REVOLT OF YOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1929, Page 10

REVOLT OF YOUTH

ACE AND WISDOM IGNORED

PROBLEMS FOR THE CHURCHES

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "Tho Evening Post."). DUNEDIN, This Day.' The Rev. James Burns, M.A., of London, who has been six months in the Dominion, and who will be returning Home shortly, speaking at the First Church, dealt with the various developments of to-day, which were not advantageous to the welfare of the church.

Mr. Burns spoke of the revolt of youth. The young people of to-day, he said, seemed to havo taken the bit between their teeth. No longer was it v case of the children obeying their parents. Rather did the parents have to obey the children. The young people now had no respect for the opinions of those older than themselves in both years and wisdom. Instead of yielding to the persuasion of older folk, they laughed their adviser out of court. All this was largely the result of the war, which had fostered an attitude akin to Bolshevism. i

Another trouble the Church was facing these days was the crane of the motor-car. In Britain the roads were a little better than those around Dunedin, in fact, it was hard to conceive anything more xjcrfeet than the roads at Home. As a consequenco the enormous increase in the numbers of pri-vately-owned cars meant that Sunday was no longer as it used to'be, even in Scotland. The people with cars went out into the country on a fino Sunday, and the countryside simply swarmed with them. New Zealand would have the same trouble in the immediate future. It was indeed a serious problem for the Christian Church.

INTEREST IN SPIRITUAL THINGS,

On the other hand, said the speaker, there had been a most extraordinary interest in religion during the last two years. The newspapers, always sensitive to what tho peoplo wanted, had been for a' long time featuring articles dealing with religious problems. , It was clear that the people were yearning for a definite understanding of spiritual things, and .of matters with a most profound bearing on life. Then there was the broadcasting. At Home the system was wellnigh perfect, and it was now a big factor in providing people with the best in mysic and education. What was more, there was something inspiring about the religious character of broadi casting in the Old Country. Kvory morning at 10 o'clock there was a short broadcast service. ■, It was one of the most beautiful things in the history of wireless. At the end of the day came the epilogue, which included a prayer, a hymn (sung by a perfect quartet), and a Bible reading. To listen to him who read this simple lesson was an inspiration. A benediction and the Lord's Prayer were also part of this service.