CONDITIONS ON THE WEST COAST

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 31, 31 October 1929, Page 13

CONDITIONS ON THE WEST COAST

Sir, —I have read with deep interest the letters appearing in your columns on the above subject, including Messrs. O’Brien and Holland’s spirited defence. 1 have waited patiently before taking my pen in hand, for I am loath to hurt the sensibilities of a kind-hearted and generous people. But the truth must be told, and these people love plain talk. Ido not know much about Mr. . O'Brien’s electorate, so that what I have to say will refei- more to the northern end of Mr. Holland’s district.

, I don’t think that even Mr. Holland will deny that Atheism is rife in some of these small towns, and that in at least one an Atheist Sunday School has been started. Nor would he dare to say that Sunday picture shows have not militated against church attendance. In my opinion, however, Sabbath desecration is no worse there than in many other parts of the Dominion. As far back as March 9 last, in an open letter to the miners (vide Westport “News”), I ended up as follows: “Last, but not least, I do not hesitate to tell some of you (please note the word “some”), there are two things es‘sential for your peace, prosperity,, and happiness':—“(l) Pull down your Red Ensign and put in its place the grand old Union Jack. Away with Russia and the Red International! Send your would-be-saviours and martyrs to Tierra-del-Fuego. (2) Shut up your Sunday pictures and fill your churches. In other words, ‘get back to God.’ To Him you owe everything, even your very breath. The foundation of human happiness is built on a belief in God.”

■ This was written long before the Rev. Gilbert visited the Coast, and hence previous to the beginning of this controversy.

If. Christ were to come to this fair Dominion of ours, methiuks, it is not to the fine city churches He would first go, though surely He would find plenty to do there I No I I can imagine that He would land on a hill-top such as Denniston, and gathering the people together, speak to them gently and kindly, repeating to them the sweet Story of Old, and calling them to Repentance. Then, followed by a crowd,. I, can see Him wending His way down, the zig-zag road to Waimangaroa, or to Granity, up the steep road again to Millerton, oh over the plateau to Stockton, down the track to Seddonville, and round the seashore to Karamea. In all these places He would be listened to with reverence—yes. with reverence, for these people have hearts and. human feelings and sympathies, just as the people in His day had. . What the churches need to do is to send on; evangelist, a man filled with the very Spirit of God, who by his spiritual vision, fervid oratory, and clear presentation of the. Gospel and love of Christ, will win the hearts of these people and, like Wesley, cause tears to eut channels down their dust-stained faces.

_• Is there to be found in our fair Dominion one like the elderly preacher (he was only 82) described in the “Uncertain Trumpet” (Hutchinson) who said in effect: “I have suddenly realised that it is high time I did turn out again and do a job of work for Jesus Christ. His sake. Things are going too easily here; I have oiled the wheels too well, got the engine running too perfectly. There is nothing for me to do here now—nothing but look complacently on and think what a fine fellow I am and how well I have organised everything, and grow fat and soft thinking of it. Wherefore, 'Out fiian! 1 says Ito myself. 'Gird up your loins, take up your carpet bag and goloshes and umbrella (where better than on-the Coast'/), chuck ybur soft job and good bed and nice meals and regular income, and get out where you’ve got nowhere to go, and where nobody wants you, and do something! Get a move on, man! Leave the light ships you have anchored here, and go out and do a bit of rescuing, where folks, young folks, are drowning fast, and where you have got to take your coat off and jump and swim for it Oh, man! The old dog on a new trail making the devil skip in a new place, showing him up and hunting him down, and keeping him on the run—at my time of life!” -

If such a man can be found, let the churches send him. These people will listen to him, and he will reach their hearts. And those who are- loyally holding “God’s forts” down there (all honour to them!) will welcome a revival, rejoice to see the churches filled once again, and Sunday pictures will be abandoned for “when the spirit comes on deck, the flesh falls into line.” Meanwhile let the church stand solidly behind its servants in these outposts, see that they are decently housed and adequately paid, and should a grant be needed for any reasonable purpose, send it with alacrity and not with reluctance. Let the church always remember them in its prayers and meditations, and make them feel that they have a tower of strength behind them in their arduous tasks.

If the churches will do these things, then this controversy will not have been waged in vain. But alas! is the Coast the only place in our fair land needing spiritual revival?—l am, etc., ROBERT, IRWIN. Wanganui, October 26.