THE SOUL'S AWAKENING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81839, 4 September 1906, Page 4

THE SOUL'S AWAKENING.

(To the Editor.) ir - Ihe soul of New Plymouth, it appear?, is awakening. In evidence whereat beh Id ! Mr l):i K h talking and shaking an impo.ent Kirtli in v:v pubic s lace ; his referenced bodyguard, to to spt ak, so cn.-ci usstricken that notiung aftords th'm re.iei s tve a Vesuviouslike erupti n of tireats to go and do likewise, while just ihe other morning "Enlightenment'' sheds a fifty solar effulge nee over your columns. All this is very interesting, of ccurse, but what wiii the practical results bo ? the purest talker will depait; the spasmodic disturbances in revei cnt consciences will subside. ''En.ightenmenr will go into eclipse, and New P ivmouth divining from the succeeding gloom that the night is come when no man need exert himself, wiil probably sink back en the pi.lows of featheryindifference and fold her hands for a little slumber and a little sleep. To the ants, ye sluggard ! In New Plymouth there are boxing associations, football grounds, gymnasiums, and of the kind what not. Very laudable institutions indeed ! For this is the body strengthened against disease and other ills of the flesh. But what of the mind of man hereabout ? Is not its welfare shamefully neglected r In all the tow ns 1 know of not a single place where men and women assemble for wholesome intellectual recreation. Bodies are developed and made lusty; minds are left in their first state of infantile weakness open lo the incursion of evil and mischievous thoughts; and yet it is readily admitted thai the mind should exercise supreme sway over the body. How inconsistent are mortals in these matters: It seems logical that to a body and mind highly and uniformly developed excesses of any kind wou'd be impossible, yet there is no systematic aim in this direction. And I may here observe that if foul tongues are open testimony to diseased minds there are abundance of these phenomona in New Plymouth. Now, Sir, would a young people's social club be out of the question in a large town like New Plymouth ? Surciy rooms could be acquired somewhere handy. Some philanthropist could be persuaded to present the institution with a billiard table, whilst no exception could be taken to another of like disposition offering a piano; lesser lights could bring offerings of furniture and good books, newspapers, magazines, draughs, chess, dominoes, whilst the young men and women themselves could keep the place in order and provide for working expenses by subscription. Debating, literary, draught, chess, glee, minstrel and other clubs could be evolved from within. Each to his taste and tolerant of the other's taste. The entire surroundings could be made homely, refined and beautiful. Strangers might be invited thither; it would even be a medium whereby men and women out of work and downhearted could be encouraged and given assistance to find employment.—l am. etc., RATH STERN.