SNOBBISHNESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1099, 27 January 1912, Page 4

SNOBBISHNESS.

STRAIGHT TALK BY A clergyman.

Preaching at a men’s service at St. Helens, in Lancashire, Rev. C. W. Kershaw criticised the multiplicity of philanthropic societies. He feared that many so-called Christians would open their purses to a society which had a countess for a patron or a “ local lion” for a secretary, but would not send a postal order anonymously, or help the poor neighbour next door, or down the lane. There were societies existing for many objects, which would be accomplished without them it there were fewer Pharisees and more Christians. They suppoit hospitals with fancy dress functions, and they restored their ancient churches by raffling dolls at bazaars —provided the bazaars were opened by someone with a handle to their name. Why did almost every Christian precept require the paraphernalia of a society or bazaar to promulgate it ? Why was it so few gave the cup of cold water in His name, whilst the name of Lord Tom Noddy on the bazaar bills drew the country —or those who travelled in motor cars ? Every Christian should read his Bible and Thackeray’s “ Book of Snobs.” Snobbishness was one of the complaints from which the Church was suffering, and the attitude of some people towards the poor was lamentably tactless and patronising. But it could be found as easily among the poor as among the rich; it was not the monopoly of a class. He admitted the snobbery of the clergy was a weakness, but he was not there to wash dirty surplices in public. It was snobbishness which sent a donation to the society with its influential patrons and its printed subscription list ; it was snobbishness that spent a pound at the bazaar and put a shilling in the plate, and put a copper in the bag.