NATION-WIDE DRIFT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 121, 18 November 1936, Page 13

NATION-WIDE DRIFT

CALL TO CHURCHES

"NEED OF THIS AGE"

(My Telegraph—Press .Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Declaring that the Church as an institution was facing a nation-wide drift from her doors, the Rev. E. D. Patchett, in his inaugural address to the Methodist Synod, said the integrity of the Empire was broadbased on the character of a multitude of good men and women whose guiding principle was the will of God. To arrest that national drift was a patriotic as well as a religious duty.

• "Broadcasting promises to impinge more and more upon the established conventions," said Mr. Patchett. "It is admitted that the Church in this land has been slow to capture its fair share of radio for Christ. Acceptance of a cheap substitute of some of the elements of worship over the air instead of the complete fellowship of God's House will not do. Radio services cannot be' recognised by the Church as equivalent to the privilege and duty of public worship."

Mr. Patchett added that- the widespread need of this age was the spiritual awakening of a generation that had lost its way and was ready to listen to some prophetic voice calling it back to God. There was a call for the churches to get together to carry ideals into realities.