YOUTH AND THE CHURCH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18231, 15 November 1924, Page 5

YOUTH AND THE CHURCH.

DISCUSSION AT CHURCH CONGRESS.

VIGOROUS CRITICISM.

(fsoh oxm ows cosszspomxxT.)

LONDON, October 7,

What was probably the most stimulating discussion at tho Church Congress at Oxford was that on the subject, "Youth and the Church." In congratulating the Congress Committee upon selecting this thesis, the BishopPresident, who occupied the chair at the deliberations in the Sheldonian, reflected the general impression, for the papers, in the main, were read by eager and zealous young Churchmen, somewhat impulsively critical, perhaps, in their estimate of the established order, but imbued with a confident enthusiasm in the mission of the Church. !l

Mr S. C. Neill, Trinity College, Cambridge, ' said youth was darkly and deeply suspicious I that the Church was being run by the middle-aged for th© benefit of ithe middle-aged. Until the misunderstanding was cleared up, there was no chance ti" tho Church really capturing the mind of youth. They believed the times were out of joint, that the blame rested with their fathers, and that those who wero trying to put things right were either .fools or cowards.,He was reminded of a Schoolboy who said to him the other day. "Mr Z looks after the goou chaps, and Mr Y looks after the rotters, and tho rest of, us don't get much of a look in." So with youth, if they were -not "interesting sinners." The fatted calf was killed for the prodigal,- but the ordinarily, irreligious were left out in the cold. When they entered a strange church they felt themselves regarded a 9 strange beasts, and they„did. n6't feel much? at home in their|'Eaih^s;;'Housei'';. ; The young should be fttrmd ; some activities inside the churches,' which they could run on their own lines. "Is the Church interested in the grea"t ■ thihsg- which interest us? We are passionately stirred by the iniquities, of the housing of the pooi-. by the tragedv- of armaments, by the wrongs' of oppressed nationalities. The Church seems to be terribly, taken. lip With the heating and lighting apparatus. Churclf hot Christian. . . "The sum. total,of our. ciiticism of the Church is •that, it'is not Christian'. What are we to do'if we find it a hotbed of jealousy, intrigue, back-biting, malice, and all uncharitableness ? What are we. to think when one churchwarden's wife will meet the other churchwarden's wife on church committees, and cut her*in'the' street? So long as Christians bito and devour one another and their unfortunate ministers, how can we: be attracted to the Master' Whom they profess to serve ? What are we to think when we see professing Christians gambling on the Stock Exchange, underpaying their employees, and drawing revenues from slums? It seems to us that the Church has made its own the three pharisaic virtues of Comfort, Popularity, and Success. Oan the Church not. show us something of the spirit of the Cross?" Mr 6. Nicholson, Christ Church, Oxford, said he did not believe that youth had any definite quarrel with religion; only a very small proportion of young men had arrived at a position of nonbelief, or-of indifference,/ by reason of scruples over the Athanasian Creed, or of an antipathy to Modernist Bishops. Youth—did. .noj> T ...pay_ v ™,the Church in her tenets or in her polities. The truth must be faced that the greater part of the nation's youth asked nothing of the Church—religion was a matter of complete indifference to them, so that it would be fantastic to claim they have definitely formulated "ttemands to make. The Church could not negotiate with youth.

Netid we.liave a Sermon? He asked that Christian doctrine be more definitely and more widely taught and explained. Youth, if bored ; by the service, would give tip going to church, and it seemed to him, that most of those of his age -who had' given up going to church had done so because of Sunday Matins. "Need we," =he asked, "invariably have a sermon? And, when we do, must it always be the-original work o£ . the officiating clergyman? Why was it considered lazy~to read someone.else's, such as Kingsley's or Newman's? Could not th 6 Church found a preaching order? But, whatever happens, save us from "women in the pulpit. I certain that youth is fully capable of being inspired in the very best way by- the Church of England, but this .will, never be done by sentimentality or a _ half>"*»r+ed meddling with political ideas. Neither a sermon about the League of Nations nor an interchange of pulpits with the local Nonconformist, will interest or inspire any young man or young woman beyond those who already go to church or chapel." Finally, ho, declared that he felt certain that only through Anglc-Catholioism could the Church gain the support of youth. [ Mr H. Verrier. Elwin, Msrton College, Oxford, said the.Church' opposed everything that. youth wanted. Thera was a tendency sometimes to suppose that youth was interested in nothing but food, Felix, "and football, or sex and cinemas. Youth wanted to keep straight, to bo taught how to pray -and how to serve. It asked 1 for truth and sympathy. ' ■ , After several other , such speeches, the bishops and clergy might have been pursuaded that perhaps, after all, youth did count, and was worth counting. But for their comfort the Rev. C. S. Woodward, vicar of St. Peter's, Cranley Gardens, v London, was put up to state the case against the ideals and enthusiasm of youth. :. ' , , ~ •■ , We are a little tired, he said, of the criticisms of young people and others who are verv ready to tell us what the Church ougiit to do. The young are too apt to dream dreams. So the bishops and clergy breathed again. Youth had been snubbed and driven off. , ■