CORRESPONDENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19719, 9 December 1926, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

CHRISTMAS IN PRISON CAMPS (To The Editor). Sir, —Will you be so kind as to allow me to appeal to your readers for contributions toward a Christmas treat for the prisoners at Waikune and Tokaanu Prison Camps. Last Christmas the appeal was limited to this district and the parcels (96 in number) sent only to the Waikune Camp, but this year it is hoped to include the Tokaanu Camps so a wide appeal is necessary. ! These camps arc in isolated positions and, unlike the gaols in the larger centres, are quite neglected at Christmas time; a little cheer and kindness shown at this season will help to make their lot brighter and is most deeply appreciated by the men. Contributions must | reach me before December 18 to enable the committee to allocate the parcels.—l am, etc.. W. 11. NICHOLAS, The- Manse, Ohakune. (The' “ Chronicle” will gladly take charge of donations for this Christmas I fund and send them on to Mr. Nicholas. Gifts should reach the ‘ ( Chronicle’ ’ office before December 18. —Ed. ‘ ‘ Chronicle.’ ’) THE CHURCH AND WIRELESS (To the Editor). Sir, —As wireless has como to stay, permit me to point out one of its limitations for the purpose of making clear what should be the attitude of the true Christian towards it. I freely admit the great value of the wireless, and the delight it gives, but my purpose is to stress the point that the wireless can never take the place of churchgoing without serious spiritual harm to the persons concerned. My reason for saying this is based on the very nature of the church. The church is not simply an auditorium or a concert chamber; it is more nearly a meeting place for receiving instructions for work. Christ by word and example exhorted to regular public worship, and no true follower of His, therefore, can neglect public worship, but worship with Him was the prelude to service. We hear Him say, "Do good, love your enemies, seek and save them that are lost, feed the hungry, clothe the naked; visit the prisoner, and the sick; right wrong,” and more to the same effect.

It is, of course, possible in a limited degree, to do some of these things through hearing stirring addresses over the wireless; but only in a limited degree, because the major part of effort to feed the poor and clothe the naked, and even to assist the prisoner to-day is not done by feeble private effort, but in the strong, united endeavour of Christian people which results in the establishment of an orphanage, home, or prison-gate refuge. Despite all argument to the contrary, and all adverse criticism, it is invariably church people who build and run these institutions. (I include the Salvation Army as one among many). Similarly seeking and saving them that are lost implies not merely an impulse aroused in hearing the wireless, but a definite allying of oneself to a powerful organisation able to train, equip, and support missionaries in foreign lands. The very nature and complexity of this labour, under modern conditions, precludes it being done except by united, organised effort. Take again the central idea in a church service—worship. Will anyone seriously maintain that this end is equally well served listening-in at the wireless as it is in the fellowship of kindred minds meeting in the reverent atmosphere of a Christian church? There cannot possibly be that support, that inspiration, that comes of fellowship and personal touch with fellowbelievers, even with the best wireless message.

Then, too, nothing practical comes of this habit of listening-in. The average city and suburban church is a hive of humanitarian activities. Its announcements teem with meetings for the help of the poor, the relief of unemployment, the saivation of the lost, the wider circulation of the Bible, and for every good cause. On the wireless these things are missing. The intimations mean nothing to the listener-in because they relate to another and distant place. On the other hand, in the local church they are intimate and personal; they cal la man to a work among his fellowmen for Christ’s sake and the Gospel’s. All this practical expression of Christianity is missed where the habit of listening-in is allowed to take the place of church-going. Let me repeat, I am not against the wireless as wireless. Rightly used it is a source of great joy, education, and amusement. My point is that the wireless can never take the place of the local church service without doing incalculable harm. Dr. F. B. Meyer has pointed out that there is nothing worse than for a person’s good emotions to be aroused and then for the whole matter to end in smoke. Such emotion-arousing ends in a sickly sentimentalism that destroys all initiative for good. It were a thousandtimes better that the emotions -were never aroused, if there were to be no corresponding outlet in definite activity. The church provides this, the wireless does not. The crux of the matter is that the wireless gives people the privileges of religion—fine preaching, music and singing—without its responsibilities. The responsibility must always balance the privilege, otherwise there is moral and spiritual ruin. Therefore, I would say, if there are Christians who are deluding themselves and their friends into thinking they are pleasing God by listening to the wireless instead of going to church —it can’t be done. Christ calls us to a work; wo are saved to serve. It may be very nice listening in a comfortable cushioned seat to a wireless service, and after church there is no harm in that, but to allow it to take the place of church is not Christianity. It is only pandering to the case-loving lower man, instead of manfully following Him who said, ‘'lf a man would be My disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ” —I am, etc., A MINISTER. Wanganui, December 8, 1926.