NEGLECT OF THE SABBATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15308, 22 May 1913, Page 8

NEGLECT OF THE SABBATH

A DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE.

BRANCH FORMED IN AUCKLAND.

"The greed of gain and the pursuit of pleasure have linked hands with the forces of irreligion to paralyse this right arm of the Church and to rob the community of the priceless boon of a quiet day of rest," is a statement with which the Lord's Day Alliance of New Zealand emphasises its appeal for steps to counteract " the widespread peril threatening the observance of the Sabbath." Strengthened by, resolutions by annual meetings of six ecclesiastical bodies, a conference of representatives appointed by them met in Wellington, and constituted the New Zealand Alliance on similar lines to that existing in Canada, which embraces nearly 600 organisations in the" various cities, towns, and villages of the sister Dominion.

The object of the alliance is " to promote a better religious observance. of the Lord's Day,' and to secure it as a day of rest for the whole community." Membership is open to all who pledge themselves : —(a) To attend divine worship on the Lord's Day, unless prevented by unavoidable circumstancesj (b) to discountenance, as far as may be within their power, any such use of the Lord's Day as may conflict with its proper observance as one of rest and worship; (c) to do their utmost to create a healthier public opinion and conscience on this subject. Steps are now being taken to form brandies throughout the Dominion. The constitution of a branch in Auckland' was effected yesterday by a meeting held in the Diocesan Office, representative of the various churches, at which the Rev. A. Miller presided. A letter was received from Dr. Cleary, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, expressing his sympathy with the movement and readiness to cooperate with it in certain directions. The Anglican Bishop of Auckland was appointed president .of the branch, the Moderator of the Presbytery and the chairman of the District Committee of the Methodist Church were appointed vicepresidents, and the Rev. A. Miller, of Edendale, was elected secretary and treasurer. The following, executive was elected :—Canon H'aselden, and the Revs. J. Wilkinson, H.' H. Robjohns,' J. M. Saunders, J. Olphert, Stanley Jenkin, and H. Steele Craik. The Salvation Army, the Associated Churches of Christ, and the West Street Church of Christ will each be invited to appoint a representative to complete the executive. .; A campaign to secure members will be prosecuted, and by sermons and other means, efforts will be made by the cooperating churches to secure public interest in the movement.