PHILATELIC SOCIETY Hon. President:Mr. T. Metcalf. Chairman: M. J. R. Castledon. Secretary: B. G. Williams. Committee: A. Cantrell. Although our meetings have been few and far between, it Is satisfying that, at last, a start has been made. Our membership consists of about 30 boys, many of whom are juniors. Nevertheless, I hope that their interest will continue to grow and draw others into the society. On Tuesday evening, 25th June, we enjoyed the company of three members of the Philatelic Society of Natal—namely, Mr. C. Selwyn Smith, Mr. John Wicks and Mr. G. Palmer. The meeting was a great success. Between them they had a fine collection of Thematics (specialized collections on birds, flowers, etc.). The meeting closed with a competition arranged by Mr. Smith. Our three visitors were pleased with the results, some of which won prizes. The best result went to D. Cross—congratulations. M.J.R.C. VISIT TO TEMPLE AND MOSQUE On Wednesday, May 29th, a party of senior boys, conducted by Rev. V. J. Bredenkamp, and accompanied by Mr. Reece and Mr. P. Metcalf, made a visit to a Hindu Temple and a Moslem Mosque,In a briefstudy ofcomparative religions. The Hindu Temple, in Umgeni Road, was bare and plain, floor and wails being of stone, and not particularly clean. At the head of the temple were deep recesses, accessible only to the priest, in which stood various idols, symbolic of Hindu beliefs. In one stood a deity with body ofa man and head ofan elephant —the great Deity who rose from the ground and is lord of ail. An adjoining chamber contained his heart, and in the next one was a being with many heads and hands: He rose from the ground 66,000 years ago to rid the world of evil and unhappiness. In other chambers were other gods and idols. These images are washed daily by the priest and clad in coloured garments which are changed regularly. It Is difficult for the European mind to grasp the significance of this symbolism,although to the Hindu It is of deep meaning and without superficiality. We learned that the Hindus believe in the transmigration of souls. A man who has lived an evil life returns to earth as an animal or insect; after a long period of punishment he may return as a man. Great goodness can lead to a long state of contemplation, after which the soul goes to Nirvana,there to remain for ever. The Mosque in Gale Street was of a very different nature. While not overelaborate, it was beautifully kept and the whole floor of the main room—the largest in the southern hemisphere—was covered with thick carpet. We arrived during prayer time. Prayers are held five times daily and worshippers are supposed to attend all five. The men stand shoulder to shoulder the full width of the room,and to the intoning of the priest they stand, bow, kneel and squat, 228
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