ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11129, 31 July 1899, Page 3

ECCLESIASTICAL.

THE BERESFORD-STREET CONGREGA-

TIONAL CHURCH. Last evening the Rev. Joseph Parker gave his usual quarterly address to women, taking as his subject " Careless Women," basing his discourse on Isaiah xxxii. 9, " Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my .voice ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech." The preacher said at the time when the people of Israel were threatened with an Assyrian invasion; at a time when it was plainly declared by the prophet, that their palaces should bo deserted, that their holds should be desolated, that their offspring would toe carried into captivity, and nameless indignities would be inflicted upon themselves, the women of Israel were careless, unconcerned, about the dangers that threatened them, manifesting more regard about the trappings of their attire, and their ornaments,' than they did about the sore troubles which were even then thundering at their gates. Ho rejoiced to remember at this time the army of noble women employed in easing the world's burdens, in putting away the world's sin; women who bravely faced the dangers that threaten our race, and by strong and loving service seek to come between the people and harm. Take women out of the tcmporaneo crusade, and it would soon bo an organisation without spirit and backbone, and against lust, gambling, and unrighteous laws women were hurling some of the heaviest blows. He gladly made suoh recognition. . But he . was simply appalled when ho thought of tho multitudes of women who dwelt at ease, who were careless, who spent the principal part of their time in much the same way that the women of ancient Israel, complained of by the prophet, did, in vanity and sinful leisure. If the women of our nominally Christian countries, who are careless daughters, dwelling at ease, could bo prevailed once to rise up, and exert thei' God-given powers for righteousness, society would be regenerated in a space of time that would astonish the most optimistic. They oould do so by helping to stem the lido of harmful literature. Three-fourths of the vile literary stuff that was now upon the market would not bo there if all women would rise up in a body and refuse to have their minds contaminated by such literature. A gontloman onco told him, who took the trouble to ascertain, that ho was fairly astounded by the number of women in Sydnoy who appbed at tho Free Public Library and other institutions for Grant Allen's " The Woman Who Did." He had known women occupying good social positions, neglect all domestio pursuits, and spond tho whole morning reading novels that ho would not care about reading to a mixed audience. But unswopt rooms, untidy appearance, brolhors or husbands neglected, was but a very small part of tho damage done in this way. He defied any woman who was accustomed to read the average novol to have an absolutely wholesome and sweet view of life. Ho had no sympathy with prudery, but when the mental diet that people fed upon was made out of stories of seduction, divorces, runaway matches, and intrigues, it was impossible for them to be morally healthy. It was dangerous to look complacently upon such things. There was great safety in being sincerely shocked at wrong-doing. Of all the sources prolific of suggestion, there was none more so than literature. They should absolutely refuse to spend their money upon, or to read, books that were otherwise than healthy, and examine also the literature that their children handled. It was complained now that there were no girls. There were infants, children, the next stage was sweethearts. Girls in their teens were familiar through the books they road with lovers, elopements, divorces, seductions, and long before they reached the years of womanhood had lost that delicacy, innocenoe, and freshness which was one of the greatest charms of womanhood. If they would stay the evil, destroy where the suggestions of evil were born. He would urge women to become larger contributors to a higher typo of manhood. He had nothing to say concerning those who were seeking to produce a higher type of man by Act of Parliament. But speaking specially to women, he would say show unto them " a more excellent way." They could contribute to the highest type of manhood by setting forth tho highest typo of womanhood. He heard a lady say once, " I know what I can do with men." Ho had to confess to them that womon had it in their power to make men devils, or to make thorn " a little lower than tho angels." Women had it also in their powor to make men purer in speech. If all the women in this city were to rise up determined Hint they would only tolerate the best words that could bo spoken, tho worthiest thoughts that could bo conceived, men would begin not only to entertain higher thought of womon, but would begin to feel the aspirations of their own manhood. Then women could show more appreciation for good men and less for scoundrels. It might seem a startling statement to make in cold blood, but he made it after a close observation of the sexes for a number of years. The man who htul something shady about his career seemed to Imvo a sort of fascination for some women. With thoughtless inconsistency many men wore courted and pettod for no other apparent reason than that ho had the same character that they spurned when found in their sisters. Make men feel, if they desire to please, that they best please by their courage, thoir unselfishness, their devotion to duty, and their manliness. Do that, and wo had already started on the way for a higher type of man. What folly it was to speak of woman's sphere as a limited one! He never said her mission was confined to "pots and pans;" he never even thought so. He could see in her lifo a programme that would take all her years, all her strength, and all her wisdom to work out. His last point was that women might still be first in advnnoing tho kingdom of God. The sneor that was raised against the Christian religion being supported chiefly by women was not one to repudiate, but to glory in. From tho days of Miriam, Deborah, the Marys, to modern times, womon had not been behindhand in all charitable, missionary, and religious enterprise. 0 woman with the quick sympathies, the passionate love, the wondrous faith, what ministry was like unto hers if Christ ruled her heart? The sermon was forgotten, but the prayer learnt at a mother's knee was remembered; tho hymns that she used to croon came baok to man's memory from the long ago when face to face with the last enemy in the valley of the shadow of death. There was a large congregation, who listened attentively to the address.

CHRISTIANITY AND DRAINAGE. At Knox Church, Parnell, yesterday, the Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A., preached at both services. At the evening service he made special reference to the drainage scheme which is to be placed before the ratepayers of Parnell at an early date. Taking as his text, "Look not only on thine own things but also on the things of others," the preacher delivered a stirring address, urging that those who were fortunate enough to have a drainage scheme of their own should endeavour to help those who were not so fortunately placed, and showed that it was absolutely contrary to all Christian principles to refuse to give assistance in such a matter, Y.M.C.A. SERVICES. Yostorday afternoon in the lecture room, Y.M.C.A. Buildings, Mr. C. E. Button continued his sermon on "The Saviour before Pilate and Herod." On Saturday evening about 25 young men held a bright open-air mooting, under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A., at the cower of 'Wyndham and Queen Streets, ■the gathering being held from half-past sevon to nino p.m. This open-air demonstration is to be perpetuated each month, the aim being specially to reach the young manhood of the city. CITY HALL SERVICE. The address at the City Hall last evening was given by the Rev. R. Wylie, of Onehunga, from Matthew xxvi. 11. Mr. Jno. Smyth wap in the chair. There was a good attendance.