SABBATH RECREATIONS.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 115

SABBATH RECREATIONS.

Since -the publication, of the church census, the Rev. Munro aud other gospellers have been severely exercised over the. problem -why so .many people stay away from the services. Notwithstanding that the returns show a larger average attendance of. church-goers in Auckland than in England and the . neighbouring colonies, the preachers are sighing to pluck more brands from the. bWning, and they beat the pulpit drum ecclesiastic louder than- ever. It never seems to strike these zealous Sabbatarians that beside the peppfe who are " suffering' a recovery," the poker .players,* sluggards, and. those who, have, no taste. for indifferent singing and dry sermons, a large -proportion. "of, the people are obliged to stay at Tipme and to •prepare the dinners, nurse I the, "babies, and mind the houses of those who go to

church. If sonifc of the parsons had their way, the homes of the people would be left to be ransacked by burglars, and the extra piety inside the churches would be far more than counterbalanced by the stimulated activity of Satan outside. While the parsons were receiving the abundant offerings of the faithful, Beelzebub would be levying involuntary contributions on sundry and diverse people for purposes of ungodly vice. Oarpe diem ! Let the parsons rest and be thankful ; they have a very good thing in hand already if tiiey but know how to take care of it. But we can throw some light on the mystery of nonattendance at the churches on the Sabbath. The discovery would never have been made had we not been numbered among the ungodly, who prefer occasional fresh air and innocent recreation on Sunday after the sedentary occupation of the week. Strolling along Mechanics' Bay we turned inland among the grimy buildings aud scattered timber-stacks of Fraser and Tinne's foundry and the Union Sash and Door Company's yards, and there in out-of-the-way corners, nicely screened from public observation, we suddenly came upon several groups of men and hobbledhoys playing pitch-and-toss for coppers, while a few of the smaller fry were stooping down to games of marbles. The language was appropi'iate to the surroundings, consisting for the most part of powerful Anglo-Saxon and slang. We have done our duty by iudicatii g a new field for the evange lists and city missionaries, quite as promising as that which was represented by Mr Jukufifar and other distinguished travellers who appeal to the sympathies and purses of the Christians on behalf of suffering and benighted niggers.