NEW RELIGIOUS SECT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 261, 18 August 1930, Page 7

NEW RELIGIOUS SECT

PRAYERS TO STOP DANCE. FOR EARTHQUAKE OR RAlN(Special to the "Guardian.") AUCKLAND, August 17. There was both joy and sorrow at Waimauku when rain fell last Saturday night. A dance had been arranged at the local hall in aid of the Rev Jasper Calder's city mission, and it was necessary to postpone the glad event—a decision which caused many regrets in a district where dancing is popular. On the other hand, the wet night was not regretted by the members of the Waimauku Interdenominational Bible Class, who severely frown on dancing as a means of serving a good end. . Up to this point, the people of \Vaimauku had looked upon dances merely as something on which there might be a difference of opinion, but a schism developed when members of the Bible class announced that, on the night before the dance, they had gathered and praved for five hours that something might intervene. Prayer had also been offered for an earthquake to swallow up a hall where the owner runs a billiards table, but. so far the lads of the village still make the snooker balls click. The story one hears in Waimauku is that a few young men, all under the age of 21 years, have got together, and formed'a new religious sect. They style themselves ' Tnterdenominationals." The numerical strength of the band is not divulged. For some time there were murmurings about their activities. One woman in . the district complained bitterly that she had been communicated with by telephone and told that she belonged to the wrong sect, and that she should join forces with the new one. Meeting in Billiards Room.

Until recently nobody in Waimauku viewed seriously the activities of the new body; but when it was learned that there had been intense praying that something, preferably rain, should intervene so that the dance to raise money for the city mission could not be held, single men and married men in the district thought it was high time steps were taken to put an end to the interference. On Wednesday night, about 30 young men of Waimauku assembled in the billiards saloon to discuss ways and means. It was learned that a. prayer-meeting was being held that night in the village hall, so the men trooped along with the intention of having a community "sing" in opposition to the Bible class members. When it was found that the "Interdenominationals" had transferred their meeting to the Anglican Church (without authority, it is asserted), it was decided that no further action could be taken in the meantime. The secretary of the Hall Committee (Mr J. Hatton) has now been authorised to write to the secretary of the Bible Class (Mr R. Harris) refusing to hire the local hall to the "interdenominationals" on the ground that they are not a recognised religious body. This move was the upshot of a deputation of Waimauku .people who waited on the Hall Committee and asked them what they proposed to do in the matter.

Some of the susceptible women in Waimauku have become rather agitated because the first prayers for rain were apparently answered. Some of the women have been impressed and they have lingering fears that the earthquake that has been prayed for may visit Waimauku. Theyi have been assured by the men folk and also by a recognised minister of religion that their village is. not in the earthquake area. No Football or Tennis. There are many stories told in Waimauku to-day about the influence of the sect. One or two of the parents of the young men who have suddenly cast their old life aside for this new and intense religious bent are themselves worried. One young man, formerly a prominent local athlete, has given up football and all other sports; for it is said that the "Interdemoninationals," among other things, do not believe in football, tennis or dancing. Another young man is reputed to have said to the lo~cal butcher, "You may be better than me physically and, perhaps, mentally, but spiritually you are mud."

Reports of the affairs of the "Interdenominationals" reached Helensville and the Methodist minister of that district visited those of his flock who live in Waimauku.

When approached. 3 r esterday the secretary of the "Interdemoninationals" (Mr R. Harris) and a member (Mr R. Pawsen) said they were not prepared to discuss publicly the affairs of their Bible class; but they admitted that there was much truth in the stories going about, They said they were a sect apart and admitted that they had no real status. They maintained, however, that they would be recognised by. some churches although not by others. "We don't intend to-give you any truths to publish," they said. In. the meantime there is a good deal of speculation as to what will happen to the tennis club's fancy dress and masquerade ball, which is to be held shortly. The stone of opposition cast in the Waimauku pool has sent ripples into the adjoining districts where they are keen on dancing. Offers of reinforcements have been made.