“A DIRE NEED”

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1928, Page 1

“A DIRE NEED”

FOR, RELIGIOUS REVIVAL

.MET II ODIST AI IN fSTGR ALAR M ED

AUCKLAND, Nov. 21. “Unless the drift of the people from organised religion and the excesses of civilisation can he arrested, there is a grave danger that they will engender barbarism.” said the Rev. AY. J. Elliott itt his presidential address to the Auckland District Synod of the Methodist Church to-day. During the recent election campaign many of the speakers had asserted that the dire need was the development of the Dominion. The greatest need was to develop New Zealanders. “We need only to cite the city of Auckland as an example, where in a population of some 180,000 barely more than 17,000 people are in fellowship with the Church or comprise the attendants at public worship week by week.” said Air Elliott. “Unless the drift from organised religion and the excesses of our civilisation can bo arrested there is a grate danger that they will engender barbarism. Tbe same gangrene which sapped the vitality of Rome is subtly working now. and i he only antiseptic for it. must he faithfully used. This sovereign remedy Is not in science, education, philosophy, >r in evil improved environment; it is .J'csus Christ. Saviour of the race.” The true function of the Church to4ay, lie added, teas to bring people to i keener .sense of G-d to’ simplify the teligiotis system to Guild up the Christian character to revive religion within the family, and restore ethical honesty in daily life. The need of a revival was urgent., but it must he a. revival of ■thical religion.