IN JAVA

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 172, 22 August 1929, Page 4

IN JAVA

By Frederick Stubbs, F.R.G.S.

A THOUSAND MILES BY CAR. A DUTCH PROTESTANT SERVICE

(Rights Reserved.)

My 1000 miles ride bv car is over (it was more nearly loOO miles). and I am not sorry. It enabled me to see portions of tbe country not usually visited by tourists; tlio sccnery was trul.v beautiful and tho life of tbe people full of interest ; but it was fatiguing and sometimes dilficult, and I gladly leturn to the iron road. A DUTCH SERVICE. This morning 1 attendcel a service at the Dutch Protestant Church. Most of tho European sho))s are closed on Sunday, but not tbe Ohinese or native. But the factories are closed and the building operations, while tlie streets are full of Dutch and Eurasians in holiday attire. Sunday indeed is observed more in this city than in any I bave seen in the East Indies. The church that I attended is a handsome structure, finely situated. The service was advertised for 9.30 a.m.. but as is becoming common with church scrviees, did not commence punrtually. And it bcgan with two collections ' Tlie collections was made by three ashers, each of whorn liad a stick about nine fcet long at the end of

which a velvet bag was held impartially before each worshipper. Having placed my oira modest offering in the bag I tliought my duty was fulfiJled, but to my surprise as soon as the ushers had completed one round they began anotlier. Fortunately I still had a coin left and so escaped being put out of tlie church. This double collection having been hiade tlie minister clad in black goivn with long white bands entered the pulpit and gave out a hymn that was sung by the congregation while sitting. There was no ehoir, and the singing was somewliat slow, though quite pleasing. Then came a prayer, during which nearly all the men stcod, but not oue woman. The churcli was about a quarter full. Practically all heads were bare, only a small minority of tlie ladies wearing hats evidently disreguarding St. Paul's warning as to the effect it might have on the feelings of the angels. After tlie scripture lesson there was a baptism. I had obsei'ved just before tlio service began an elderly Dutchman enter with an immense woman upon liis arm and a little boy by his side, and noiv the little cliap was to be baptised. The preaclier having offered prayer and nddressed the parents, descendecl from the pulpit and baptised the boy with

Ihe usual lorniula, upon which the coti--oregation spontaneously arose and sung tbe Doxology, to the same tune witb which most ot-us are famihar. From the appoarance of the mimster l should juclge that he is an able rnan, with a pleasing expression and manner, an excellent voice, and careful elocution, and I confess that to me it was surpnsiiig and sad that in this beautiful churefi, with fine organ, well played. and an able minister, thei'e should be so few worshippers. It is only fair to mention, however, that there are three services during the day. Anotlier feature of this church which expressed great liberality is that there are two mii'.isters, oue an Evangelical ancl the other a Unitarian, and these have separate services. I woilder if there is any siniilar case of Christian Unity in tliis country? It is tlie Roman Catliolic Church tliat attracts tlie Christian people most in Java. As a Protestant, preferring the simple worship of the spirit, I niiglit be tempted to regret tliis. but as an observer I am not surprised. Tlie Roman- Catliolic cerenionial evidently suits the native mind, and though they be called Europeans. it must be remembered tliat the great majoritv of worshippers have native blood. I have visited several of tlie II. C. churclies (for I allow 110 religious prejudice to bar my wav or mar my work) and liave always founcl a good congregation in this country though it lias not always been the case in France or Italy. But in Java places of worship of any kind aro few iu number Tho largest congregation of tlie people is always to be found in tlie parks and p'aygrounds. Buildings havo been iinproved. salaries incrcased, costly organs installed, and yet religion fails to appcal to the great mass of the people. Perliaps if more emphasis wero laid , upon tlie etliics of Christianity, upou f lionour, truth. courtesy. kindness, charity towards others. some hnprovement might be brouglit about in tlie attciulance. I find an incrcasing desire for tlie real, tlie practical, ratlier than tlie tlieoi-etical and formal, and I do not see why this craving should not bo met by tlie church. AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL. To-day I went to see the AustralianBandoeng football match. An immense crowd had gathered, a few British, many Dutch, a large number of Eurasians. and several natives. On all publio occasions wliat I call Eurasians (partlv, European) far out-number ^tlie true European, and in many respects resemble liim. I was somewliat surprised and much pleased to see the natives taking such an interest in the game, and tliey certainly added colour and zest to it. The game began at 4.30, the only possible hour in this clknate,-aud lasted until .5.30. The representative Bando.eng team was composed, it appeared to me, chiefly of Eurasians, with one or two Dutch and Javanese. The Australiaus wero not particularly big men, but wero sompwliat heavier tlian tlieir opponents, and played a somewliat better game, scoring two goals to one, tlieir dribbling especiallv being decided]y bettcr. But tlie local team played well. and witb great pluck, and deserved tlie single goal tliey obtained. Botli sides played in good, clean etyle, attcmpting no bnitalities, whilst the crowd, though naturally anxious tliat tlieir representatives should win, did not fn.il to applaud tlie plav of tlie Australians. Tf, was not cmite first-class football, but I don't tliink T ever enjoyed watching a game more.