RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 419, 30 January 1909, Page 13

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

INSTEAD OF CREEDS. DR. DENNBY'S'-AFPIRMATION. "No stouter blow at creed subscription has ■been struck within; recent; years than that just delivered by Professor Dehney in his latest book ("Jesus and the Gospel: Christianity Justified in tho Mind, of Christ." Hodder and , Stoughton, 10s. 6d.), says the "Glasgow Herald" in.a leading article."/;' , -'. - ; ' "During tho last generation all kinds, of evasions' of an antiquated doctrinal authority have been adopted or suggested ; in the shape of Declaratory Acts and! ingeniously devised formulas of subscription; but Presbyterianism.still has its confessional Old Man .of the Sea olinghi" about' its neck,'.obstructing' its freedom and impairing its efficiency, , if not threatening to strangle it altogether.- : .-; - Claims to ■ Intellectual Liberty.': ;■'/ .. ; "But the claims'to intellectual'liberty-"of the emancipated modern inind grow more and more irresistible every day;, it'is,safe to say. that', in spite of lall the barriers to fellowship in.".work and.wor'ship that_ are , raised by'the doctrinal standards' to which most Churches still hold themselves bound,-there is spreading ;apace iii the general heart the conviction of a; deep' underlying Christian unity -which sooner or later must como' , ! to , realisation. Discussions : .on the subject of and creed subscription usiAlly proceed "on the assumption thai, "all that is needed with.. 'a view to ,, liberty of thought and 'a ..larger: Christian fellowship js a.curtailing and simplifying of. the, doctrinal-symbols....' ;■:.■.-' ..- "In this country some, voices have.'been heard- of late; suggesting a return': to' , 'the. Nicene ..Creed ;. and in ' connection 'with'-.tho: union'negotiations that have tak'en.place 'in. Australia between Presbyterra'hs-'and Episcopalians this ■ ancient. formula , ' lias "b ; e6n' practically accepted 'as a suitable, basis for " a ■ united' Church.. But the idea of, a return to Nipaea, as Professor Denney very properly points out, however plausible it may' superficially appear, will hardly bear. looking into by. ,•;■. those •: who ■ yapprepiate. , ' the' real situation./, of /modern, Christianity.'; . ■.'-.. . Wanted, si Declaration bf'jFaith.; 'V/ _ ,-'' What the : Churches i-really, need, according to: Dr. Denndy, is nbt.a shorter breed of eitlier the Nicene or th.e-'Westminster type,. but.something radically different-^-npt:a, doctrinal symbol, but'an hou.est;;de.plaratiop ' ot faith made in the simple language, of religion; and so: he has;had.:the;.boldness : ,.to.-offer-.in ab'out a' dozen .words', ah "affirmation of essential Christianity such as he thinks all. Christian;'minds, might find themselves at one-in making. Dr. Doriney'e plea, forv.:the;, to'tal abolition of creed, subscription "as; well .as the , grounds /on which' hi?.placcs" it are • certain to ; be; keenly canvassed and criticised, , ?, concludes the .'.'Glasgow , Herald." L.""But oomingras it does'irqm id .theologian {repute who holds, a' respoßsiblo position. , in .one/of the great, Presbyterian Churches; it must, be Regarded asa significant sign.of the/tiines.''..•'.: Djv Denney's Affirmation. ■;':-/■ ■-•';.■ /:-/ • ; Dr. New, Testament; Language', Literature, :an'd-'Theolpgy-;in : - tlio : United Free; Church.'Cqllege^vGlasgow) ''and here is .his/.' Affirmation l bf Esseiitial Christ-. ■tianity":-^/' :: :. .'/■//.:^>' t ':';2:.-/! : :',: l ;/.V.; ; ; ; •'■.•■/■ "I , believe :':iri'-.Godv- through-/Jesus . Christ;. His- only Son, .Our /.Lord .and' ."Saviour." v :.;; ; - ; i/Z; //'.////;.;:' • : :'"

