STAND UP !

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 631, 6 April 1929, Page 8

STAND UP !

THE QUIET CORNER.

(Written for THE SUN by the Rev. Charles Chandler. Assistant City Missioner.)

'INHERE'S nothing that a decent self-respecting man dislik.es so much *■ as being approached by some obsequious knave who ‘‘flatters, bows, and bends his knee,” instead of standing on his hind legs and speaking like a man. If it is not pleasing to man, who in many respects is so unworthy, how can it be pleasing unto God ? That’s the one thing about the English Litany that to many people is absolutely nauseating. The continual repetition of ‘‘mis-er-able sinner” savours of the worm. There is such a thing as cringing before the Omnipotent. 4s Canon Streeter remarks; “God is not a jealous potentate who either needs or likes to be placated by ostentatious grovelling.” The prophet Ezekiel once upon a time prostrated himself before God, when suddenly there came a voice which said: “Son of man, stand upon thy feet and I will speak to thee." For a man who professes to be made in the image of his Creator, that is surely the best method of approach. Incalculable harm has been done to the cause of religion in the eyes of the world by this continual strumming upon the note of selfdeprecation. We are not slaves beneath the lash of a tyrannical taskmaster, but sons before a loving Father. There’s nothing "pussy” about real religion. Even to approximate to the standards which have been set, it calls for every ounce of manliness, in the shape of courage and fortitude that a chap can muster up. Have an inward sense of our own unworthiness by all means, but don't let us insult our Creator who made us “a little lower than the angels.” by worming our way through life on that account. NEXT WEEK: PUBLIC OPINION