CONVERSAZIONE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 892, 15 September 1910, Page 3

CONVERSAZIONE.

We don’t know whether it was the jaw-breakiug title of the function held in the Masonic Hall on Tuesday night last, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, that kept a number of people away, but there was certainly room for 50 or 60 more adults. The hall, however, was comfortably filled, but with such a bill-of-fare submitted the building should have been crowded. Besides an excellent concert programme backed up with refreshments, the Rev Dr. Gibb, of Wellington, aud one of the Dominion’s intellectual giants, delivered an address. Those who did attend, however, were more than satisfied with the social gathering. The Rev Mr Aitken occupied the chair. Mr Betty’s glee party contributed several items which were much appreciated. Other contributors to the programme were Mesdames Boyes and Swannell (the former’s vocal item with violin obligato by Mr Simmons, was a particularly fine number) ; recitation by Mrs Stevenson (“ The Inventor’s Wife”); duet, Messrs Buclass and Jenks ; and a vocal item by the former. Miss Jenks presided at the piano. The lady members of the congregation provided an abundance of refreshments.

The Rev Dr Gibb, who was appropriately introduced by the Chairman, spoke of the Dominion and the Motherland, the comparisons being principally ecclesiastical and religious. He referred to the greatness of the Motherland • ancient and modern, its great industries, institutions, statesmen, etc,, and jocularly referred to the swagger of New Zealanders when discussing “God’s Own Country.’’ New Zealand, he said, was ahead of the Motherland in re certain moral, social and economic conditions. He graphically described certain phases of the drink evil which had come under his notice in the Old Rand, which, happily are not known iu New Zealand. He pointed out that there was a strong battle being waged in the Old Country against the drink evil, and quoted statistics showing a diminution iu convictions for drunkenness in England, Ireland and Scotland, as quoted from Rloyd George’s Budget speech. On the No-Ricense question New Zealand was certainly iu advance of the Homeland. The latter could, however, teach this country lessons on gambling. He said the race days in New Zealand with a population of under one million were s+o iu a y ear > while iu England with a population of 34,000,000 there were only 545 race days. He added that New Zealand was hag-ridden with racing and gambling. He gave some interesting comparisons of wealth and poverty. He said it was a common delusion in New Zealand that only the extremes existed In the homeland, but he said the middle or working class prosperity was a marked feature. He described some harrowing scenes of dire poverty that had come under his notice both in Scotland and England. He drew a vivid picture of the wealth of the West End and poverty of the East End of Roudou. In New Zealand there was not the extreme poverty arid our legislative conditions were more satisfactory. He gave some interesting church comparisons. The prestige and social respect for the churches was much higher at Home, which was due in part to the State Presbyterian Church iu Scotland and the State Episcopalian Church iu England. The churches at Home are ancient and venerable institutions, closely related at many points to the powers that be. He described the pageant at the opening of the Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and referred to the fact that in England the Archbishop of Canterbury crowns the King. He contended that the attendance at public worship here and at Home was unsatisfactory. There was a decadence of interest, and he quoted Roudou in this respect —a very great preacher would draw great congregations, but not so the rank and file. From a spiritual point of view there was a supreme need, both iu the Dominion and the Motherland, of a genuine, deep, forensic revival of religion. He considered the causes of decadence among other things were the glitter of life, strife of classes, scepticism, etc., but iu truth, he said, people did not want to go to church because they did not want to, and they did not want to because they loved the world and did

not love Christ. He counselled those present to be loyal to whatever denomination they belonged ; he urged Presbyterians to remember the historic dignity and worth of Presbyterianism ; to be regular in attendance at public worship. The ancient Hebrew joyed when they bid him go to the house of God, but the modern church member or adherent was either too tired or blamed the weather. He urged them to be of use —not merely ornamental like the parrot of the story —by giving, prayer, and maintaining a high level of Christian character. All his counsel, he said, was summed up in giving themselves to Christ and dedicating all that they own and all they possessed to His service. They never knew what they could do till they tried. But even if they failed after the most strenuous endeavour to achieve their ideals they would at least greatly transcend their present achievement and as the poet had said : “’Tis not the grapes of Caanan that repay, But the high faith (hat fails no by the way.” The address was interspersed with humorous aunecdotes etc., and the speaker created a very deep impression upon his hearers. Dr. Gibb was accorded a vote of thanks and the hope was expressed that he would re-visit Foxton at a later date.