It is contained 'in.' -/what"/thev'-VGlasgow'. Herald " reviewer says i 5 . ,." nviriany; respects the■', most _ striking/ part, of ■' : -the , j'.booter-the authors,!indication,,in/ the?' scope- of /about, forty pages,. '. of 3; the 'I bearing- of./his A.Tvhble argument and;'proof on .the religious conditions.of the : preseiit;time../ Professor Denney makes -use or his': conclusions ■'• to" ! ' what may be described as :ETangelica'l Broad: Ohurchism.''. The findings he: has l arrived at' are entirely favourable to/those ; wh'o stand' in; the line or.historical Christianity ■ in /respeot of/ the [supreme, place it :has/alwaysigiven'.to Josiisin its living faith. ..On the other hand/ he,insists , that Broad Churchism Vis 1 in the nghVaga'inst Chris- 1 tianity which.has notilearriod t<)'distinguish' between its/religious faith and those inherited iyinbolip',f onus with; which/it is mainly Jdeii-'fafied.-s.-''". ;,:>■.' '/'--'::7.v /. : '-^ : ';:.'■/'.;■;/'V:' : Faiths our Problems. /;..' ; ■• ■;; ''% ..// y>;^. '.'Faith, he..-maintains, . must' be/free.;to raise its own problems aud,work.out-its/owri ■solutions, and no-intellectual- construction'; oftho'meaning of Christ's presence and work in. the world can properly be : iriiposey-beforehand : asa v law of/faith or a condition' of. member-; ship in the: Church. ; ' The .intellectual quessioiis which/Christianity .raises'.;should,' be' left,' -for . the. '/unbiased' '■■■--. consideration of-; ! Christian /'intelligence. /The /answers :t0,,.. these 'question's v /;'canript;/ be : ' 'lifted from' , any: quarter—riot' even.\frprii-'the New Testament itself. : The apostles; help' us , -,! by inspiring .in us'-ari intellectual, interest tiri'-'the : Gospel answering to' : their- own, hot- b'y -impds-' ing:.;their. : thoughts'.authoritatively-..upon "us our;faith.':;'.' : "■;'■■'.■- ,- : sV ■ ; ; ; -'-'-' Non-essontials -of Church Membership., :/. ."Such matters, , accordjrigly, as;the Virgin' birth., the'consubstantiality.'-of' the ; Son with the-;pathor,, -the', personality,''of.■' .the ;r 'Holy Spirit, ;w:hile ..they'will; always bo. , legitimate; and ' even; necessary'■ subiebts.'for.'Ohrißtiari inquiry aid , speculation,;:cannot, find'■ a-right-' ful place in- the-Christian >.■: jirpfessiori"' ; th"at should constitute. membership -and qualify' for office in'the Church. .And the 'Formula. Con■cordiae.'.. or .symbol of.-faith'* and unity, which the; mbderii .Church 'requires might all'.be , fexprcssed,;. Professor Denney' believes, in the brief affirmation',■•■.' I beliero in." God through 'Jesus' Christ His' ; bhly Son,;.; our .- Lord '-and ! Snviour.' '"■; ;; ",,:"■'■' 1, •V-i-The , : Glasgow ;; " Herald Dr. :Denrie} J slatest book" will : dp-'m6re-;thilnsus-. ;tain : his reputation,:' y. ,7 -. ; ;:;?.«'" -:■>'<> !.;>,#;;;

;:- ; : :; /:/;V:;:cHRISTiAN ; uiiiTYi^/^i'^V' :,•■.: -at" a^- : ' ■yr-yx■■■: ■- [BISHOP'S PALACE;.:«::;,:■ [■/.C - A remarkable:- gathering, tools: ;; place -in-' the historio.'cloister'.Jibrary 'of ;iHereford:-Cathe--draljast month, when, in respdhSe ,td'Sffih-: yitatiori from the Bishop, the';clergy and min-; isters and ;leading' representatives'.."of ;■ all-de-nominations '. resident' '.-with'in -tho'- -' diocesev as-. sembled, in connection^'with'.'.the:Milton Te) , - ce'ntenary .celebrations .which-had;been organ-' isedby Dr. Percival : ; .;.•;;' The; Bishop (Dr. Percival)" presided^V aria . was supported ..by the .Deans, oft Hereford'and Worcester,- Bishpp Mather;; : -Dr.''.w'fiofton (Hanipstead), the Rev. ArnoldThpmas : '(Bris--tol), Dr.'Harris'(ClaverloyJyVandV'tße leading I ■lobal aiid West'Country 'clergy alid;ministers;. Soiie: of the Nonconformists had travelled long distances to show their/sympathy with thfi, Bishop's . at;fcempt .to ■•put- into /practice resolutions: of thei.Lambfith.Cbri-' forp'nee with regard to th6rpromotion ofj in-ter-corn rnunion. ■-•'-•■: .'»".< -<: ,■:■ ;,-.•":'. -. ' ..;;;;.• ■In the course, of. his openirig- , address,-'the Bishop of. Hereford: said:—.'.::.: >-~i :':-•-..•,:■:.;;.•.'. ;, "I am; well aware that 'to "sdrn'e": minds vit would seem at first sight to;;bo of the nature, of a paradox. that we who' aro members of various .Christian: denominations.;should-be. meeting in the cause of godly: union and con-' cord:on the' occasion or. a Milton celebra-. tion, and' in .