OUR HYMNALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 June 1923, Page 4

OUR HYMNALS.

Modern hymnals came in for some severe criticism at the recent Church Congress in Christchurch. Many people will feel that much of this criticism was deserved, and that it applies in large measure to the hymnals of all the Churches. "Why is it," asked Matthew Arnold, in the course of one of his lectures at Oxford, as he held a copy of Palgrave's "Golden Treasury" in one hand and a copy of "Hymns Ancient ar.d Modern" in the other, "that considered as poetry one contains hardly anything that is bad, and the other hardly anything that is good?"' Very few hymns could put forward any claim For inclusion in even a second-rate anthology of poetry, while many are not merely bad when judged by the canons of poetical criticism, but are faulty in their theology and unreal in their sentiment. In a democratic a<re a hymn like "Sons of Labour ,, and lines like "The rich man in his castle," "nor born to any high estate," "an humble trade pursues,"' come with a jar. It was actually proposed to alter the lines, "His earthly parents now obeys In deep humility" into "In deep humility obeys a simple carpenter." but this was too much for some Anglicans. Dean Stanley doubted whether many healthy English schoolboys could sing with any sincerity that they lay awake at night weeping for Zion, and it may bo questioned whether many congregations feel such a keen desire to leave this present world as some of the hymns they sing represent them as doing. It is to be suspected that with many hymns the tune counts for more than the words. Hymns, however, must be judged by other standards than those which govern our judgment of secular lyrical poetry. In his later years Matthew Arnold confessed that the hymn "When I survey the wondrou3 Cross -, meant move to him than any secular poem had ever done; while Tennyson ranked ''Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," as above anything he had written himself. These two hymns express the twin purpose of all hymns—the sense of need and the praise of God. Hymns are valued for their associations, for their correspondence with some phase of spiritual experience, for the manner in which they interpret the thoughts that do often lie too deep for words. If it is the function of poetry to add sunshine to daylight, it is the function of hymns to add the light of God to the twilight in which we daily walk. A widely-circulated religious journal once took a vote of its readers as to which was the most popular hymn. It was found that "Just as I am , ' was easily first. Xor is the reason far to seok. It was well expressed by Canon Ainger when he said that much that was beautiful in literature appealed to the gay and the glad, but there were times when we were sick and sad and had need of something more than mere beauty of form. At times like these many of our beat-known hymns give expression, as not even Virgil has done, to that pain and weariness yet hope of better things, which has" been the heritage of man in all ages. And because they do this we can forgive much.

Much as has been done to make comfortable the animals kept in captivity at, the Auckland Zoo, there is a feeling that some of the inmates have been overlooked, and an effort is now on foot to have the matter remedied. Kxeeption is taken to the inadequate accommodation given to the lonely Eskimo dog that came from the Shackleton pack. Several humane people are now endeavouring to have a larger space set apart for the dog. For an ordinary dog the space alloted would perhaps be enoush, but for an animal of the habits of the Eskimo variety it is urged something allowing more freedom should be provided. The Auckland Racing Club's Great Northern Steeplechase meeting was opened at Ellerslie on Saturday, when there was a large attendance, which included their Excellencies Lord and Lady Jellicoe. The course was very heavy, but the racing was interesting, the big event of the day, the Great Northern Hurdles, being won by the Hawke's Bay owned Kohu. in somewhat easy fashion. During the running of the Hunters' Hurdle Race, the Waikato owned Mia Dolce was staked badly and died within an hour of reaching her stables. During the afternoon the sum of £70,282 was passed through the machine as against £75,326 for the corresponding day last year, a decrease of £5044. An open season for the trapping of opossums has boon declared by the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, extending from July 2to August 11. A big demand is expected for opossum skins this season, as furriers and export buyers are reported to be inquiring eagerly already. It is stated that fur garments are likely to be very fashionable this season. On Saturday afternoon the Mayor of Devonport, carrying out the policy he enunciated when he took office of letting the ratepayers know what the council is doing, took the presidents of the various ratepayers' associations in the borough round in a car to sec the works which were contemplated. Much interest was shown in the improvements which are in hand, and which will extend over a considerable period. It was found that some of the old-time engineering schemes were now out of date and would have to be altered to meet modern needs. The Mayor stated that when many of the works in hand had progressed a little more it was his intention, with the sanction of the council, to call a meeting of ratepayers, at which much information would be given why rates had been raised, and how they were trying to deal with council affairs from a business standpoint. He saw a very busy time ahead, and lie looked forward to a very strenuous term of office. Much leeway had to be made up in the borough, and the only way to do was to tackle their many problems with a will. Let in the light of publicity on all public questions was his motto, because he believed that therein lay tho secret of co-operation and progress. People were already showing an Increased interest in the public affairs of the borough, and it was always a good healthy sign when such was the case. *"I do not remember seeing a city co filthy as I found the capital that first day in Korea," declared Commissioner Hoggard, territorial commander of the Salvation Army, during the course of a lecture at Gisbornc. Outside every house were piles of filth. With the tropical sun pouring down the smell was one which he could not describe. Doctors would describe it as an "obnoxious effluvia," but where he (the speaker) was born, in Yorkshire it would be called "a terrible stink." •In the course of an address at the Missionary Exhibition at the Town Hall in Wellington. Bishop Gilbert White, of Australia, spoke of some of the good qualities of the people of other countries represented by the courts in the hall. "Have we nothing to learn from China, for instance? What about Chinese respect and reverenie for their parents?" he asked. "I think any Chinaman would probably rather die of shame than allow his parents to be supported by an old-age pension." Proceeding, he dealt with the honesty of the Chinese. He said he had seen a great deal of the Chinese in the Far North of Australia. "Every Chinaman," he added, "pays his debts on Xew Year's Day, even if he has to go into debt at a higher rate of interest in order to pay them. Can we say that much, for ourselves , ;" Bishop White related several striking instances of the honesty of Chinese in paying their debts. He praised the chivalry, patriotism, and sobriety of the Japanese. He also mentioned some of the good qualities of the Hindus, the Melanesians, and even put in a good word for the Australian aboriginal—relating in proof of his statement an instance of a native who saved the life of a white policeman who would have died of thirst on a journey in a desert region if it had not been for the self-sacrifice and devotion of an aboriginal who was with him. The last tunnel at Mangahao works was pierced early on Satiirday morning, says a Press Association telegram. Work has now extended in all for two and a half miles. About seventy chains have already been lined behind the boring. Many young girls liave acquired the habit of.visiting the waterfront at certain hours of the day, especially when large vessels are at the wharves (says the Dunedin "Star"). This has been more noticeable of late, and is engaging the attention of the Harbour Board authorities, who intend to take some eteps for the safety of these girls. Dunedin ie no worse than any other port in this respect, as there is* always a fascination about shipping or uniforms and brass buttons to a certain type of female mind. In connection with the recommendations made at the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and" Children that women patrols should be again appointed, it is understood that so far as the wharves are concerned this matter is already having the attention of the waterside workers, many of whom are much concerned about the number of young girls they see around the wharves during the lunch hour, especially when deep-sea vessels are in port. The harbourmaster is also interesting himself in the matter, and has given instructions to the piermaster to inform young girls seen about the wharves that they must leave at once. Mr. J. B. Mcrritt, the well-known poultry expert of Chrietchurch and secretary of the Now Zealand I'oultry Assofiation, intends visiting Europe and America in order to take part in several important congresses to be held early next year. He hns received an invitation to participate in the international Poultry Congress at Barcelona, in Spain. The Spanish Government will later act as host to the delegates and will entertain them at Madrid and other points of the country. In England Mr. Merritt will address a meeting of the poultry conference to be held in connection with the Empire j exhibition, and will devote some of his J time whilst there to establishing ar- ! rnngements for the permanent export of eggs from the Dominion. Later he purposes putting in some time at the Cornel University, New York.

