THE BISHOP OF LICHFIELD.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 121, 25 February 1926, Page 8

THE BISHOP OF LICHFIELD.

ON “ STICKY ELDERS.” How Attract the Young? Dr. J. A. Kempthorne, Bishop of Lichfield—whose nephew is Bishop of Melanesia—has been making some seasonable if trite remarks. At a diocesan conference this week he declared that those who are always groaning and moaning about the degenerate character of the youngpeople of the present day because they are fond of dancing, so thoughtless, so giddy, and so wholly given over to amusement,” should remember that “we were just the same sort of people at their age.” In other words, he reminds ns that the attacks of which we hear so much are attacks on the shortccming-s, cr alleged shortcoming-s, of youth as a whole rather than on the youth of this generation. The Bishop, too, attacks the elders for “ stickiness and adherence to most unnecessary and undesirable ancient customs.” tie doesn’t wonder that young people do not care to go to church, “ where everything is being swayed by the stupid, sticky conservatism of some of their seniors.” He would have some care bestowed on making our churches display some qualities that will attract. Here my Lord of Lichfield is placing himself in line with the Bishop of Aberdeen, who the other day ranged himself with those who regard dancing as a healthful pursuit and not one to be frowned upon by the Church.