OPEN-AIR SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1916, Page 3

OPEN-AIR SERVICE.

To the Editor. Sir—l sincerely 'hope the idea of an open-air service on Anzac Day will be abandoned. The idea of the various churches meeting in one common act of worship, under the canopy of Heaven, is an admirable one in theory, but in practice it is a failure. I remember one such a few years ago in the Recreation Grounds, and the proceedings were absolutely inaudible except to the few within a few feet of the platform, while on the fringe of the crowd children ran about, played and shouted, and couples gossiped, so tb.at a reverent frame of mind was impossible. Then, too, there are the speakers to be considered. The difficulty of speaking in the open-air is well known, and an address, whatever its quality, that cannot be hoard by those to ,whom it is spoken I* uorse than useless. If the theatre or other building with sufficient seating aecom modation can he procured for the afternoon, .well and good, but if not it would be better for each Church to offer up their prayers to the Almighty in their own place of worship than to have a service in the open air, which it is impossible to conduct with proper reverence.—l am, etc., B.