FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1932, Page 6

FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY

ANTI-REJLIGIOUS SPIRIT.

TEMPTATION'S FOR THE YOUNG.

“I am apprehensive about the future of Christianity,” said Archdeacon G. H. Gavin at the annual meeting of St. Mary’s parish, New Plymouth, last night. “What will St. Mary’s be like 50 years hence? One reason for my apprehension is that we are running the parish on the momentum of our old people. The young people are not coming on to take up the responsibilities.” They were passing through a grave crisis in the world, Mr. Gavin continued. In New Zealand there was a definite anti-religious spirit abroad. He had received a letter from Auckland indicating a fear that churches might be burned. To-day, more than ever, they must stand by the Christian religion, with its ability tq develop a high moral character. Young men and women should be urged to take their' place in church work. There were parents who were definitely anxious about the future of their children, and who worried because they recognised the temptations their children had to go through. He might be taking a pessimistic view, but he felt . that church people had to make their influence felt if these children were not to be overcome by the temptations of to-day. Mr.. Gavin was’ fully in accord. with the idea that a minister should visit his parishioners. The St. Mary’s parish was too big for himself and the Rev. Fortham Clarke to cover adequately, but he was going to do his best under fhe circumstances.