RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

*— HENRY DRUMMOND. AN INTERESTING CONTROVERSY. Some controversy has arisen in England about the- late Professor Henry Drummond. Recently there was published a book on "Tho Cross in Christian Experience," by the Rev. W. M. Clow, in which there appeared tho following passage:—"A few years ago Henry Drummond, a for-ever endeared name, himself a fully consenting believer, was preaching a Gospel which did not focus on tho Cross. Hi's brilliant gifts, and his mesmeric personality gave his message a potent charm. Crowds of young men Hocked to his meetings. Tho movement has passed, and is littlo more than a tender memory." Principal Griffith Thomas, of Oxford, ill reviewing tho book in tho "British Weekly," remarked on this passage:—"This is courageously put, and perhaps it required saying just as lovingly audi faithfully as Mr. Clow has been.able to put it." These statements elicited a lengthy, letter, signed jointly by Dr. Alexander Wliyte, Sir Alex. 11. Simpson, Dr. John Kelman, Dr. George Adam Smith (author of tho "Life of Drummond"), and Rev. A. H. F. Barbour. They protested strongly against tho inaccuracy of tho judgment passed upon Drumt mond, who, they said, quoting his own words, "declared his unequivocal faith in the efficacy of Christ's Atonement. That Atonement furnished the ground and assurance of the forgiveness of sins." Moreover (they said), Mr. D. Ij. Moody, ono of tho most orthodox believers, retained his unabated confidence in Drummond to tho end. Though Drummond did not refer directly to the Cross as often as he (Moody) desired, tile Cross was tho centro of' all Drummond's preaching, as it was of his life. As to Drummond's. influence, tho writers affirmed .that it was still to a remarkable extent over a vast part of tho world, especially among young men. Other correspondents endorsed these views, adding that Drummond's books wero still being widely circulated and read. In reply, both Mr. Clow\ and Principal Thomas adhered to their statements. Mr. Clow was a student of Drummond's, has heard nearly overy address lie delivered, and still reads his books with profit. And ho quoted Drummond himself in support of his allegation that in his'preaching, lie "did .not focus on the Cross." Can.anyone doubt, 100 (he asked), that tho .movement started by Drummond had passed? Tho reason for its passing was that "no movement in which tho Cross is not central, commanding, and imperative, both in Gospel and in etliic, has Tho religion of Jesus would have been little moro than a tender memory if it had never known Calvary."

The difference between the controversialists may perhaps be explained. Drummond admitted that ho was "one-sidpd."' In a letter to Mr. Sankoy in 1892 lie wrote:—"Hun-j dreds of books and millions of tracts 'are saying these things (i.e., tlio evangelical verities) afresh every month and year., My message lies among the forgotten truth, the false emphasis, aiuWlie wrong accent. To every man his work." When he was startincr for Australia, Sir Alex. Simpson said to him, "You'll remember, won't you. when you are speaking to the young Australians sometimefc to glory in the Cross." The reply was, "I always do." The fact is that Drnmmoml was a quite unique ovangelist. who had the "wooing note" to a remarkable decree, and had very little sympathy with the business of sledge-hammering dectrinal views into peoole. ''Christianity -to Drummond," wrote "lan Msclareo." "was not'so much a way of escape from, the grin of sin as a way qt ethic.il, and spiritu-l nttctnmcnt. Jesus" was to him not an official Redeemer, discharging certainiihjigations. He was bis unseen Friend, with whom lie walked in life, by wlios3 fellowship'ho was changed, 'to whom lie prayed,"

SUNDAY.C3HOOL METHOD.

PRIMATE'S ctniI'ARISOXS AND ".piKUItES. The Archbishop of Canterbury recently declared that it was humiliating to members of the Church of England to, contrast tlio methods employed in some of the American Sunday schools with their own. In America churches of_ all denominations had outdis-. tanced English churches by far in the careful arrangements they made ?s regarded the systematic' working of Sunday schools, though it might be that tfiey were forced to attach greater importance'to that work because of tliOj absence of religious teach/ in the day schools. "It is also true," lie added, "that tlio Nonconformists in this, country have done more than the Church has done in the way of definite teaching of a sustained kind, which we are trying to start to-day. People occasionally asserted that they were living in an irreligious agd Ho did not believe it. They' were living in an ago in which religion found expression in a way. different from that which it found years ago; (Hear, hear.) ; "Do we," ho asked, "realise what a big factor in English life our Sunday schools areP Do yoli recognise' that more than onc-lifth of the whole population' of England and Wales is now under instruction in our Sunday schools?" Satisfactory figures were difficult to obtain, but ill 1833 a Parliamentary return showed that one in nine of the population was a Sunday school scholar. The latest available figures were 1906. and showed that there were six"'and a half million Sunday school scholars—moro .than one in five of the population.