■'.honour, of ; his 'name,- for we'do * not forget that tm orio sideofhis lifesMilton was.'. an _ ;unsparing . contrbversialistj ■- &■: thor-ough-going .Nonconformist,' convinced )Re-, puolicaii,. and,an'nnti-Statp : Churchman". But the paradox disappears when;.we. reflect,that it is riot for this that wo. celebrate his name, although indeed'oven, this iside of his life has holped to .lift us into' tho-purer airJof a larger freedom. , , We cannot • fully ■•under-' stand him or what we.owe-to Jiim-if ■Wβ -forget that he lived in the very,i heart.of. a!time of rovolutiqnary passion, one of thoso.oritical historio , times in which both individual "and; national character'are, fused and. purified and: made, anew iu the furnaco of .conflict for con-: .'science , '.sake..'' ! ■;' '.-■' ! . : r , ' "Itis out of such a criioiblo that great : imenrise up to the full stature of their, great-' nbss, and become the iuspirerspf" their own and of-later generations. And it isbecaiiso of Milton's unique and peculiar-greatness that after three, hundred,years men of: alldenominations gladly uriito to do him honour, and to declare/their common indebtedness. If his 'soul was like a star and dwelt apart, , his voice was as the sound of waters; and it is indeed high time that;' heirs as wo are of so rich'.and varied ,J _an inheritance from the past, we should cultivate the habit of gratefully : recognising ■ the debt; we owe to the exeat souls of all denominations.'. ■

"Their gifts and their influence—in other words,, the debt wo owe them—should surely' convince us that in Tory truth the Word of God is not bound, and Hnat' , . His Spirit 1 breathes! through all : hiun4h".;Bociety with little regard to .those; dogmatic differences which unhappily loom 'so large'in the'comniou eyery-day life and spirit of most of us. Thus it, is in fact the uniquo greatness of : Milton' that we are;; celebrating, and the greatness of his gifts to our common, life, whether as- the champion of freedom, or as theprophet of the higher patriotism," or aa the sacred'poet.of our nation and bur race; and the lesson of it:all is a very, plain , lesson, which 'should not continue to bV neglected as hitherto, that as we enjpjr; in common, those giftsr—uplifting,' illuminating, purifying, strengthening, and redeeming gifts —which are poured into our life through tl\e greater personalities' of every l doriomination/or' creed; so we should learn, more truly to live in ono : spirit, .of. mutual .respect, 'and 'Vuvutual goodwill. -'':.■■•;.'. •'■ '■ /.;:'' ;■ : :■'-'-'■/' "'".' '•'■ : -: ■:■ '■ ':"•}:'' ; "In'"such "'&■ preseHce-we should learn,'".l think, to rise above our sectarian differences'; and that is why I have ventured to invite you to this friendly conference, believing that the memory of such a. gathering may' sometimes help us. to substitute forbid antipathies more kindly thoughts.and kindly feelings concorn:ing thoso ■ who ;by.other ways than burs "seek and find ,'pur common. Lord, remembering Hia prophetic promises, His unifying word—•' ' Other 6heep. I have which are hot of this fold; tbeni'alsp I,must bring, and they.shall hear'.My; voice: '■ ad they, shall ■become.;one ■flockj'Toiie Shepherd. , " ;: -■ '•"■'■:' ~ "•<./' // • /: '■;;' Speeches eulo'giatib.of ;Milton.'s writings and; influence:'were, also 'delivered by the .Bevy Arnold '.Thomas, Dr. Harris, Dr. Horton, Dbari' Moore .Ede; pf "Worcester, 'and' Dean Leigh'of {Hereford.' .Afterwards the company adjourned; to the ■ Palace, where : tea was •served. 1 !' '■■' !, r.:'' -':';.■.■' I '// ;/*.:'V -"? :; ' On'' j;he. following' Sunday a 'special ' united: ■'service', was held-iii Hereford Cathedral. Dr; ; Hprton.read .-the Lessons,'- and'the preachei; was Prebendary' : Bannister; :VV ; i ; ; ,••;;:'■;' h: .'; V ;BUSH 'Missions; : ;:;; '&.'

