CALLED YACHTSMEN TO SERVICE WITH OLD BENZINE TIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18011, 23 November 1926, Page 15

CALLED YACHTSMEN TO SERVICE WITH OLD BENZINE TIN.

PARSON, CLAD IN SHORTS AND SUN-HAT, CONDUCTS CHURCH IN OPEN. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 22. A parson clad only in shorts and sun-hat., anrl beating a benzine tin for a church bell, was responsible for a gathering around him on Sunday of about one hundred and fifty yachtsmen, to hear Divine service. It was an occasion unique in the annals of Auckland churches at 16a*t. With the clear blue sky as the dome of his church, the Rev Jasper Oaider, City Missioner, who happened to be cruising during the week-end, conducted a service, and preached a sermon that few of his congregation are likely to forget. The event was made possible by some of Mr Calder's friends, who rccentlv purchased for him the fine little cruising yacht, NgarO. He made his first trip in the boat on Saturday, and anchored for the night in Islington Bay, between Rangitoto and Motutapu. About fifty other yachts and launches also made the bay a rendezvous for the night. When the fleet was lying calmly* at anchor yesterday morning. Mr Calder conceived the idea of conducting a service. He rowed to the shores of Rangitoto. and. lightly clad, proceeded to summon a congregation bv banging on an old benzine tin. At first the yachtsmen were shy about going to church, but gradually numbers of dinghies could be seen heading for the shore. Before long a crowd of about one hundred and fifty had assembled, representing nearly every boat’s crew. The spectacle of them standing bareheaded in the brililant morning sunshine was impressive.

Taking as his analogy, the sheer line of a boat as a representation of beauty, Mr Calder said that, everyone present owed a d«bt to Christianity, because that religion lent added beauty and happiness to a world of sin and sorrow. As the sheer line of a boat emphasised its beauty’, so Christianity was the influence which kept the world going. Christianity marked the melody of life, and emphasised the things which made for happiness and righteousness. Mr Calder made an earnest appeal to* the young men present to play the game and live up to the traditions of the pioneer yachtsmen. He urged them to nail their colours to the mast, and to be loy*al to their faith. The service, which concluded with a praver for the fleet, proved exceedingly’ popular, and Mr Calder was asked to repeat his visit. This he intends to do when opportunity offers.