INFLUENCE OF CHURCH

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 July 1935, Page 2

INFLUENCE OF CHURCH

INTERESTING ADDRESS. The first of a series of after-church talks took place at Knox Church last night, when Mr C. M. Bowden gave an address on “Is There a Call for the Church to Extend its Sphere of Influence?” Mr Bowden’s address was followed by an excellent and enlightening discussion on the various points raised. Supper was provided by the Ladies’ Social Guild. In the journey through life, Mr Bowden stated, it paid to take stock of themselves occasionally, much as the captain of a ship daily checked his course. They could ask: “Is all well with the Christian Church?” The welfare of the church was not measured by the numbers on the roll or even the attendance, though that would be strong evidence, and certainly not by finance. The truest indications were the extent of its influence on the thoughts, outlook and actions of the people. Its prestige was said to be declining. Thousands of people had no fear of or regard for what the Church might think and an enormous proportion of the people were nominal church members. With this half-lieartedness, how could the church be expected to maintain its virility? He admitted that the church was not holding men, even before they came into active work. If these things were true there must be reasons and they should seek to find them. Although it might be said that the present social conditions were to blame, Mr Bowden said he believed the trouble w-as of longer duration than the period of the depression. He asked if there was any truth in the criticism levelled at the- church. Was the church too ready to condemn certain actions of mankind? As one cynic put it “The church is an institution for stopping people doing the things they want to do.” Those things were popular and would continue. In opposing certain practices the church was on very solid ground—gambling had ruined many homes, wrecked many careers and brought misery to many who were themselves innocent. It was the same with over-indulgence in liouor and other pleasures or pursuits. That being admitted, it. might be that there was an opportunity, in fact a. duty, on the church, to at least seek to put other attractions in their place or provide the same things under proper conditions. He would not hesitate to allow 7 the use of an, assembly hall for dances for young people, to explore licensing reform as an alternative to national prohibition, to co-operate with the racing authorities in cutting out abuses until the sport was a clean and healthy one and to generally plead for less intolerance.

It had been said that the teaching of the church .was not sufficiently robust for men and that it vms becoming a women’s institution, said Mr Bowden. There- might be some truth in that the church did not emphasise enough the courage of Christianity. A sound Christian life demanded rigorous living, discipline and vigour. A Christian man should be a happy healthy man, measurable by w T hat he w 7 as’ or did and not by what he was not or refrained from. It had also been said that the church’s teaching was not applicable to present day conditions and that it did not provide sufficient intellectual motives for turning from the things of sense to the things of spirit. Mr Bow 7 - den said he did not agree with that criticism but if there was truth in it perhaps the fault was more with the public than w 7 ith the church. Nevertheless it behoved the church to make its instruction so clear and logical that it compelled attention and acceptance. Other critics said the church was too self-centred and too idealistic and that it should reach out into coinmunity activities and should- deal with practical problems. Of all the criticism or suggestion offered this was the most pregnant with meaning and in the implications which must flow 7 from it. Bv all means the church should support secular movements wfliich aimed at improving the lot of the people w'ho -were harrassed. The church did support such movements and much good might be done bv moulding the public mind on important questions and educating people to their responsibilities as well as to their rights. Mr Bowden proceeded to enumerate the many fields that might be considered. Should the church study social orders, matters that the whole world was trying to solve? "What research work could the church do that would be fundamental and yet fruitful? These questions called for an answer. Mr Bowden said that one thing he was certain of wms that there could not be in their own or any other country a proper and permanent social order —uo real fulfilment of human destiny—unless there was a sane, vigorous, hopeful spiritual outlook. The promulgation of the gospel was still, he believed, the paramount duty of the church and its privilege.