TENNIS ON SUNDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18551, 8 November 1923, Page 10

TENNIS ON SUNDAY.

::j:^-:r; j v:;>-/;-'---;.,-..:;./.:-v,:- ■ ..... ..■.: ■'■ 2 PRESBYTERIANS' OPPOSITION GOLF IN SAME CATEGORY. V SANCTITY OF SABBATH. A MODIFIED RESOLUTION. : [BT \ IXLEHH AI'H. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ; >"' . CHRISTCHJJRCH. Wednesday. The playing of tennis on Sunday by the Avonside Club, was strongly criticised 'by the Christchurch Presbytery to-day. • One clergyman was so strong in his ex- • pressions on the question that he asked the Presbytery to- call upon the church members of the club to resign. However, the Presbytery resolved only to commend the action of its members who might withdraw from tho club.

The Rev. R. M. Rybum moved as follows:—"The Presbytery, viewing seriously tho increasing disrespect for the sanctity of the Sabbath, even among soma of our own people, calls upon all ministers, Sunday-school teachers, bibleclass leaders, and members and adherents within its bounds, to consider carefully the basis upon which Sabbath observance vests; and by work and example do all that they can to check tho growing disregard of the Lord's Day. Regarding Sunday sport, which has received prominence lately in Christchurch, tho Presbytery wishes it to be distinctly understood that it is altogether opposed to such Sunday sport, as being contrary to the teaching and example of Our Lord. Regarding the Sabbath and the spirit in which it should bo kept, we commend the action of any members of clubs who take their stand against any form of Sabbath desecration." Tho Rev. J. Dickson said that young church people were present at tho meeting of the club at which the discussion on Sunday tennis had taken place, and they had 'used their moral courage in opposing the playing of tennis on the day of rest. Dr. Erwin: We recommend them to resign from a certain club? Mr. Ryburn: We don't want to put them out of a certain club, but we recommend them to resign from that club. ' The Rev. J. Johnston asked if that would embarrass members who did not intend to resign from the club, although it still played tennis on Sunday. • Rov. W. Tanner: Although I feel strongly on the subject of Sunday tennis end although I play tennis myself, and know many who play ••_•;■', Rev. W. H. Howes: On Sundays? Mr. Tanner: I won't say. The matter i'> one for the members concerned. Continuing, he said that it was better that the members should remain in the club, for they could enter a protest at any meeting of the club at which the matter was discussed. He thought they were not within their rights in calling upon them to withdraw from the club. If that went into the resolution he thought it would be misconstrued. ITo placed Sunday golf in the same position as Sunday tennis. People had ample lima for sport on week days without Sundays. It was as wrong if the games were played in seclusion as ii they were played in full view of the passer-bv Dr. £rwin objected to the portion of the motion affirming that the young people should be called upon to resign from the club. The interpretation of the Sabbath law, he said, was, to some extent, a matter of conscience. As religious teachers they had the right to give an intrepretation of that law, but the Presbytery would be going beyond its right* if the last clause of Mr. Byburn's motion were passed. A small committee was appointed, and on its recommendation, the first portion of Mr. Ryburn's resolution, ending with the words, " the Lord's Day," ;was deleted. The remainder of the -resolution was carried unanimously. '