THE FLAPPER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 455, 10 September 1928, Page 14

THE FLAPPER

PERILS OF MODERN LIFE PURSUIT OF EXCITEMENT | The pitfalls that confront the young girl of the present generation was the subject of a sermon on “The Flapper, Her Perils and Her Possibilities,” delivered by the Rev. Leonard H. Hunt jin the Mount Eden Presbyterian Church | last evening. j Superficial pleasures frequently atI tracted the growing girl in her desire i to meet with real life and excitement, ; said the preacher, and in this connec- ; tion parents would be well advised to j watch the type of book which their | daughters were reading. Some modern novels were a disgrace to civilisation. Many girls wasted time at picture theatres and many modern films depicting scenes of luxury made simple girls discontented with their lot.

Many girls fell into the mistake of placing the transient before the permanent and of expecting permanent happiness in pleasures that could never give it. Duty should be the chief aim in life, and dancing and similar amusements had no power to give lasting pleasure. It had been proved in every church that as soon as young people gave way to the craze for pleasure the spiritual life declined and the spiritual temperament was lowered appreciably. Social pleasures should be looked upon as a relaxation and one should give oneself to some self-denying form of service.

Another great danger facing girls was trying to ape men, especially in their weaknesses and vices. This type of girl drank cocktails and smoked cigarettes, on the grounds of equality with man in every phase of life. “I know it is often argued that if these things are good for a man they are good for a woman, but are they?” asked the preacher. In conclusion the preacher referred to the great opportunities which awaited the girls of to-day. They had before them chances in the professional and commercial worlds and in the service of the Church, and a wasted life would follow if these opportunities were missed.