Whether we admit it or not, the use of the English language is an important issue for us in Canada. Sometimes we are inclined to close our eyes to the fact that something of a problem does exist in this respect. We say then: "We are now in Canada, and of course we must try to learn the language of this country". But often we leave it at that. We probably try to, learn just enough to get along on the job, but not enough to carry on something that could rightly be called: a conversation. We do, not feel that that is necessary: after all, we have our Dutch friends and we are members of a Dutch(?) Church! If we want to talk about something important we have people near us, who understand the Dutch; so why bother to, learn (better) English?!

This attitude we often find, represented in our Young People Society. At most meetings one does not hear a single word of English; and when a member gets engaged to a Canadian girl or boy, he or she is supposed to drop out of the Y.P.S., for, of course, at the meetings we speak Dutch, so attendance of Canadians does not make sense. Especially in the rural areas the Y.P.S.'s are often "closed shops": no admittance for non-Dutch people. No intruders, please, we want to stay "onder ons"!

And we do not want to speak English at our meetings; after all we do not get together to improve our English, but to discuss the Bible and to Have fun.

This last argument in particular is very misleading. Of course it is true that we do not have our meetings in order to learn English. But at the same time this matter is by no means unimportant. It could very well be made part of the program of our Young People Societies. From a Christian point of view everything would favour such a move. A liberal use of the English language by our young people at the meetings of the Y.P.S. would show an interest in both the future of our church and the spiritual welfare of our Canadian neighbour.

The refusal to use the English language at our meetings points to a dangerous lack of concern for anything that is ( or seems to be) outside of our own small circle. Two words come to mind in this connection: narrow-mindedness and shortsightedness.

But the root of it lies deeper. It is basically a lack of spiritual life and power, coupled with a hidden resentment against everything that is Canadian. it would be wrong to ignore these motives. They mean a real danger to our faith and its consequences for daily living. We can not call ourselves Christians and yet abide by an attitude that is spiritually and morally wrong. Therefore, we must be on our guard against the evil of "following the road of the least resistance",, being concerned only with ourselves and indifferent to the needs of our church and our neighbou.r.

Of course, it would be a pity as well as unwise to drop the Dutch altogether. Some young people must be warned: "do not try to forget your native tongue". It is foolish not to keep it up. Lots of people have to take years in order to learn a second language; and here we are knowing one but allowing it to be forgotten! That must not happen. In this respect we should not be narrow-minded and shortsighted either! Let us not be ashamed of our Dutch descend, and let us try to continue the use of our native language!

It would be wonderful if our young people societies could take on these educational tasks as a sideline. It could perhaps be done by instituting one evening as an "English only" occasion, another as a "Dutch only" one! However, there should be more of the former than of the latter!

Let us all take the study of the English language seriously. We must not be content when we are able to speak a few words of English; we must constantly try to improve our knowledge of this language, enlarging our vocabulary, having our pronunciation corrected, etc. As Christians we must be keenly aware of the need of this. We must not be lazy and indifferent. God wants His people to be "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20). In an English speaking world that can not be done without an excellent knowledge of the English language. Let us try to. do everything possible to make the meetings of our Y.P.S.'s attractive to our Canadian friends!