SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 191, 13 August 1919, Page 9

SUNDAY CONCERTS.

(To tbe Editor.) 'Sir', —\y c Christians look upon the Lord's Day as a day of rest from the ordinary duties of life, not a day of idle- ■ ness, not a day upon which we feel time to weigh upon us, so that our souls cry out for occupation, but a day of study, meditation, exhortation, instruction, and praise. Is our bread filled with no nourishment for this section who ask for concerts'; These people really want teachers. And it is here that society fails in its duty towards them. Our business and professional men fail here in a duty they owe to the masses of mankind. How many of 6ueh spend their hours of leisure selfishly? How few give—give freely—of the stores of knowledge they have acquired that the masses may think well, feel well, and act well? In Canada and the United States what is called the " Forum" movement is supplying the need felt by those who ask for Sunday concerts. I have attended such meetings. The programme is somewhat as follows: — Hymns well known and universally loved (including the National Anthem) ; solos, vocal and instrumental: a prayer from a collection specially written for the Forum meetings: an address by one who submits to be questioned at the conclusion of his speech. Such men as University professors, doctors, lawyers, poets, mayors, clergymen, and so on, give the addresses. The best men the community can put forward to help the. men and women who ask for help. This is a religious duty for our Christian citizens, a real ""Home Mission." Sunday concerts, if permitted, will but pass the time away, the valuable time, the never-re-turning time, the opportunity. Mho will volunteer to set up a citizens' committee of business, professional, religious men to render the service to the people who ask? The people will know their food when it is given to them.—l am, etc., ROBERT STRONG.