BRIGHTER CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 14

BRIGHTER CHURCH

INNOVATION IN SYDNEY. COMMUNITY HYMN SINGING. Sydney, Nov. 24. Many pleas have been made from time to time for brighter church services, but few ministers have been bold enough to experiment in that direction, states the New Zealand Herald correspondent. With the approach of summer, the Rev. G. E. Pocknail, of the Presbyterian Church at Bondi, a popular seaside suburb, evidently realised the need for action if he was to hold his congregation, and on Sunday last he was the leader of a unique service in the local picture theatre. For the first time in his life he had the pleasure of facing a congregation of 1000 people, and now he is elated at the success which attended his experiment. Although he introduced many unusual features; he claimed that religious fervour was apparent throughout the evening. He says there was a magnificent response to the prayers. Mr. Pocknail was assisted by Mr. Charles Lawrence, who will be remembered, in New Zealand as a comedian. Mr. Lawrence has of late years earned much fame as a leader of community singing, and; it was in that role that he appeared on Sunday night. On that occasion all the songs were hymns and he urged the congregation to put vigour into their vocal efforts. He began each hymn with “one, two, three, go,” and there was a remarkable response. Mr. Lawrence said that the people of to-day even drank their beer religiously; in fact, they did everything religiously, except go to church. It was time they turned their thoughts to church and the higher things of life. It was added by Mr. Packnall that as the people seemed to be enjoying themselves so much, he would not preach a sermon. .Many people to-day, he said, were bored by church service*:, and when they went to church they became quite miserable. God wanted His children to : be happy, and he would endeavour .to make them happy by conducting bright but religious services. He hoped to attract those people who seldom went to church.

The innovation has met with the general approval of other churchmen. The Rev. S. H. Cox, for instance, said it was a good experiment and he hoped it would succeed, because most Sydney churchmen had. made no striking attempt to get the people who did not go to church. Those who attended the service such as that held at Bondi on Sunday night might hear one word or phrase that would make them regular churchgoers. The Rev. George Cowie said he thought Mr. Pocknail deserved every credit. He was in an area where there were many counter-attractions, and, instead of going to church, the people were content to lie on the beaches or pro - menade at night. Although new to Sydney, the idea had been tried with great success in England, and he hoped it would be a success in Sydney. The Rev. N. C. Goss, the hikers’ padre, said that any man had to fit his job to suit the conditions in which he worked. Mr. Pocknail knew the conditions, and his opinions were worthy of respect.