PASSING NOTES.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 164, 23 September 1892, Page 2

PASSING NOTES .

[By Caution.] Football seems to be the all-absorbing topic this week, and many are the opinions given and conjectures made as to the capabilities of our rep. team. I hear it is the intention of those not chosen, to challenge tho reps to a friendly game on the following Saturday for a dinner. If this match comes off, it should be the final one this season. • * * * I am sure it must have been very gratifying to Rev. J. Blight on Sunday evening to sec such »n earnest response to his appeal to the young men to attend the special service, and I am equally sure every young man was benefited by what he heard. The reverend gentleman spoke strongly and earnestly, and it is to be hoped, with good effect. ‘‘No young man should lose his individuality.” To be merged into the ways of others, whether evil or apparently so, is to drift, and drifting is at all times a retrograde movement intensely evil in its results. His remarks on temperance and gambling were also to the point, and the whole address in general or detail was excellent. * * * # Mv last notes seem to have stirred the slumbering energy in the hand of an unknown writer, to whom I now endeavour to make my meaning clear. The question to the “ observance ” of Sabbath was not meant as a challenge to those who feel it their duty to attend church. Rather did I mean that, if

we simply rested or ceased to de any work, we observed the Sabbath. I, myself, have no sympathy with those who make their Sunday a day of pleasure ; but I believe it was first instituted for the sole purpose of rest. I have read, and think I fully understand, the fourth commandment, and still I do not feel it incumbent upon me to go to church to worship. We read—‘ The groves were God’s first temples,’ and surely the temple of nature is a sanctuary in itself. No doubt my critic misunderstood my remark, and thought I meant to wound church goers. However, such was not my intention. If he finds he gets religious rest and strength in church, he fulfils the commandment by gaing—but, if he goes to church to pray for those who are absent on account of the amount of bodily exercise taken during the week, he oversteps his duty. You may have religious strength and refreshment without geing to church ; and it seems to my mind to be a very bad state of affairs if only church goers will obtain ‘ that eternity of rest ’ promised to the faithful. » • * Many and eager are the enquiries as to the advent of the new steamer. Of late the mails have been arriving at all hours of the night, and the sooner a boat is put on by the interested people, i.e. the people of the river, the better it will be for themselves and the travelling public.