-.Unusual interest wasv.aroused by, a fifteen, 'minutes.', chat, _wh'ich the .Rev.. T. D.; Morgan (Prosbjterianj,' gave to;: a mooting , of, sym- ■ pathisers.with -tho Bush..Missionary. Society; at the;anhual meeting in Sydney.' ilr. Mor- "■. gan was formerly, .tbe'.ministor: of a.',chargeof \yhicKßourkev,was ;the centre; extending -300 : mileft,from' east ,to west, ...and \ a similar, dis-" south,; and nvuoh dfiffhich' .waßi the* breediiig-pla.ee' of-the dingo .and the! emu,; and the'hiding place; of per-' sons * wantedvby.-'the; poljcej .-.-HeVspbke .particularly ■bf;.' i Hungerfor,d l : ;a'crosa.the. land -border—rightly- named jt" ■ was-^wflorein,. during:the;.l2 mdnthsi.he had- it/ha hadv : never.;6oen : '.avbl?de,,9f..grass ) .,.fpr-. ! tha; ;hatdy:.;.'goat;", i 'Bear.ched!'it : /j , .out::..before.'-;it'-.-had'-. time_.to. sho\Vi itself above thii. : gfpund. ; U'Such' .a quaint;'and l, folliokwgvtown,".Jhe. said. ;"If ,t'wo."jnen-.h'ad'n.'.quar.r.el.they/climbed through: the ; dividing ;'fence j : from;- Queensland, land fought tlieir battles.out^in New ■ in. defiance./of ..the. .Queensland le'anadkwith.their'arms''on., the fence'sandonjoyed the"; f\in.:■ • Btiiltliat; out both' ways. • People frequently -wanted;-.to : : get.'■ mtifriedi ; arid ,as;noiQueensland ; minister ventured so: :far; r ,'afield.;.l. dragged '..the couples', through; the fences/and married.them;in;New. South;' Wales. , '.■' (Laughter.)-':TKen he .went, on to ' explain the; difficulties'that even.., the: mis:sipnary r ,had' ; to contend with.':' 'It he oalled at -.a- homestead- the' thing .set before him -was. the: .whisky, bottle, andif he; didnfrb; drinkhe 'was.regarded Vas.-''!dry ; thask"..- It was ..this; kindnessiithafepnllea down-,many-, of them, 1 and Mr.;' Morgan. told of .a >pathetip figure; ?\vho 'in his 7 soberer, hours gave ■a; '■ lafc torn;.,le'cture-T-withpiit ':■. his laritern—b'eoduse. kindness'.'/hadymndoneyhim/,and whisky hadhe em- : phasised there was ;a : constant i call -for/ tha. ■messengers'-of ; the; gospelj who were • rarely 'turned; T :%, ,^i}.l ;\:^ 'Wf.'■:":*?*[: v."

,; A i story/which is,.being-fold; by'.;the ; . Rev. "W. \Boydi'; vicar/of/;: AU j Saints'J ,; J{prfolk : .Squaro, .London, throws an -interesting light on /the,; events . by; : which/ well-known /tunes cbnie.'.t'p-;be>ii3entjfiedfwi]& : vpaxticiilar : .The, v tun6. which is now, Associated ',witK;ith&;,hymn,'^"Fight-'ih&Ti3obd: ; ; i pEnt,? was ,l .' originally : composed-.'by"*'Mr.7 BoydVfor "Come,vHoly Ghost,,out:Souls was-called ■■■"Pentebost;'' : --;- , ?php"dayj , .'.;says' , Mr.'-;Bbyd, J.'.'as-.;I- : wa's : /walking T Street,'rfelt'.ft'.'slap,dh'lpiy; back,.and, , 'turn, ing round, .-.1. saw my dear old .-friend,-.-Arthur Sullivan; ,•'My. dear Billy,' he. said, T have seen/a.tnne/:of iypHrg. which I:.must-have.', He' was; then. editing.,'Churoh' Hyniris. , ■'■'.. 'All right;'- I■; said,. >send ■me .-'a -cheque. arid 1 agree.',/ No...copy ;of the book,.'much/less a , .proof/-was. sent to' me,-, and/when I saw tho : tunb : I was 'horrified to : find that 'has assigned it to 'Jight; the Gobdi Fight.'. ,We had ■■ a regular '.fisticuffs'; about/it,'/but, ; jndgV .ing from' the favour .witH;which-:.the '•' tune has been received, , Ifeel'.'that ;Sullivari ; was in so mating words and music." ~': - -- ■} ■. Dr.