THE FRIENDLY ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19452, 17 December 1934, Page 2

THE FRIENDLY ROAD

SERVICE IN HAMILTON.

ENTHUSIASM AT FERRY BANK.

Striking evidence of the universal appeal of the Friendly Road broadcasts was given in Hamilton yesterday afternoon, when over 700 people assembled at the Ferry Bank to participate in a brief service conducted by the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour (“Uncle Scrim.") and Mr T. Garland (“Uncle Tom.”)

All classes and ages were represented. 'Children, anxious to see the “Uncle Tom” whose voice they knew so well, were there in large numbers, while, as a marked contrast, there were many old people who wished to thank “Uncle Scrim" for, the comfort he had brought them over the air. For all there was a message.

The Mayor 'of Hamilton, Mr J. R. Fow, presided, and paid a warm tribute to the work of the Friendly Road.

Ignorance of the true art of living was cited by Mr Garland as the cause of president-day evils. Jesus. _he stated, had never spoken of religion, but dealt with life and how to live it, and it was in an endeavour to practise these principles that the friendly Road had been established. I-t stood for the cultivation of love and service, and to these principles everything else was of only subsidiary importance. Half the grounds for dissensions and quarrels in the world were not fundamental differences.

“.It is foolish to suggest that there are any divisions in life that you are one man when you go to church and another when you garden, or when you are at work —and thus the Friendly Road stands for life itself, not any parts or aspects of it,” said Mr Scrimgeour. "Its hope is that it may assist in allaying silly prejudices which are. such a barrier to true happiness. “We want the spirit of comradeship that will help us fight our battles together. There have been difficulties in the past and there will be just as many in the future, but in meeting them we want to go along together,” he added, in stressing the value of spiritual outlook so far as spirtual things were concerned. He said the Friendly Road had no quarrel with the Department; it merely wanted the right to broadcast Its message;

A musical programme was presented by the Waikato Regimental and Hamilton Municipal Band, and a collection was taken up to defray the expenses of the visitors, the balance going to the Mayor’s Relief Fund.