BROADCAST SERMONS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22240, 3 November 1937, Page 20

BROADCAST SERMONS

TO THE EDITOR OF TUB PBESS. Si r _it was gratifying to read that others beside myself deplore the action of the Director of Broadcasting in regard to controversial subjects such as Communism, and to learn that the sermon in question found favour amongst many in different walks of Hie. Your Communist correspondents found it necessary to foilow the advice of the old adage, "When you have no argument, abuse your opponent. But clear-thinking people are not misled by such tactics, and I would advise Mr Beck and "J.C" to read <if they will not accept works by non-Russians) a book recently published "Russia in Chains," by Ivan Soloneyitcha Russian by birth and education who was employed for some time by the Soviet Government as a publicity writer Unfortunately he came into conflict with the authorities, although .he took no p>art in politics; and realising that real freedom was now unknown in Rusoia, he sought to And abatement of botn Sunger and terror by attempting to escafe from this so-called "workers' paradise. The attempt was discovered; he was arrested by the Cheka, and sentenced to a labour camp fm eight years. His narrative is detailed and terrifying; and the exposure of the grandiose pretensions of the Soviet fegime is most striking and convincing This book is translated into at least 10 different languages and na» not to date been refuted by any ot the Communist prophets. Since Father Crowe quoted from genuine Communist sources, I do not understand how it can be said, in the words of Mr Beck, that he "recites the usual preposterous tales, distortions and half-truths." Unless of course what these Communist papers say are nothing but lies! An advertiser says the best he can about . his wares; and I am sure official Soviet papers are not going to defame ttte regime under which they flourish. So, if they distorted, it was to extol Communist tactics. ■. , .. I hope that soon the Director of Broadcasting will see fit to revoke hi* decision in regard to sermon material, and enable us all to know what answei the Church has for present troubles Men cry. "What is the Church doing about such an such a thing?" and since many who complain never go to church to find out, at least preachers should be given freedom to take their message in a plain and straightforward fashion to all by means of the radio. Otherwise, why broadcast church services and sermons at all? Yours, etc., J.lj.xi. November 2, 1937. [This correspondence is now closed. — Ed., The Press."]