SOCIETY AND RELIGION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17938, 5 December 1923, Page 13

SOCIETY AND RELIGION.

LIVING FOR PLEASURE. "The amtition of society to-day is to get power, position, reputation, and influence. These things are sought, after for self-gratification." Dr. Hay, Bishop of Tasmania, who preached in St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney,, on Sunday, November 25th, expressed this view (according to tho '■Daily Guardian"). People, he eaid, went to Ohurcli and regularly recited from tho Creed "I believe in Jesus Christ." But the real question was—did they? "This allegedly Christian everyday life of ours," Dir. IJay went on, "is not Christian in the true sense of the term. That might be a bold thing to say, but is true. "A well-known man recently said of England—and what is said of England can be said of Australia—that she was 'Christian in name but Pagan in reality.' "The tradition of to-day,' no continued, "what is itP We condemn drunkenness and gambling, yet these are child sins compared with {he parent sin—forgetfulness of God," People of the present age were, the preacher declared, drifting, and there would be serious consequences to the nation. "A sliort time ago," he said, "we celebrated tha Armistioe, and I say it was, in view of tho way in which the world has sinoe been living, a travesty. "There seems to T?e a.break-up in modern society. People are losing the instinct to worship, and are simply living for the pies/ires of life."