SUNDAY BOWLS

Northern Advocate, 5 November 1934, Page 7

SUNDAY BOWLS

RELIGIOUS ASPECT DISCUSSED. YESTERDAY AND TODAY. “In these days we have removed many of the religious restrictions of former times” said Rev. W. Elliott, in the Presbyterian Church yesterday morning. “Public opinion does not look askance at a man who plays golf, or goes for a joy-ride on a Sunday. In the days of our fathers ho respectable person would dare do such a thing. We have gained greater freedom, and the latest freedom in this community is that of bowling on Sunday. Other sports already do it, and whatever may be said about it, and however much we may deplore it, such are facts. With freedom, people choose’ their own company, whether it be to the seaside or golf, or bowls or church, on Sunday. But after all, it is free-' dom, and not restriction, that is the test of inclination, and consequently of character.” “The principle of restriction and freedom is very important in morals and religion. For example, there is the Greek view., The Greeks had their cardinal virtues, and among them was “self-control.” They recognised that there were forces and inclinations in human nature that were not to be left free.fo follow their own direction. Hence restraint was preached, and restraint was practised. “The Jews had their law—the moral law. There we find exhortations and prohibitions: “Thou shalt”; “Thou x shalt not.” These • restraints were essential to a life of godliness and virtue. If they were removed the consequences would be disastrous. If let go, the evil within us would run riot, and destroy us. “But Christianity goes further and deeper. It seeks to infuse a new element into life. It seeks, hot so much to impose restrictions, as to effect a change of disposition. It imparts an inward power. The law was external, but grace is internal. Christianity is not a new external legalism, but an inner regenerating force. Jesus insisted on a new birth, that is the impartatiOn of a new moral and spiritual direction, because there is an inner desire, and .choice to do right. Until that takes place, restrictions are necessary. The law can never save in any real and final sense, for if by its penalties and prohibitions it keeps men good, if they still have the inclination to do wrong, they are not saved in any complete and real sense. We need something more than outer restrictions. We need an inner desire to be and do the right. Jesus Christ can do this, and this is secret of His power.” “As soon as a man has full freedom, he will do that which is within his heart. But one, day the restraints of time will be removed. In His picture of the Last Judgment, Jesus placed the goats on His left hand, and He says; “These shall go away”—not be “sent away,” or be “driven away,” but “go away.” They choose to go. They choose to be separated from God and goodness, and life eternal. The destiny of souls is not finally determined by a fiat from God’s judgment seat, but by a principle of selection in the nature of the person being judged. Each person chooses his own destiny. Being given freedom, *he either returns to God or departs from God.”