THE MAYOR MILITANT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 55, 11 April 1914, Page 10

THE MAYOR MILITANT.

HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH.

ATTITUDE TOWARDS' SPORT.

The Mayor was in a religiously militant mood when he addressed the Presbyterian Bible Class campers at the Papanui Domain yesterday. A large marquee was full of young men, gathered from all parts of the Dominion. Many of them were in ' snorting "togs," and" were fresh from kicking the football. The pianist, when called up to perform his duty, emergedfrom the back row clad in jersey, knickers, and football boots and stockings. The Mayor said that it was exceedingly cheering to older, men to see young men coming forward, in their health and strength, to help their fellows. He was outside his city boundary in coming to welcome them, but he would risk any criticism on that" account and extend to the visiting delegates a hearty welcome to Christchurch City and suburbs. To him there was . nothing more beautiful in life than to see young men whose aim it was to be clean, pure, and holy. The Old Book • contained passages which had always been precious to him, and they must prove an inspiration to everyone who had been subject to temptation. The Bible asked: "How shall a young man cleanse his ways?" The inference was that there was something about young men which needed cleansing, and they knew that it was so. The answer given was: "By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word." The message that each of them wanted was: "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." There were many allurements that would be held out to thfcm, but "consent thou not." He liked to see a beautiful city, with good roads and paths, beautiful river banks and domain, but what always appealed to him most was the character of its citizens. They could not have an ideal city unless they had ideal eitizens. It was good citizens who made The ctiy, and it was for that he was trying to use his influence—for God, for good, and for righteousness.

Mr Holland added that he had been criticised for his -attitude towards sport. All he coisld say in reply was that he was a member of nearly every, sports organisation in the city, and they had his hearty sympathy, so long ' as they stood for good, clean sport. He had been accused of refusing, to . allow young fellows to play on Good Friday on sports grounds under the control ■of the City Council. His reply was that he was never asked for the use of any grounds. But that was one of the slurs thrown out. "I know nothing thfs will help you to get more enjoyment out of life than having the love of Jesus Christ in your heart,'* continued his Worship. '' I don't remember the time when the love of Jesus Christ was foreign to my heart." He was not supposed as Mayor to have no opinions or no convictions.

"I had deep-rooted convictions long before I was Mayor, and I am not going to give "them up," said Mr Holland, amid applause. "If being- Mayor means the sacrifice of my principles, I will sacrifice the Mayoralty. I. am going to stick to my convictions and principles, and I know that I will have both sympathy and support in that determination. I am going to place myself before the grand jury—the people—on "the 29th, and we will see what they will'.do.'" ■