On the eastern side of Northcote Point is a valuable small beach known as the "Goldhole." Access to this is provided from Princes Street by leasing an education reserve, with a chain frontage, for road purposes. This lease was renewed for a further-twenty-one years some three years ago. during the Mayoralty of Mr. A. E. Greenslade. Lately the ground on which were formed the steps leading to the beach has fretted away, and residents in the vicinity have appealed to tlie Borough Council to repair the damage. The Xorthcote Borough Council, however, decided, on the motion of Messrs. W. Kinley and 0. R. Brinsden to defer action for six months, us it was felt that better work could be effected in the summer months, an amendment by Messrs. F. 0. Devlin and A. Golden, "that the pathway be temporarily made fit for traffic at a cost limited to £5 being defeated. In the meantime this approach to the beach is to be labelled '■dangerous," and people will negotiate it at their own risk. It is proposed that railway enginemen, firemen and guards shall poll a vote on the question of a 4S hours' working week, as there is said to be too much diversity of opinion among them on this matter. It was pointed out in the "Star" some weeks ago that the bronze figure for the Devonport War Memorial, which had been cast in London and then brought, out to the Dominion by one of the shipping companies free of all costs, and then stored in one of the Harbour Board sheds, also free of all charges, was causing a good deal of concern to the subscribers to the fund. It was thought that a more decided step should be taken with regard to getting the base for the memorial erected on the chosen spot, so that the whole design might be permanently put up to fulfil its purpose of perpetuating the memory of the Devouport boys who fell in the war, especially as the project was not a very big one,- and four years had elapsed since the first public meeting was held inaugurating the movement. A meeting was held recently, when the newly-elected Mayor of Devonport was appointed chairman of the Memorial Committee. A statement was made that the Borough Council had agreed to contribute £250 to the memorial fund, which the treasurer's statement showed to be up to the present £1163, and that there were further promises of about £130, or a total, with the council's donation, of £1543, which, considering the form the memorial has taken, should be about sufficient to complete it. It is hoped that now no time will be lost in getting the figure put into position. A gramophone record imported from America by a private individual and bearing a trade device substantially identical with the design of a company whose trade mark is protected in New Zealand, is not liable to forfeiture by the Customs Department previded the country of origin is clearly indicated thereon. Such was the effect of a reserved judgment delivered by Mr. K. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at Wellington on Thursday. The typical Australian is said to be an inveterate gambler. An English traveller recently professed to believe that he expected, when it cajne to his turn to knock at the gates of Paradise, to find at least two Australians hovering in the precincts betting on his chances. There is nothing, it is claimed, that escapes the native sports love of a bet. Senator George Fairbairn, however, is not one ot those who wholly believe this. Presenting tho coveted Head of the River (Fairbairn) Cup to Melbourne Grammar School Mr. Fairbairn spoke appreciatively of the faci! that the contest wae rowed year after year for the glory of the sport and the honour of the public schools of Victoria. There is no money attached to it, he said. Whereat several hundred promising college youths, gathered below the balcony of the M.U.BjC. boat shed, laughed boisterously. The senator put An hi 3 thinking cap for a moment, .and, light dawning upon him, he added, humorously, "Well, T've never had anything on it." ,r What?" yelled the doubting Thomases, with frank derision. Whereupon he thought a moment again, and added, with a burst of reflective laughter, "Well, very little, anyway." At this belated and honest effort of memory college youth broke into a reverberating roar of appreciation. Can it conceivably be that some of our college youths" had " 'arf a dollar" on Saturday's event'Impossible! Perish the thought.