"SINS OF AUCKLAND."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 10

"SINS OF AUCKLAND."

DAY OF MOURNING PLAN. COMMISSIONER HAY'S VIEWS. DEFENCE OF THE PROPOSAL, The Salvation Array's decision to o!> serve "a day of mourning" for "the sins of Auckland" is defended by Commissioner Hay, in a letter to the Dominion, Wellington.

Tho commissioner says: "The Salvation Army, true to its vocation, has, in endeavouring to appeal to the growing irreligion, spiritual decay and weakness ia moral stamina, resorted to unusual methods to arouse public and individual conscience. About a year ago it did so in regard to 'the damning sins of Wellington,' and the result was, from many standpoints, gratifying. On August 31, the Army, in the midst of a full evangelical and teaching programme, adopts a similar method in Auckland.

"The condition" of Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland, and probably other cities, is far from satisfactory to either spiritual guides, moral reformers, or to those who have a sufficient familiarity with the spiritual decay that has gradually, but surely, declared itself during the last two decades. Even as God's appeals have been to every part of man's mentality, will, emotions, fears,' gains, moral judgment and spiritual hunger, even sfl the Salvation Army introduces at time? what may appear a trifle sensational. What of it—and why not ? "... Man's greatest impetus to mora] improvement surely comes from the due exercise of all his spiritual powers, and for these we, ,as all true evangelists, say, he must turn to .God. 'lt is not in mas that walketh to direct his steps.' Associated with that basis, the action of the prophets, the work of the apostlesnay, of the very Christ Himself—appealed to and manifested considerable emotion and mourning, and sensationalism, if you will. As for such appeals, one cannot Delieve in the Holy Scripture and the whole lesson of spiritual reform as outlined therein, without at least admitting the place of appeal to the emotions. We do not mean the superficial, ephemeral agitation of a moment, but those deeper forces of spiritual examination, belief, and adjustment of life and character.' Belief, in all its emotional history, surely is the most powerful function of the soul, and secures tremendous changes. Surely this function has become operative in millions, as much as in cold reasoning. Indeed, reason 'in itself —education in itself —has not made us more moral, and certainly not more spiritual.-

"But anyone who regards the history of revivalism as simply appealing to tho sensational or to the emotions, . . . might at least examine, before such an indictment be written, the facts and permanent deposit on national life and character, whether in the Homeland, our own land, or other lands. These show tremendous moral upheavals, frequently associated with great emotion and sensation. The Wesley revival —the Moody and Sankey the Torrey and Alexander—the first 30 years, as well as the present day, Salvationism—and many others."