ANGLICAN SERVICES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14447, 13 February 1909, Page 10

ANGLICAN SERVICES.

—Will you kindly allow ine space in your columns to express the regret I feel lit the neglect, in some quarters at least, of the young people of the Anglican community. I was in Duneilin 011 Christmas Day, and attended holy communion at St. Matthew's Church at 9.15 a.m., and learnt to my surprise and pain that there were not to be matins or any service to which children or the young and unconfirmed could bo taken. I have since learnt that the same arrangement is carried out at Easter. Why, may I ask, should there be four services 011 Christinas Day and Easter Sunday to suit the convenience, and I fear in some instances the laziness, of adult members of a congregation, and the dear children and young- people be ignored? When I remember the bright, joyous services to which wo were taken as children on the two greatest festivals of the Church my heart aches for the neglected ones. I have not boon able to loa.ru all I should like to have done as to the services at t-he other Anglican churches in this city, but I believe tlmt in one, at least, matins aro not banished from the services.

Wo lieav continually of " irregular attendance at. church," and of " diminishing congrcgations," but docs any sane person believe that, when the young people have grown up in. Mid habit of remaining away from divine sorvice on two Sundays in each month and 011 the two great festivals of the Church they will be likely to attend regularly in lat<>r years? I know that, the answer of the clergy will lie that they wish to familiarise the young with our highest and most solemn service. Our God is a God of mercy and not of sacrifice, and would it not. bo cruel to expect our little ones to kneel through a service the meanins .of which is far above their comprehension? And who would wish them to acquire the habit, of sitting through so solemn a service? I leave your shores pained and saddened.—l am, etc., February 10. Visitor.