CORRESPONDENCE. “BY SONG AND PRAYER.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 420, 10 June 1922, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

“BY SONG AND PRAYER.”

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —A i a visitor to your progressive town, and as one who has had a long and intimate association with the Press, let me congratulate you on your excellent editorial in 10-night’s “Standard” entitled “By Song and Prayer.” These movements are among the most hopeful signs of our times. The citizens’ intercessory services, held in the Auckland Town Hall, have been a revelation to many of us. Prior to my corning south a few days ago I was present at one such gathering. It was presided over by my life-long friend, Mr E. C. Cnuen, senior magistrate of .Auckland. At his request 1 took a seat with him on the platform. From that point of vantage 1 noted the personnel of ilie audience, estimated by the newspapers at 800. Among those present were the Mayor of Auckland (Air J. 11. (Pinson) the oily engineer (Mr W. E. Bush), the score)ary of the Auckland Harbour Board (Mr H. B. Burnett), and hosts of equally well known public men. The .Magistrate made an ideal chairman. Each qtiavicT-hoin was complete in itself, thus allowing coming and going without disturbance. The singing was hearty, and favourite hymns such as “Reek of Ages” were snug with great fervour, the service concluding with tho National Anthem. Nor was ibis a perfunctory performance, such as the lale Mr W. T. Stead describes as being “as great a profanation as though one used the Royal Standard as a pocket handkerchief.” 1 have joined in the National Anthem in many parts of the Empire, notably when the Coronation of King Edward was postponed, and we waited at the gates of Buckingham Palace for tlio posting of the bulletins, and ran vouch for the fact that tho citizens’ intercessory service gained in effect by this climax of prayer for His Majesty tho King. 1 have been wondering what Palmerston North is going to do regarding these live movements. In a great tribute to the late Dr. Chalmers. Lord Rosebery recently said that he iuui “warmed Glasgow.” To ray delight I find you have here some real snappy, cold weather, reminding me of my years in Scotland. What about eounminitv singing as a means of physical warmth, and what about citizens’ intercessory services as a means of raising the spiritual temperature? Again I congratulate you, sir, on tour excellent editorial.—l am, etc., JAMES INGS, Moderator of Auckland Presbytery. Palmerston N., June 9, 1922.