Debating Society.

On the 15th August, "The Society for the Prevention of Fellowship and Mental Culture" (to quote from the prospectus) was occupied in contesting the motion that the organised Christian Church is falling into decay. Mr. Riske opened the case for affirmative, and contrary to expectations took that mildly correcting view of modern Christianity which we hear from the lips of even the divine. He heartily applauded the ideals of the early Christian Church, with its leanings towards Pacifism and Communism. He deplored the fact that the Church had gone on its knees to the God of Victories during the last war. He hoped that the Christian Church would cease from straying, would teach Pacifism, and the doctrine that no man should grow wealthy at the expense of his fellow-men.

Mr. Taylor then rose and opposed the motion. The Church, he showed, was mathematically sound, the attendances were not falling off, and produced a graph in support of his argument. When the curve rose higher, he told us, the attendances follow. He proceeded to explain the method employed, but was stopped by the obscene hilarity of a miserable section of the audience. We all sympathised with the speaker, who was so obviously handicapped by the absence of chalk and a cue.

Mr. Benge then rose and confessed that it was some time since he had been to church—in fact, his last visit had been on the occasion of his Christening. He said the Church had passed through two phases—Inspiration and Polish, and was now in the process of decay. He was all for ethics, and baulked at mere Church membership.

Mr. Reardon then addressed the meeting for a prolonged period. He proceeded, in an effort purify home life, to take a Continental excursion to France. France had until recently banned religion, but now religion had swept back with increasing force. The speaker, who was talking ceaselessly and doggedly, appeared to be borne in on the sweeping tide, but was immediately carried out to sea again bound for foreign parts. The Christian missions, he said, illustrated the rigorous life of the Church. What was the heathen for if he was not to be converted ? Mr. Reardon was cut off short by the elapse of time, and the motion was thrown open for discussion. Messrs. Powles, Hurley, Vickerman, Bannister, Moore, Scotney, Crossley, Watson and Gibson also spoke. Mr. Cousins judged the speakers, and placed them in the following order:—Messrs. Mountjoy, Powles, Reardon, Bannister, Hurley and Riske.