WORLD’S NEW MOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 443, 27 August 1928, Page 14

WORLD’S NEW MOOD

CHURCHES TAKE THEIR PART VALUE OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT “The world has manifested a new mood for peace,” said the Rev. A. W. Bean, preaching in the Epsom Baptist Church yesterday. He stressed the value of public sentiment in the preservation of peace. Referring yesterday to the historic event of the signing of the Kellogg Pact for the Renunciation of War, the Rev. A. W. Bean, minister of Epsom Baptist Church, said that it was good that the churches should look beyond mere denominational affairs and give serious thought to matters of national importance. In various parts of the British Empire, particularly in the Dominion and in the Commonwealth of Australia, military administration was becoming a subject of grave and disturbed thought. It was widely felt that the expenditure laid out in this direction was largely unwarranted and unnecessary. The factor of finance, however, was not the most prominent in the public mind.

“There is at present a mood in the world to which we ought to make response,” continued Mr. Bean. “There is a condemnation and hatred of war to which our own national emphasis should be added; there is also an obligation to the youth of our land that we should earnestly and practically recognise—the obligation that our young people shall be trained in the ideals of international friendship and world-wide brotherhood and of universally applied Christianity. When all is said, public sentiment can ultimately make war impossible, and when a generation or two of children in the leading countries of the world have been saturated with the thoughts of friendliness toward rival Powers, and are enabled to see what immense potentialities for peace-mak-ing lie in the hands of the intelligent democracies all over the world, then the day of peace without fear and jealousy will be nearer realisation. In this task the churches have a great contribution to make.”

The greatest hope of the world observed the preacher, lay in a spiritual faith making its appeal to the conscience, mind and will of man. A recent writer, analysing the various proposals to abolish war, such as the induction of armaments, abolition of conscription, humanising of methods of warfare, and the application of ethical principles in international relations discovered faults and flaws in all, and ended his article with a pessimistic note, affirming that there tvas

no means of creating a new disposition in humanity. The churches, however, said the preacher, could not accept that pessimistic conclusion. There were adequate foundations for the conviction that a new disposition in man could be created. Christian faith asserted and illustrated that possibility, because it possessed the secret of remaking the human heart in the imago of the Prince of Peace, which was the fundamental solution of the problem of war and of all other evils of mankind. In the course of the service a vocal solo, “Just One Touch,” was rendered by Miss Lucy Cleveland. GLORIOUS WORK

CHURCH’S OPPORTUNITY “No mind however imaginative, no soul however optimistic, can fully grasp the potential powers for good contained in the Pact,” said the Rev. A. MacDonald Aspland in the Knox Presbyterian Church, Parnell. In the furtherance of this glorious work the Church had a wonderful opportunity, continued Mr. Aspland, and he rejoiced to know that regardless of denominational differences in theology and Church government this question was being taken up by millions of sincere Christians all over the world. Without hesitation it could be said that this treaty was a product of Christianity and contained the leaven of which Christ spoke working quietly yet surely in humanity. GREAT TASKS AHEAD CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH That the church was committed to great spiritual and moral tasks was the opinion of the Rev. A. J. Grigg, at the North Memorial Baptist Church. “One of the greatest moral tasks lies',’* he said, “in international relationships. The fact that warfare has come down from toe immemorial as a means of settling disputes does not mean that it must continue. * There is a clear challenge to the church to apply itself by a ministry of inspiration and education to peace, which can alone give the pact abiding value. In doing this the church has an opportunity of proving its value. CIVILISATION REJOICES JEWS WELCOME PACT In a sermon at the Synagogue on Saturday morning, the Rev. T. A. Goldstein said the whole civilised world was looking forward, with rejoicing and a calm and chastened spirit to the signing of the Kellogg Treaty. It opened up a new vista of peace. OTHER VICTORIES LATE EARL HAIG’S WORDS “No less than war, there are victories to be won by industry, intelligence and religion,” declared the Rev. Leonard B. Dalby, speaking on “Peace on Earth” at the Pitt Street Methodist Church. “To-day, members of Christian churches should remember especially the words of Earl Haig: ‘The business of the Christian church is to make my business impossible.’ “Statesmen, politicians and a great mass of the people hope that, by this treaty, war will be outlawed forever among the nations.”

MASTER PAINTERS MEET ANNUAL SOCIAL HELD On. Saturday evening the Auckland Guild of Master Painters held its annual smoke social in Nairn’s Tea Rooms, Karangahape Road. The president of the guild, Mr. R. Pybus, presided. In proposing the toast of “The Visitors,” Mr. W. Donald said it had been suggested that the Signwriters’ Guild should be coupled with the Master Painters. He expressed surprise that it had not been done already and said that next year he hoped to see as many signwriters as master painters present. The president was glad to see so many members of the guild present and welcomed representatives of the allied trades, who had been invited. During the evening the toasts of “The Painters’ Union,” “The Merchants,” the “Allied Trades, the “Artists” and the “Press” were drunk and songs were sung by the Manukau Quartet, Mr. E. Allen and Mr. W. Donald. A duet was sung by Mr. P. Guppy and Mr. R. Butterworth and Mr. J. Crookes gave a monologue. Mr. H. W. Clegg, of Onehunga, played the accompaniments.

TAKING OF SAMOA EX-SOLDIERS’ REUNION The annual reunion of the Samoan Ex-Servicemen’s Association was held last Saturday evening, when nearly 100 members gathered together to recall memories of the taking of Samoa on August 29, 1914. The members of the force were mainly recruited from Auckland and Wellington districts and during the evening a toast to the Welling men was honoured. Reminiscences, stories and the old songs composed by a member of the old advance party, together with several toasts, made the reunion pass too quickly. During the evening a twominutes’ silence was observed in honour of “Absent Comrades.” Tribute was paid to the work of the retiring president. Major G. S. Simeon, who has been forced to relinquish his duties on Account of ill-health. Major W. Kay was elected president, and Major Simeon, Captain Lind Mitchell and Mr. W. E. Shirley were elected vice-presidents. Captain G. H. Forsythe was elected secretary and Captain J. Neely treasurer.

MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL WELFARE COUNCIL SUGGESTS AMENDMENTS Resolutions suggesting amendmetto the Alental Defectives Bill now be fore Parliament were passed at & recent meeting of the Auckland Soci l Welfare Council. Proposals of the Bill were explains: by the president, Mr. C. J. Timka The following resolutions have beer forwarded to the Hon. J. A. Yom Minister of Health: That in regard to the constitution d the board, the council is of opinion tfe: a wider representation of the pebfc is needed, or a greater representing of existing social service organisation That the control of the travelltef clinic proposed under the Mental Defectives Bill should be vested in tb* Education Department, and not In tbt Mental Hospitals Department That the names required to be eg on to the board under clause 153 should be confined to those of *** children as, in the opinion of the Dilator of Education after report from tfc* head teacher concerned, are likely 9 come within the definition of sect" 2 of the principal Act as amended ' clause 7 of the amending BilL