Tho Sunday school teachers in England alone numbered 685,000, of which one-third or more were in the Church of England. It was a great army doing a great ivorl;, but for tho most part consisting of untrained volunteers—what ' were called amateurs Speaking generally, the fact that they were amateurs was an untold advantage, but in tho changed conditions of to-day it was essential that the Sunday school toucher should be. better equipped. Tho occasion of the Primate's address was the inaugural meeting in Blackheath Concert Hall, before tho formal opening of St. Christopher's College, Blackheath. Tlio new institution—the first of the kind in the country—is a Church of England training college for Sunday school teachers. It provides accommodation for twenty resident students, and the normal course of training will extend over ono vear.

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE,

UNITED MESSAGE TO THE NATION". A new step is to be taken byjtlie Imperial Sunday Alliance, which was formed in consequence of tlio National Sunday Movement of three years' ago. i That movoment began with a message to the people, of Great Britain signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster and the President of the National Free Church Council. Rccentlv tho Rev. Canon Ottley. tho secretary, informed a. representative of tho "Daily News" that another . message bearing the same signatures would bo published simultaneously in three hundred daily end weekly newspapers. ("The Alliance," ho said, "was formed at a' meeting of representatives of all kinds of thought and activity, religious and industrial, held in the Jerusalem Chamber at. Westminster Abbey. Its efforts un to the present have been chiefly spade work, but wo are now in a position to make our appeal to all classes of tho community.

"We have secured the adhesion of no fewer than 114 trades and labour councils and societies, in addition to-the religious and philanthropic organisations. Tho alliance is free from all political or denominational colouri Its soli) aim is the preservation in its religious and humanitarian aspects of tho institution commonly called Sunday—an institution which has boen described by ono of our foremost Labour leaders as 'a national treasure and an industrial advantage.' "

( Y.M.C.A. NOTES,

' (By H.N.H.) Tho World's Conferenco of Y.M.C.A.'s is to bo held this year in Germany, and tho Wellington Association has decided to ask Messrs. W. H. Georgo (Wellington) and W. T. Williams (If.-aviso's Bay) to represent it at tho gatherings. Mr. Theodore Roosevelt,. at tho laying of tho corner-stone of the Washington. Coloured

Moil's Association building, said: "Tliero possibly nothing more needed ill all otir citios and towns than well-organised young men's Christian associations, -which shall stand for characlor-b:iildii>|; in the threefold way ill which the association endeavours to do its work." Mr. K. J. Allan Frost, for the 'southern and south-eastern divisions (England) haa issued an extremely interesting pamphlet relating to the work of the associations in this area at the territorial encampments of last summer. Jn acknowledging a copy of this report, Mr. li, J), llaldane, Secretary of State for War, writes, under date January 22: —"I have received the report of the work undertaken by tlm Young Men's Christian Association in the territorial force camps in tho South of England in 190 S. It is/an excellent record tli.it lias given me much pleasure to read. I have the very highest opinion of tho association's infliicucc for good, and I welcome its assistance in providing for Ilia welfare of tho territorial force." "The ablest Y.M.C.A. secretary of his generation, one of tlje most useful citizens of his city, 0110 of tho most constructive characters of its churches, Glen K. Shurtleff passed away at Cleveland, January 5. Hitf fourteen years' general secretaryship in Cleveland showed the greatness of the man. He attained a position of trust and confidence such as has been enjoyed by few men in religions circles. He was a member of tho Chamber of Commerce, and was called one of its most influential men: He was an intimate friend and advisor of the Mayor and of the heads of commissions and departments. It was lie who led a group of moil in movements for the betterment of social conditions, and to his initiative was duo tho establishment of tho Juvenile Court, public playgrounds, • and many other projects for society's service. His judgment, justice, and! ability had become, so thoroughly recognised that no was named the first of tlireo to ar-j bitrato tho bitterly-fought street railway | strike, and then both tho company, and theemployees independently named him to represent thorn as the solo arbiter. He was appointed a jury commissioner, and under his 'direction tho high class of jurors selected! set; a new standard for. tho country."—"Association Men.-' "With his keen insight, the Hon; John.) Wanamaker declared a few years ago that, tho Young. Men's Christian Association had. 'a patent on opportunity'; with his clear foresight, lie selected three great s centres of tho Orient, whero this patent could bo utilised to its tho capital of Korea; Peking, the capital of China; Kyoto, tho old capital of Japan—and olforcd to ercct adequate Y.M.C.A. buildings should tho peoplo provide suitable sites. Tho £8000 building at Seoul has just been opened, and it looks as if tho movement would (;o into every city, of Korea," writes Mr. Gallon M. FisheryNational Y.M.C.A. secretary for Japan.

JOTTINGS.