- Wilfred T. Grenfell; the I/iyingstone of Labrador,/ who,"it is;i said>. may -lead' the Norwegian expedition .for. finding, and: opening. Andreb's reputed grave, believes that ath-: letic. success, is/an invaiuable/asset •■■t'O' a; preacher. " Christ, I -airi., sure," he. "says, 1 ?'wants:>football,, baseball, and .track/team,: men in an age when/theological'expositions, however deep and learned-,; when, orthodoxy, conventionality; or: even: correct* vestments: and.ritual, .have'-so;little attraction l^^fpr; tha young men who shall,be leaders , to-morrow.' , .. , .'A .youngminister near Now. York recently, told a local editor this ;bit of. autobiography y —" I_ have 'adopted' a;. plan, , -'- said ;he]-..'Hriiieh: I; believe -"would be", of benefit, to wany; mini*: sters. /..Perhaps it -was. inspired -by.' thb .'■ f acb that training ;was :as' ; a-.-news-;-paper/man. '/I always .-wiite', a<sermoni early: in' the; week.<v.:Theu : 1/deliver. , -it 'into: riiy phonograph,';/ arid 'let it - rest /till ; Saturday;': On' Saturday. I turn' on , .the.-'.phonograph;'and listen to-myself preach—as though-.listening. tp/ahpther!s': work./ - With .pencil/ and ■ pad -I talie,notes.as;to; : .where: ! L think the-sermoni .jveak--bi'.atleast -ivhero, it; caribe: strength-' ericd-—then';make:;th'e"revision.; in 'tiinb' ; fpr Sunday.; .11 find ,tllis plan; a" great, help to me. It's'i.wbrth■:the:added:labour. 1 ,",'-3 :■'■ : ;:'^-': ■ i;

'/■■Some"scathing criticisms of certain , features of ■■ modern evangelistic, campaigns ,have been 'contributed .by the Rev. Dr; Arthur : .T.; Piersp.n,-, an , , Americaii;preacher, .whorfor. sometime occupied',the pulpit of Spurgeoh's'Taber-. nacle-V lidndon,fto: the."Record of Christian ; Work," ,the| official": organ, of'tliQ.Northfield' (Moody,); ■, movement. Dr.; Pierson-.' bases: his; opposition on the.^difference , between.the old : evangelism as: represented by-such men aa AVesley,! \Vhitefiefdi ; 'Nettkton; : >Finney, .arid,. Moody^aiKlthat now current 'attended/with extensive'organisation," elaborate' preparation," expensive .outlay,:studied notoriety,., display•■', : 6r. statistics,: newspaper: advertising and syst • puffing, ; spectacular' sensationalism, 'dramatic novelties.,/and,:,sometimes,vdoubtful.; complication o with;,;-'secular and- political : issues." :He also Jays emphasis .on.'the fact : .that■'"-'modem' /evangelism/, .is ! : increasingly ' : costly;' that .it makes' much, of numbers, and that -• some .numerical estimates' "are mislead- ! .- •ing;.'--Mri'' , :W;.\R!-;.Moody"j'-'-d8 ; -editor:' , qf.'the:. ■'iEecord;of Christian. Work," endorses- Dr.. Piersrin's■- onslaught, ■ and points to the : spirit of. sensationalism and commercialism.- The • older type'of eyangelista,:he says;, refused to Tbargain'for. Hheir services'. :,'i'' v .?■-:■ >'■'• i■- Tho Rev.' Dr.-F. E.- Clark,, writing-iri the "British ! Weekly, "'says:—" Outside of. the - borders of America and'Europe-'tho'greatest { ..strength- of, the. Christian Endeavour Society V has , some; 2500 '.so- : . cieties.;- wlulojin'.lndia•"Wβ.' find' over 800,■ in'• .'Africa, over 70, iiv Cliiptt'4oo, in 'Japan'.lSO,' arid' in : the South Sea Islands some 200 more; . The total: nutnber-.of. societies -is now about' 71,000. -The 1 next World's Convention off Christinh Endeavour Societies will- be held in Agra,; India,-' in v November,; 1909;" ''■'.:.: ■ : : . The beatification of Joan'of./Arc was're-' cently pronoiinced by! : the;Popo, ati?,; grand ceremony in; the Vatican; .'and sho was pro-.* .claimed; ''the*. Protectress- of ''Franco. , ' - A .Eojemn ..celebration: service is torbb~.hold : in " St.. Peter's about '.Editor. ■It is , hoped ;tbat. this_ will Jbo'onlj' preliminary. to the : Canou- '■ isation ; of itKe';slaid.";."-.■..- ,: ', '- ;;'''.:•