RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

THE WORLD'S MISSIONS. GREAT CONFERENCE FOR 1910. One of tho most important conferences in tho history of the missionary movements of Great Britain and America is planned for next year at Edinburgh. It will commenco on Juno 14, and continuo for ten days. Delegates will be. appointed from every missionary society in tho world. Tho basis will be ono representative for an annual homo incomo of £2000 and over; two representatives for £4000 of income; and an additional representative for every further £4000 of income. It is calculated that this will constitute a world-representative gathering of not more than 1100 delegates. It will bo tho first conference ever held on such a scale. Tho arranginents are in the hands of a general committee composed of representatives of tho missionary of tho United Kingdom. Under instructions from this general committee, an international committee, consisting of eleven British and live American members, and three- from the Continent of Eltropo, met at Oxford in 1007, and spent six days in planning tho work and programme of the conference. In accordance with its recommendations, it has been decided that ciVht "Commissions," each having not more than twenty members, should bo appointed to make a thorough investigation of tho larger missionary problems. Each "Commission" will present a report, which will contain not only tho findings of tho majority, but a sufficient body of care-fully-sifted material to indicate .clearly tho grounds on which tho conclusions have' been reached. This material will bo in tho hands of tho elected delegates at least a month before they assemble at Edinburgh, and will form tho basis of discussion. MIXED CHOIRS. AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

A Decreo of tho Sacred Congregation of Rites has just been given which is of considerable interest for English-speaking countries (says the Homo correspondent of the English "Tablet"). Tho gist of it is this. Towards tho closo of last year a statement of tho condition of church' choirs in the United States generally, and of Now York hi particular, was forwarded from New York to ltomo for tho purposo of securing an authentic declaration on the legitimacy or otherwise of the present regime of mixed choirs. This statement sot forth that almost throughout the whole of the United States'the word "choir" meant nothing more than a small body of men and -women selected for singing the liturgical text during High Mass; this body had a special place set apart for it in the church, never within tho sanctuary, but on the contrary, as a rule, very far away from the altar; and that, finally, that if this body did not sing the liturgical text there was nobody else to do it. The question, therefore, was asked whether in view of a decreo of the Sacred Congregation of Rites issued on January 17 ("Angelipolitana"), in which permission was given for women and girls, especially when men and boys could not be had, to tako a special part in the sacred chant, the system long in vogue in tho United States might not for the future be continued lawfully. To this tho Sacred Congregation answers that, after a consultation with the Commission for tho Liturgy and with the Commission for Sacred Music, the answer must be: "l'rout exponitur, negative, et ad mentom," and a note explains that the men arc to be altogether separated from the women and girls, everything unbecoming (inconvenieuti) being avoided, and the responsibility in these matters being charged on tho ' conscience of tbo Ordinaries.

An authority who was consulted for an interpretation of this reply, was told some-1 tiling like this: Tho Sacred Congregation docs not forbid mixed choirs of men and women substantially as they exist at present in English-speaking countries; it simply insists that instead of. the present custom of having tho men singers and women singers together, they should be entirely divided, tho men occupying one part of tho "choir" and tho women the other. There would really bo no difficulty at all in bringing all church choirs within tho rule laid down by this decree. Mixed choirs of men and (Women are forbidden, separated choirs consisting of men on ono sido and women on the other, aro not forbidden—at least not forbidden by this' answer. The prohibition of the congregation seems to dwell altogether on the division of persons, and has apparently nothing to say to tho union of their voices. If this explanation bo tho truo one, it will go far to solve one of the greatest difficulties connected with the observance of the Holy.Father's.Motu proprio on Church Music. But the correspondent assumes no responsibility for it.

NEW ARCHBISHOP'S POLICY. Tho Archbishop of York has been on a visit to Sheffield—a stronghold of the Low Church party (says tho "Christian World") —and in responso to an address from tho, clergy ho said ho especially valued the warmth of their welcome, considering that many of them differed from him on points of doctrino and worship. It was easy to exaggerate thoso differences, but it was useless to speak as if they did not exist. Every thinking man must think out his own position in theso matters. But in regard to his duties as bishop ho could say with all his heart that ho was determined to know no man after his party or his school of thought. All ho asked of every man was that ho should do his best to save tho souls of the peoplo and to elevate their life. Beyond that they need a large-hearted spirit of toleration in the National Church. There were limits to that toleration, for the Church had a mind of its own, expressed in two words, "Catholic and reformed." But that mind, though definite, was also roomy and hospitable. What they had to do was to study the points and principles of difference with a candid and charitable mind. They had all to loam from one another. Dr. Lang urged his hearers to rise abovo mere.' Congregationalism or parochialism, and to work as one body for the evangelisation of tho great masses without. Y.M.C.A. MOTES. HAUL A groat Y.M.C.A. Easter tournament is being organised by the Australasian Associations, to bo held in Sydney. The competitions includo orations, essavs, impromptu speeches, tennis, debates, cricket, swimming, athletics, gymnastic competitions, singing, pianoforte playing, and elocutions'. The star attraction will be the Marathon race (26 miles 385 yards). There are large entries from Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Ilobart, Perth, Bendigo, and Ballarat. An important Bible Study Conference is being arranged by the Wellington Y.M.C.A. to ba held next Monday. The conference will bo open to Bible-class leaders, secretaries, and Bible students, teachers of boys' and young men's classes, and superintendents of Sunday schools. The chairman will bo Mr. H. W. Kcrsley. A round tabic conference will be addressed by tho Bov. A. Dewdney on "An Adequate Policy of Bible Study for Young Men and Boys of Wellington." Tho addresses at the conference following will be delivered by Mr. H. N. Holmes, on "The liclation of tho Association to the City Bible Classes"; the ltev. J. Heed Glassqn, on "Tho Need of Personal Bible Study"; and the Rev. J. ,T. Franklyn, on "Tho Need of Organised Croup Bible Study."

