PEOPLE’S COLUMN

Northern Advocate, 4 February 1928, Page 3

PEOPLE’S COLUMN

• r Our columns a« open to the public for the discussion of natters of public concern. We invite correspondence, but do not identify ourselves with the views expressed by our correspondents. Letters must be written in ink and on one side of the paper only. The real name and address of the writer must be attached to a letter, not necessarily for publication, but as a mark of good faith.—T3d.l

SUNDAY SPORTS AT WAIPU COVE

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It is with a certain degree of reluctance that I write to enter a protest against the growing secularisation of Sunday, as was evidenced last Sunday by the unseemly spectacle witnessed on the beach at Waipu Cove, when the Whangarei Post Office employees and their friends held th.ei* annual picnic and sports. A report of the proceedings appeared in a recent issue of your paper. We all admit what splendid work the employees of the Post Office do for the general public at all times, and that they have few holidays. All the same, I do not think they have any right to flout the religious sentiments of the Christian people at Waipu, many of whom were horrified to learn that the aforementioned sports had been held on the beach. It is to be regretted that there is on all sides this growing tendency to secularise the Lord’s Day. One views with alarm the growing desecration. In many cases the day is devoted to picnics, games, sports, concerts and political meetings.

Voltaire’s motto was: “If we would destroy this Christianity we must first kill Sunday.” And all the powers of evil would seem to he coneentrated in this direction today, viz., to kill God’s Day. But we may rest assured of this, that if the citadel of this sacred institution lie stormed and carried, evil days are in store for the wdvolc community. The Sabbath is not only “the corner-stone of our civilisation,” but is also essential to the very existence of the Church on earth. If the Sabbath was necessary in the past, how much more is it needed now in these days of rush and strenuous activity. A Sabbath well spent Brings a week of content, And health for the toil of tomorrow; But a Sabbath profaned, What ’er may be gained, Is a certain forerunner of sorrow. I am, etc., G. W. BLAIR. Waipu Manse, Fob. 2, 1928,

“TOM MIX” AT THE COVE

(To the Editor.)

S; r> —Being one of the annoyed bathi ers at the Cove on Sunday last, referred to in your column's of Thurs- | day’s issue, I wish to thank the writer of the letter for the publicity he has given the incident. Let us hope chat we bathers have seen the last, except at a distance, of this "Tom Mix" of the Ceve. —I am, etc.. . A BATHER.