Sir, - I attended Sandymount Presbyterian Church as a child. I will remember for ever Rev John Scott Crockett and the Campbell family who taught me in Sunday School. These people were respected by all denominations in the area at a time when the word "ecumenism" was not part of our everyday vocabulary. Why? Because their Christianity was based on the command: "Do to other people as you would have them do to you."
Sadly, we left Sandymount when I reached teenage. We joined another congregation where I went through Bible Class, Girls' Brigade, Girls' Auxiliary and finally became a Sunday School teacher. However, I never found again the spiritual aura of Sandymount Church.
As I stood in teeming rain grieving for my loss I was amazed at the number of people who shared my grief and spoke of the beautiful aura which surrounded "our church". These people were not Presbyterians - just sensitive Christians who were shocked at the brutal way the building was demolished: smashing beautiful windows that cannot be replaced, driving the angel of the church away!
As I read T. G. Lockhart's letter (September 22nd), my anger turned to pity for his blindness and insensitivity. We may be dewy-eyed idealists whose dream was shattered by those who tread on other people's dreams. But it is mindless insensitivity which is closing the doors of churches. - Yours, etc.,
Hazel P. Smyth, Trimleston Gardens, Booterstown, Co Dublin.