are not far removed from savages. The sentiment, football inspires in the breasts of soma is very much akin to the reverence the African savage has for his Mumbo Jumbo fetish.—l am, etc., - Nemo.