SUNDAY COLUMN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 136, 20 March 1948, Page 3

SUNDAY COLUMN

Shortcuts and Roundabouts

(CONDUCTED BY THE ASHBURTON MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION).

“Defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined £lO, with costs. His licence was suspended for six months. “The Chairman of the Bench pointed out that if traffic at roundabouts was to remain safe, the ‘One Way’ rule must be scrupulously observed. The circular route might he longer, but it is at least safer.”

Thus, in newspaper terms, we read of what happened to a motorist who, in his great haste to arrive at his destination, ignored the “One Way Only” signs and took the risky, prohibited, but more direct, route. During his six months of being taken about by other people who kept the rule of the road, he no doubt had time •to ponder on the phrase, “The shortest way there, is the longest way round.”

So often is this so. It is true that the speed of life has been enormously accelerated. To “go places” to get plenty of “kicks out of life” is now among the chief pursuits of many people. But the law remains the same. High-speed modern life is demonstrating hourly in tragedy and disillusion that short cuts are often long ways round. It may be very well for sportsmen to shout applause for the racing motorist who takes the corner at a thrilling, reckless angle; spinning round on a* skid to the fringe of death. Track drivers must be men who can “take a chance.” Spectators must be provided with their full quota of thrills. But the fringe breaks. The cheers change into “ohs!” The prize is removed for ever. More Dangerous Cuts The man who takes “short cuts” when his character, or the happiness ol another person is involved, will find that the way is ultimately tragic. In prison at this moment is a man who set out to make money. At first he started cautiously. The'profits came slow, hut sure. Then the possibilities as he climbed to fortune intoxicated him. 1 He wanted wealth and position quickly. He began to take risks.

At first the returns were commensurate with the risks ho took. He became a wealthy man; he did things in a big way; he grew more and more confident. Presently he was one of the most famous men in his country. He was photographed, lauded, and esteemed. . His short cut had been highly successful. Then the crash came. He fell, and thousands of widows and aged people who had trusted him were engulfed in the disaster. Pursued half-way round the world, lie was caught and sentenced. The last photograph of him shows his entry through the gates of the prison to which liis “short cut” lmd led him.

Tn the end, that is what must happen to all who take “short cuts” of a similar nature. it is the law of life that Ihose who would he safe must keep to the right way. The rules must be observed.

Ignoring the Signs

. Man often tries to ignore the law. He is doing it with the Sabbath today—forgetting the need for God in his life, and God’s quiet, re-creating time.

Yet there are people who are driving wide and fast past the warning—- “ Slow: One Way Only”— l signals that have been a protection for centuries. Their place is empty at church, and the noise of tlieir rushing motors drowns the. voice of the preacher at the street-corner.

,This craz’e for a short, and merry life defeats its own end. Like a supercharged engine, driven furiously at high speed, the hectic race ceases abruptly in a cloud of smoke.

Doctors all over the world are concerned at the large number of victims of neurasthenia, thousands of -whom are suffering through the fast pace at which modern life is lived. Fear of boredom is one of the signs of our times.

There are no “gong police” to pull up the moral transgressor, but the “Slop!” ultimatum is bound to come. Commandments, church bells, Bibles, moral codes, may brake and steady the traveller, but the journey will, at least, be safe. It is when, in a craze for going faster, necessary restrictions are ignored, that catastrophe results.

The Bible gives a perfect illustration of what happens~To people who take dangerous short cuts. A man wanted to he rich, and bent all his powers to that end. He worked so hard that he had not time to pray. Power came and with it, success. Fortune smiled on his triumphal progress. But still he went on, making plans for yet greater conquests. He cared nothing for rules, for safety. One night he mused in luxury on his business prospects and his plans for extension. “I will do this and that,” he said. Then, as he schemed about the promise of to-morrow, the Angel of. Death touched him on the shoulder, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall he required of thee.” His quick way to success was not of much use to him then.