TRAVEL TALK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 40, 26 November 1937, Page 4

TRAVEL TALK.

REV. L. A. NORTH’S EXPERIENCES IMPRESSIONS OF ENGLAND. Incidents and impressions of his eight months’ tour of Elngland and the Continent were related by the Rev. L. A. North, of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch, to a good attendance' at the Ashburton Baptist Church last evening. The speaker said he found people very ignorant of New Zealand, but those who did know it spoke of it in the highest terms. His main impressions of 'London were its staggering size, the fine type of young business man and his high sense of honour. He visited many places of interest, including art galleries, museums, tlTe House of .Commons, and many others. In London every Wednesday a mid-day service is held, and the Church is crowded, but not so or. Sunday. There is at the heart of Englishmen, lie said, a real sense of religion. They preserve jealously their old churches, which are of particular interest and beauty, but comparatively few attend. Evensong held in St. Paul’s Cathedral, with its full choir and majestic building, is an inspiration, but the disappointment is that so few attend. He also made mention of the sacredness of the Coronation services.

Leaving London for the Continent on Bank Holiday week-end, he said, gives some idea of the thousands of people travelling.. Whilst in Paris, it was a real interest to visit the International Exhibition held there. In Switzerland, he continued, the fine type of people, the cleanliness and beauty of the land are noteworthy. In Zurich over 1500 young people representing 35 countries were met at the Baptist Congress. He himself spoke at these meetings, and it was interesting to note that all he messages were given in English and German, which are the official languages. Palestine was the climax of the trip, as he visited so many places known by word and picture in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and Samaria. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. L. P. Bryan. Songs were rendered by Miss M. White and Mr J. Lewis. Mr Yeoman expressed thanks and appreciation to Mr North.