FLANNELS IN CHURCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 846, 14 December 1929, Page 10

FLANNELS IN CHURCH

CANON JAMES’S SERVICE TOMORROW “MY CRITICS WILL FOLLOW” Special to THE SUE WELLINGTON, Today. With no restriction on app Mr . ance in church in flannels, flimay summer frocks or plus-fours. Canon James will introduce his services for Sunday outdoor people tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. in St. Paul’s pro-Cathedral. QANON JAMES S announcement recently that tennis racket* golf-clubs, swimming costumes or bowls, could be left, at these Sunday morning services, in the charge of the verger, set a new development in church life for New Zealand, at least. Canon James is optimistic over the possibilities of his experiment. He does not attempt to judge what the response will be; he has made no appeal for attendance. The announcements in the church and ill the Press have been the extent of advertising the services. But the canon willsay this: “I believe that, before ten years are over, my critics or Weir successors will follow my example. I am sure the congregations will increase. "Religious people are conservatire and anything new will be criticised. One anxiety over this experiment 1 shall admit —has ttie most suitable time been chosen? Those who attend will give the safest guidance on this question. "Controversy w-as not unexpected. Fifty years ago dear old saints stamped out of Protestant churches because music was introduced. But I do regret the unfortunate tone of certain Auckland divines who hare seen fit to describe the extra service as ‘an insult to God,’ and potted piety ’ The time has come for Christian people to clarify their minds on the Sunday question. They will then be able more effectively to urge upon others the need for making the keeping of Sunday a question of conscience.” Many letters on his experiment have been received by Canon James from all corners of New Zealand. He has been impressed by the confirmation of his personal conviction that there are people who, while allowing themselves recreation out-of-doors on Sundays, recognise that Sundays are meant for spiritual renewal. They actually wanted to enter into communion with the Eternal. Canon James considers the judgment and the condemning of such people by the churches to be a calamity. Eyery thing should be done to welcome them to tho churches, he says.