SPORTS ON SUNDAY

Southland Times, Issue 19097, 15 November 1923, Page 5

SPORTS ON SUNDAY

DESECRATION OF THE SABBATH THE POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH METHODIST SYNOD PROTEST. (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 14. At the annual meeting of the North Canterbury’ District Methodist Synod today, Rev. E. D. Patchett moved: “That this Synod, believing that a due regard for the sacredness of the Christian Sunday is vital and fundamental not only to religion but also to the moral well-being of the nation, we resolve to urge upon mem-. bers and adherents of our church, to earnestly consider this example and influence in so keeping the Lord’s Day that the high moral and spiritual ends it has promoted in the past, may be presented to posterity.” In speaking to the motion, Mr Patchett referred to the action of the Avondale Tennis Club. As a keen tennis player he was satisfied that a great step had been taken in a retrograde direction. Certain members of the club and others had shown their colours in no uncertain way. If the Methodists could stem the tide, they should in no uncertain way define their attitude. Mr W. Simpson said the members of sports clubs, asking for this concession, would grow. Already cricketers wanted to know why they could not play on Sundays. ' This was a move Methodists should have to fight. The motion was carried unanimously. The second motion, also moved by Mr Patchett, was carried by similar vote. It read: “That we strongly deprecate the spirit of careless indifference to the accepted ideals of a Christian community that has manifested itself in a demand for Sunday games and amusements and we call upon all sports bodies that have offered in this matter to consider the wrong they are inflicting upon our national life and upon the rising generation by their attempts to break down what has proved to be in the long history of our nation, one of the bulwarks of our great Christian civilisation.”