SUNDAY HIKING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

SUNDAY HIKING

j DO YOU AGREE? Positively yes! Presuming that hiking is more o! a townsman's perquisite as a means of getting into the country on Sunday—to avoid a four or five-mile march through suburbs—he may use a tram, taxi or ferry, all of which the powers that be permit to run on Sundays. How, then, can the line be drawn at railways? Respect is due to those who do not condone the idea of Sunday hiking—therefore, hikers' arrangements should be made quietly and inoffensively, without blaring advertisement. To many, air and space are more conducive to the propounding of worthy thoughts than the confining walls of church or hall—this, the individual must decide for himself. The question of right or wrong is as much a personal matter as the choice of one's religion. Years ago, it wa s considered sinful for a child to gather flowers on Sunday. A few years later the same boy was not allowed to ride a bicycle on the Sabbath. To-day, the grown man plays a round of golf on Sunday with gratitude, and a perfectly clear conscience. Times change, and men with them. Miss R. S. Mannington, R.M.D.. Te Aroha. " I DO NOT AGREE! The Almighty God has created us—our life and breath are in His power. Now tnis is fact. Our puny minds may not believe it—but that cannot alter the fact. God is love. He loves us truly and wills for us the highest good. But if we ignore Him and deliberately disobey Him, He has every right,, nay more—he must punish us. He gives us six days in the week to spend for our own profit. Has He no right, to ask for Himself a day when we put our own interest second and worship and thank Him for all the good He has given to us ? But folks say, "That is all true; but I can praise and worship Him far better out in the open amongst the glories of nature." But they don't. They know they are far too busy laughing and talking and enjoying themselves to as much as think of God. What hiker sincerely spends five minutes of the whole day thanking God for what she is enjoying ? And how can a hiker go off carefree in the morning knowing that? Is it likely that any true good will come through the outing ? 1S&, and I am one girl, at least, who fears and honours God enough to spend the day in a manner that will please Him. R. Millicwit. Broadbent, 16 Herbert Road, Mount Eden, Auckland. S2.