SUPPLANTING THE SERMON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18895, 22 June 1923, Page 9

SUPPLANTING THE SERMON.

PICTURES AND COMMUNITY SINGING. A MELBOURNE INNOVATION. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, June 13. The recent innovation of the cinematograph in Melbourne by a clergyman of an Anglican Church is being boldly emulated by one of his Congregational brethren. r |'he minister, the Rev. C. M atts, of the Carlton Congregational Church, has started with week-night cinematograph displays and community singing in his church, and the first of these last .Friday night attracted a large gathering which lifted up its voices in ‘'Who’ll Come a-Waltzing with Matilda and Me?” The “Torchy” picture, “The Good Provider,” was screened, and there was a programme of songs, impersonations, and violin solos, all by professional artists. “What we want,” said Mr Walt, “is to give people good stuff and to make them dissatisfied when they get poor stuff elsewhere. 'There is nothing religious about the show, and no collection . for church funds or anything else—nothing but sixpence admission, and that simply pays the artists’ fees. People in this country do not care for sermons; wo are going to give them pictures instead —good pictures, too. but with a. moral in them. Religion is not, for Sundays only. If by music and pictures we can influence people during the week, I consider that we are doing our duty. On Tuesdays there are to be children’s concerts, and on one Sunday a month the sermon will bo illustrated by moving pictures.”