"TALKIES" IN NEW ROLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20271, 3 June 1929, Page 11

"TALKIES" IN NEW ROLE

PART OF RELIGIOUS SERVICE.

THE MORALS OF TO-DAY.

ADDRESS BY DR. H. RANSTON, " Talkie" films formed part of a religious seryice at tho Strand Theatre last evening for the first time in Auckland. The service was conducted by tho Auckland Motho'dist Mission. "This evening for the first time the 'talkies' will bo used in connection with a religious service," said the Rev. Dr. 11. Eanston. " This is an indication of the recent developments in scientific discovery and application, but there is apparent no moral and spiritual progress commensurate with that of scienco. Today wo seo again and again a low moral atmosphere. There does not seem to exist to-day that sense of the presence of God which was the concern of our fathers and grandfathers. But I do not stand before you as a pessimist; rather I believo that in spite of the present religious slough, in years to como the world will be better than it is to-day. I say that because 1 know something of history,, and there havo always been periods of religious slough, so that I can look forward .to the future with tho certainty that better things are to be.

" 1 know that the world is not what it should be, but look back on history, and you will realise that, bad as it is, there havo boon worse times," said Dr. Ranston. "In spite of all said to the contrary, the world is getting better, even though the time in which wo live is one of moral slough. 1 havo faith in the future, not, that I believe the world automatically and spontaneously is getting better, but my reading of history shows that whenever there has been an age in which people have believed in Christ that has been a period of moral improvement. If wo want to emerge from this age of moral stagnation wo must accept Christ, for all tho great reforms in tho history of tho world have como from His teach-

ings." There was an exceptionally large attendance to see the first screening of talking pictures in connection with a religious service, and the films, which included the speech made by His Majesty the King at the opening of. the Tyne Bridge, and other items of international interest, were well received. A series of popular hymns was sung by tho audience, and a prayer was offered by Dr. Banston. Mr. W. A. Garrett sang "Calvary," and led tho singing of the hymns. "The 'talkies' are no longer a subject of wild speculation, but are an accomplished fact," said tho Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, tho Methodist missioner, who conducted the service. "Tho 4 talkies ' are a wonderful invention, and I believe that in future they will bo used extensively for educational and religious purposes, largely taking tho place of textbooks."