COUNTRY’S MORAL TONE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1922, Page 6

COUNTRY’S MORAL TONE.

RjirOßT TO THE SYNOD. ’\ “GRAVE REASONS FOR DISQUIET.” “YEARNING FOR BETTER THINGS.” Comments upon the moral condition of the community were contained in a report of the sessional committee on social services presented to the Anglican General Synod by Bishop Sedgwick, of Waiapu. at Auckland this week. “That there are grave reasons for disquiet none can doubt,” stated the report, “and those who have the best opportunity of judging are. foremost in warning us that all is not well with our children and young people. Your committee gratefully recognises that on all hands there are signs of yearning for 'better things, and a growing realisation of the need for a higher standard and a better spirit in the community. Such movements as the Young Citizens’ League, Citizens’ Prayer Meeting, and Rotary Clubs show how widespread is the desire to bring Christian principles to bear upon our common life, and deserve the grateful recognition of all good citizens.” SANCTIFYING PRIMITIVE INSTINCTS. While repressive measures were necessary and to some extent effective, proceeded the report, the ultimate cure of these evils was the outpouring of the ■Spirit of God upon the Church and upon the world. The committee therefore suggested that the synod should initiate a movement of earnest prayer in every parish. It was felt that there was a need for a reform in the presentation of Christianity. They needed an enlightened view of Sunday observance, which, while cmpliasiaing the duty and the joy of worship, would recognise reasonable demands for recreation on the weekly day of rest. Again, the cause of purity would be advanced by more definite teaching about the reverence due to the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, and about the sacredness of all bodily functions as God’s provision for the carrying out of His Own purposes. It had also to be admitted that many of the things which they deplored were, the mistaken expression of the God-given instinct for beauty and romance. The committee called upon the clergy, teachers, and other leaders of the Church to emphasise these points, and to seek not so much to repress, but rather to sanctify the primitive instincts of humanity. Bishop Sedgwick gave notice to move: “That this synod records its conviction that, while repressive measures have their place in checking the social evils of the day, the effective remedy must be positive and spiritual, and therefore calls upon churchpeople to support every effort which strives after a higher moral, intellectual, and spiritual standard in the life of the nation, and to pray daily that the Holy Spirit may sanctify the souls and bodies of the people of this Dominion.”

Later in the day Mr. L. D. Ritchie, of Dunedin, moved that the executive of the Young Citizens’ League be congratulated upon its effort to create and maintain a proper moral tone and outlook among the young people of the Dominion, and that all Churchpeople be called upon to take what part they could in the work of the league and similar institutions. BENEFICIAL MOVEMENTS. Mr. Ritchie laid stress on the need for preventive measures as against curative measures. He did not think that the condition of young people was so utterly bad as was depicted in some quarters. It was true, however, that some forms of modern recreation must tend to a deterioration of church-going and must lead to a loosening of the inoral fibre. The speaker referred with admiration to such movements as the boy scouts, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., the juvenile branches of friendly societies, and the recreation clubs connected with the churches. If the Church could raise the necessary money, 'he believed there was an opening in every city for a speciallyappointed clergyman to watch over the 1 interests of the young people. He referred to the decision reached by the synod that day, admitting women to all the councils of the Church, and expressed the hope that women would take advantage of the new privilege to organise a movement among girls. Bishop Averill suggested that the amendment should include all bodies doing social work’ among young people. In addition to the organisation mentioned by the mover, he referred in appreciative terms to the work of the Girls’ Friendly Society, the Mothers’ Union, and the Girl Peace Scouts. It was eventually decided to refer the motion to the sessional committee on social services for incoropration in its recommendatins.