A CIVIC LUNCHEON.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18682, 4 May 1926, Page 14

A CIVIC LUNCHEON.

THE COMING GENERATION. A civic luncheon was tendered to Dr. Mott yesterday afternoon in the Y.M.C.A., orer 200 business men and educationists being present. The Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer) presided. The Mayor introduced Dr. Mott, whom he described as one of the very »reat men of tjhe modern world. °m- wott expressed pleasure at the ldl -..ui gathering, ot men present—men ....oai m i-ccofeiiisea as having a wwe outlook, luey must all recognise, ho said that tiie new generation must be assisted in every way, and he quoted a remark ho had previously made in the course or liis tour, "If 1 rix my gaze on tin- generation now largely in power all ovoM.be worl/d I must confess to a (sinking heart, but if 1 gaze on the rising feneration my heart beats high. " The present generation had not, in his opinion, justified itself, and,the ris-iii-4 generation had a right to be keenly dissatisfied with the past. This new generation criticised the old order, but how much better it was that they should criticise than that they should bo apathetic. He considered this straightforward criticism and asking of questions a healthy sign. They must assist the mining leaders and instruct them, helping them in every possible •way to do that work they were able to do.' The present generation could help in many ways, by presenting a united front, undivided, and by having the humility to reorganise according to suggestions from the younger men By confronting the nrw generation with colossal undertakings the present generation could further aid them. It was a stern challenge and a hero<c appeal that would inspire Uie new generation to fight for world improvement. Finally, they must acquaint the new generation with the secret of the ages, the power to bo obtained through the living Christ. He consigned to tljeir care and farsightedness that generation which would, ho was sure, accomplish such work as the world had never Been before.

Mr W. Machin, chairman of. the Chamber of Commerce, moved a vote of thanks to the spaaker. Dr. Mott's message had been, to the older generation, a "bitter-sweot" one. They had to agree with him that they had not risen to their pari, as they might have done, but it waa, at the same time, gratifying to knoi/ that upon them was so much of the responsibility for making dear the pathway of the coming generation.

DANGERS OF APATHY. DEMANDS OF MODERN AGE. The CanterfMuy College Hall was entirely filled with students when Dr. Mott delivered an address last night on "The Demand of the Modern Age on the Universities." Dr. Chas. Chilton occupied th« chair. Dr. Mott described it as nothing short of an inspiration to look round on such a gathering of undergraduates. There had come on the seats of higher learning throughout tho world, of late, a demand for first-line men and women. These last years had been crowded with great iasues, and ho believed the next years would also be confronted with great ttfoblcms. The need for social betterment and religious progress was pressuig, and must be faced. If this demaniu was to be met, the undergraduate and graduate students must occupy themselves with more thorough study of ethical, scientific', and religious subjects. Tho other process was that of applying,, within the sphere of their chiily lives, that which their consciences indicated to them was the truth. There could be no greater enemy to a nation than to find the undergraduates unresponsive to their duties. He would rather visit a country where the students were-united against Christianity than a country where the students were apathetic. They must - realise- their grave responsibilities -to the world, particularly for social betterment. The consequences of not exercising and developing the uplifting things of life were no better than the:active fighting against such uplift. The sins of omission were as deadly as those of commission, and apathy and indifference must be fought. This deadening of the moral faculties was so prevalent that he always counselled students to examine themselves most carefully. The fact that they might not feel this disease—for it was a disease—creeping on, did not indicate that it was not there. They must bestir themselves continually to prevent the loss of interest and vitality. Jesus Christ had conie that we might r have life, and it was ohjy' through Him that they could discover and keep that vitality which arrested'death—for deatli was the loss of vitality.