THE JOY OF RELIGION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 4

THE JOY OF RELIGION.

BBIGHTER CHUROW N EEDED. f SYDNEY CLERGYMAN'S IDEAS. [from oup. ! owx! cop.besj?ondent.] ...''' SYDNEY. July 17. Religion should, put joy into our hiiarts. The- Rev. S H. Cox, oue of the mosi prominent of oijr Congregational ministers, whoie islogan is "a brighter church," delivered an outspoken sermon. the other Eight. Why," he asked, "was the averago' church so dreary ? Why did people look; so. solemn in church ?" It was up : to the church, he said, to prove that life was aiade for ,happiness, ' and that God was hot a. dismal old Judge, or a crosstempered schoolmaster. The church, My, Cox arguedj should provide the best premises for tbi finest types of social life and:; industrialbrotherhood. -People, La added,, should resort to it for tba beiit dancing, the best amateur dramatic art,- .the best . boding, and sports of l .all , kinds, Abe , best ;■ music and; .literature. All of those phases should be presented,' with none 6? the eviJa associated witjV alcohol, gambling, StMUial vice, or commercial immorality. Tterchui'ch should be open all day* and 6T«;y day, for:-any man, woman or child desired any sort of aid for b'ody, miad or , eoul. It Vpould link vp with every term of civic inactivity, yet „ ibe a perfect friend with,f Roman Catholic, Protestant; Jew, or those of no special faith.. : .• :