MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2486, 27 April 1909, Page 4

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

REFERENCES IN THE CHURCHES

At the Baptist Tabernacle on Sunday evening—- the Rev. W. Lamb spoke upon “A Christian View of the Coming Municipal Elections,” and took for his text Isaiah 1., *28.. “I will bestow thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning, and thou shalt be called the City of Righteousness.” The preacher said that it was only by having representatives of the people imbued with righteousness that a city could prosper. Tho men appointed to govern the people should represent the best minds of the people, and the people who stood on the side of God. One of the candidates for the office of Mayor was not representing the best- minds of the people, when ho stood upon the public platform in the cause of the liquor traffic, and even went so far as to say that he would dispose of his property and leave Gisborne if such a reform as no-license was carried. It was a pitiable spectacle to see a Mayor stand up to advocatean evil, to advocate the traffic in drink. The life of the community needed careful watching aud’earotul attention. Ho already saw indications of the slum in Gisborne, and though) it might cost thousands of pounds to install a system of drainage that would sweep away disease from the town, the people should choose men who wore able to grapple with such a question, and who would not allow the public mouey to be squandered. The drafting on paper of a. few principles did not fit a man for municipal honors, but the candidates should be judged by wliat they had been and what they are. At St. Andrew’s Church at. Sunday evening’s service, the Rev. William Grant gave! a special address on “Our Responsibilities as Citizens.” taking as his text Psalm NXXI., 21., “A Strong City.” Mr. Grant said they had a power as citizens, and it- was their duty to exercise this power as to make for the strength of their town and nation. If they wanted a strong city they must have citizens of a strong Christian character. In conclusion, lie exhorted them to do tlieir duty and exercise their vote's at the forthcoming schocil committee and municipal elections. During the service, Mr. H. J. Grieve sang “The Two Cities.”