The ODD ANGLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 4

The ODD ANGLE

(By MacCLURE)

• WHAT I THINK

I cannot recollect ever reading such a truly damning indictment of our womanhood than that contained in the article written by "a young student in the Methodist ministry," published in the Methodist Times and reprinted in last Saturday's Star. The article written by this "young student" tells a story of such utter depravity (allegedly) witnessed by him and "three Methodist ministers" that one is left wondering quite a lot of things — the first of which is, naturally, where has the Church been all these years; and, secondly, how does it come about that our young ones find nothing in the modern churches to attract them there, so that they turn to night clubs to get spmething out of life? My own memories of Church days and Bible study classes enable me to see eye to eye with our healthy youngsters. But—before I go any further, let me say right here—brutally frank if you like—l do not believe the statements made by our "young student." I regard them as a form of hysteria induced by a burning zeal to "smite with the sword of the Lord—to awaken this modern Sodom and Gomorrah to the wrath of the Lord," etc., etc. Personally I would advise the writer to relax. He's quite evidently been overdoing it. And seeing things. That's what I think about the whole business. • AND THEN TO THE STATION For fourteen consecutive years now I have lived in the very heart of this huge, wicked city. For seven of these years, like other residents of "the quarter," I have seen many things—been to many places—could point oat business places which trade under an alias. I have been, often, to such places as our "young student" studied in that other evening. But neither I nor those like me, sinful and unashamed, ever saw anything like he saw. Nor do we expect to! A certain percentage of our young women drink, certainly. A certain percentage of them "carry on," true enough. And a certain number of night clubs are, well, on the rough side. I've seen liquor being carried in in parcels. I've seen intoxicated "ladies" being carried out, sure. But I've been to pubs before now for special brands of whisky for at least one parson. It's a funny old world and a sinful one, but—that young student certainly saw things—or thought he did—of which ic is all very well to write anonymously but takes far more be-j lieving, anc; more imagination than I've got. Tha stuff he wicte is a gross libs!, ro my way of thinking, on our womenfolk. And it is definitely unchristian. Luckily, it cuts very little ice with the thousands of decent men and women who go to night clubs and conduct themselves admirably—and don't go round to the police station afterwards to pimp on tne proprietor. • A PEW SUGGESTED READINGS I said this conducting of a secret service investigation — a pimping expedition would be a better name for it — was unchristian. I mean just that. And I'm sure of the fact. Pick up Cruden's Concordance, right now — just to oblige me. Do you see any New Testament references — any references or criticisms by Jesus Himself, to what went on in His time? Of course you don't, because I made sure you wouldn't when I put it to you. Jesus spoke of Mary Magdalene not as — well, not in the way "Young Student" did. He never dragged that up at all. His rebuke to those who did should have been a model for "Young Student" and those "Three Methodist Ministers," who certainly showed method in getting into those (alleged) sinks of iniquity. In John viii., 3 there is something "Young Student" should read. It concerns a woman caught in adultery. Listen to Moffat's translation: "Jesus stooped down and He began to write with His finger on the ground; but as they persisted with their question (of what to do with her) he raised Himself and said to them: 'Let the innocent among you throw the first stone at her.'" You know the rest of that story. Her accusers faded away. The road metal remained undisturbed. Jesus was left alone with the woman. Looking up, He said to her: "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said: "No one. Sir." Jesus said: "Neither do I. Be off and never sin again." Luke xviii., 9 to 14 contains a parable our Young Student should also read. It concerns a Pharisee who "thanked God he was not as other men." Jesus told this parable to certain people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. And Jesus said to this Pharisee: "For every man that exalteth himself shall be abased."