Not less than.£4oo was' cleared by tha bazaar held last week in Dannevirko to\ raise funds for reduction of tlio debt on thoi Roman Catholic Church. | A popular fallacy was exposed by the Rev. i J. J. North at the anniversary soiree of tha, Vivian Street Baptist Church on WednesdayT night. Mr. North said that people whoso•, sympathies did not extend to tlioso of other , language and colour had either lost their j Christianity or they were under "the vulgar 1 mistake of thinking Jesus Christ an Eug-, lishman." ' | ' There aro in future to lie twelve deaconesses in connection with tho Vivian Street Baptist Church. Eight are to bo appointedat next Church meeting. Tho ladies chosen will choose, a secretary, and*will undertake' systematic, visitation,- and oversight of cases of poverty. • >•_ ' ; ■ At a meeting of tho Enocutiye • of" tho National CoUiicil of Evangelical Freo Churches, Jield at tho Memorial Hall, Far. ringdon Street, under tho presidency of Dr. David Brook, tho Rev. J. H. Jowett, of Birmingham, was nominated president for 1910. Tho nomination will bo submitted to the 14th annual council,'.which.'meets at Swansea next month. Mr. Jowett, ,\yho has / been ; minister of CarrV Lane Congregational Church, Birmingham, siuco 1895, has occ'u- . pied only one previous pastorate—that of St. James's' Congregational Church, Newcastle-, on-Tyne, which:-ho held for six years. Ho has made for himself a reputation in all parts •of tho country, not qnjy by his gifts of . oratory afid of exposition, hut also by his many books in which lie has persistently sought to raiso the spiritual life of tho Fred Churches to a .moro exalted plane. Ho was born in ISGJ, and educated at Hippcrholmo Grammar School and tho Universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. < Tho. Society for tho Propagation of the Gospel has taken a new departure in starting an entirely separate department for medical missions. Tlio llov. W. P/Dott, who has been for four and a half years Rector of Woodstock, near. Cape Town, has bco.n appointed secretary. There aro nppeals alroaily before the society for 33 doctors, 20 hospitals, and 21 dispensaries in various parts of tho world.. One of the most 'important posts ill- the Congregational body, lately vacated, has been filled by tho appointment\of the Rev. W. 11. Selbie, M.A., as Master of Mansfield College, Oxford. It is hoped lie will prove a worthy successor to Dr. Fairbairn; in theolog'cal matters ho may be described as a "Moderate' Liberal.'' Many ministers overseas will hear-with regret of the death of Dr. Simon, formerly of the Congregational Theological Hall, Edi:i.burgh. The number of students, who passed through his hands to pastorates not only at Homo but overseas is striking, audi all War witness to the direct mental stimulus received from intercourse with him. A most remarkable gathering has taken place at tilts Clapton Congress Hall, when lidl! Salvation Army bandmasters gathered for a week-end council with Mr. Bramwcll Booth._ There are now 1222 bands in commotion with the Army, with instruments to tho value of £120,U(J0. Principal Ifairbairn, of Mansfield College, Oxford, whose resignation is to take Effect at Easter, comes of a family which has given Dissenters tivelve ministers ill two generations (savs "M.A.P."). A miller's a'Jiiv born just over seventy years ago on tho other side of tl'.e Tweed, he found his first congregation among fanners and miners at P.ithgate, West Lothian. In those days, it is said of him, lie rose every morning at half-past five for tlio purpose of study. Ho had a consuming passion for reading'. His s first book he found one afternoon w'hile walking along Princess Street, Edinburgh. In an area below the street an auction was taking place. The auctioneer was holding up a copy of Robertson's "History of Greece," but there was no' demand for it, and tho auctioneer's eagerness' to sell prompted Andrew Fairbairn to offer the whole of his capital, which amounted to threepence. When the book was knocked down l to him, young Fairbairn run up the street and did not stop running .till 1 lie was' home again, lie read the book through, and lie has been reading and writing books ever since.

• In'commemoration of tho enthronement of Dr.. Lang as .Archbishop of York, Mr. H. Douglas Horsfall lias given the sum of £1000 to St. Chad's Hall, Durham, to found a bursary for the education of a candidate for Holy Orders. It is proposed that the bursary shall bear ,a name connecting it with the event it commemorates. A past-oral letter from the Dutch hierarchy war, to bo read in .all tho Old Catliolio churches in Holland on Sunday announcing that the iiso of the vernacular, instead of Latin, will, henceforth bo adopted for Mass and other liturgical offices by the Church-of Holland. Tho latest statistics of tho Methodist Church in New South Wales nro not regarded as being altogether satisfactory. They show an aggregate membership of 19,070, giving a net increaso of 250. Fivo of tho nine districts report increases amounting to -MO, and four decreases totalling UiG. Of tho five mission districts two report increases in nativo members; but Fiji discloses a decrease of 13126, and British Now Guinea of 28. The "Methodist" explains that tho decrease in Fiji is due to a decline in native papulation, and tho enforcement of a stricter discipline in somo of tho circuits. The Rev. Rccksborougli Smith ta.s r.ewpteil tho position of Principal of tho Diocesan School, Rangoon, Burmaii, which has. boon offered him by tho Bishop'of. Rangoon. Mr. Smith was tho first Bishop John Solwya .scholar at Selwya College,. Cambridge.-