CHURCH RAFFLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18087, 11 May 1922, Page 8

CHURCH RAFFLES.

PRACTICE CONDEMNED.

GUESSING COMPETITIONS.

" DISGRACEFUL PROCEEDINGS."

[BY TBLI3GIIAFH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CHRISTCHURCn. Wednesday. Guessing competitions and raffles came under tho ban at to-day's meeting of the Christchuroh Presbytery. The moderator, Rev. T. G. Butler,, referred to the practice of raffling goods at church social functions, and mentioned that a. certain church had published an advertisement concerning rallies. He could make definite and sweeping statements on tho question, but ho did not want to do this. It was unfair, however, that when a church had taken a stand against gambling there were other churches with no conscience in the matter, or very littlo, and they scoffed at and scorned those who had made a stand because of a so-called narrow-mindedness. On tho Ifaco of things, guessing competitions might not bo harmful, but some congregations might develop them, and they finally would bo included in the general term: of church raffles. It was a pity for the Church to bo drawn into these disgraceful proceedings which were spoiling tho spiritual life. He moved: "That the special attention of congregations bo drawn to clause 6 of the session's Life and Work Committee's report, which roads: ' That special instruction regarding the evils of gambling bo taught in the Sunday schools and churches.' "

The Rev. Dr. Erwin: A definite decision of the assembly against raffles has been adopted. Why not point this out 1

Tho Rev. W. Hayward asked whether it would not be better for the committee, which had just given a decision against dancing, and which had impressed the presbytery for its strength, sanity, and wisdom, to also submit a report on raffles. Things were going on that were not very creditable.

The Rev. J. Patterson (who seconded the motion): I do not think we should be drawn into subtle distinctions on gambling. The Rev. Dr. Erwin: I would not say that guessing competitions promote gambling. They require skill. A housewife guesses the weight of a cake or a man the weight of a sheep. They use the knowledge obtained in their occupations. Tho Rev. J. Jacobson considered that guessing competitions were a form of gambling. They awakened cupidity to get an article for a fraction of its value at tho expense of others. The Rev. W. Tanner said it was time that public attention was drawn to the matters raised. Ho would not bo a minister in a church and permit raffles. The Rev. W. H. Howes asked if the guessing of the number of peas in a bottle was a matter of skill or one of chance. The Dr. Erwin said that the general of the General Assembly dealt with tho trouble. Raffling was an infinitesimal thing in tho bounds controlled by the presbytery. Voices: It is not in our district. V* hat about the country areas ? The Rev. Dr. Erwin: It is even in the country areas. It is nob a thing that prevails to any extent. Another member said he had recently changed his opinions about guessing competitions. Ho considered them an evil. Tho motion was carried.