The president of Iho Italian National Council of Y.M.C.A.'s writes:—"The association work in Messina is destroyed. Signer- A. C'hauvie, who was at the head of it, and was working with enthusiasm and success among the young Sicilians, was crushed to death, with his young wife and their little hoy. Many Y.M.C.A. members have been cither killed or severely injured." The new president of the London Y.M.C.A. is the Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird. This announcement has been received with great satisfaction throughout the association world. The London organisation is just embarking on its large enterprise of erecting a homo for young men suitable to the world's metropolis, at a cost of £l,iO,00l). It will contain ameng other things several hundred bedrooms.

"Christianity to tho young men must be such as will find its creed in deeds." said

Dr. Gunsaulus, Chicago preacher at tb» Indianapolis Y.M.C.A. Convention. "Tlicrol is nothing in tho realm of thought that can-1 not bo supplied in tho realm of docdß. Your; moral motive power cannot ho ono thing audi your moral ideas another. Tho Christ that saves us must guide us. Tho Y.M.C.A. must stand plcdgtd to a heroic manhood." Jlo also said, "Is there- any religion that will pass muster that will neglect tho boys?" Tho Wellington Association has invited Mr. J. J, Virgo, the general secretary of tho Sydney Association, to sing and speak at their seventh anniversary festival, to 1m hold next September, Great preparations arc being made for tha hoys' camp, to bo held at (Haiti during tho Easter holidays. It is estimated that upwards of 200 lads will bo under canvas. They arc charged tho nominal fee of 4s. Cd. and Cs. Gd., which includes rail faro and all expenses for the four days. Tho Wellington Association has tho lionxur of holding tho record in boys' camps in Australasia. The local association is sending a foot' hall team to Wangauui, and tho senioi hockey team will visit Levin at Easter. ,

THE HEBREW TEXT. In a room at the British Museum, Dr, Ginshurg, tho famous Hebrew scholar, is at present engaged on a great work for tho British and Foreign Biblo Society. It is an attempt to sccurojtho best Hebrew Bible that has yet been issued in print;.and, in. tho words of tho R-ov. J. H. ititson, ono of tho secretaries of tho Biblo Society, "it is of tho utmost necessity that tho most accurately printed edition of Jacob ben Chayim's' Mass'oretic text should bo placed at tho disposal of students and translators." Dr.i Ginsburg has not only undertaken to edit' tho text, but has placed attlio service of tho, society tho results of, his latest studies in,' tho Massorah. Mr. Crayden Edmunds, of tho Socicty'i Translation Department, who is taking a deep personal interest in tho new work, told a. "Daily News" representative that tho text of tho great Jewish scholar, Jacob ben! Chayim, will bo printed without change, except as regards tho correction of obviouserrors as indicated by tho manuscripts which Dr. Ginsburg has examined. Answering a suggestion that tho society should go behind tho traditional text, and through-tho great versions, and get as near as possible to tho actual words of tho Old Testament writers, Mr. Edmunds said:—"l do not seo that wo can hopo to do anything maws than wo are attempting at tho present timo. Tho Septuagint is a Greek translation, tho text of which is far from being fixed in. its minutiae., There are so many variants that two scholars' aro at tho present timo engaged at Cambridge bringing out a critical edition of tho Scptuagint a fairly accurate test that we could rely upon, tho only way of using the text for the purpose- of tho Hebrew Biblo would bo to rc-translato back again, and in, tho majority of cases no two scholars would! agree as to what ought to bo the Hebrew) behind the Greek. Now, Dr. Ginsburg isi engaged chiefly on tho Massorah,,and your, l readers must bear in mind that'the Massorah is not tho text itself, but tho mass of critical and other notes concerning tho text."

NEW BOOKS. The Bishop of Birmingham (Dr. Gore) in his New Year message to his diocese commends two new books to the attention of churchpcople: Mr. .Androws's "North India," which he designates "a most stimulating book •about missions," and Adolf Hamack's new book on the Acts of tho Apostles ("Apostelgcschichtc," Leipzig). Dr. Haruack is not an orthodox scholar, says the bishop; ho may, therefore, bo supposed to carry the conclusion that tho Acts—which used to bo tho sport of German critics—is an historical \vork of the highest'value, written throughout bv tho beloved physician and companion of St. Paul, and when ho even finally appears to.inclino to the belief that it was written before St. Paul's death, after tho conclusion of his first captivity at Home. .Tbo book is full of interest, especially in its treatment of tho fifteenth chapter. Harnack's new book, the bishop has reason to believe, will appear very shortly in an English translation. In calling attention to a list of cheap theological books, drawn up by tho Rev. R. B. Thompson, vicar of Boldmere, for tho use of members of a branch of tho C.E.M.S., tho bishop says, "it is really encouraging to find lion large a sale there is of books of solid divinity at a very popular price." ' Examining this list, which includes nearly seventy, books and pamphlets at prices from Id. to Is., arranged under tho headings "The Bible," "Doctrine," "Apologetics," "Church History," and "The Prayer Book," one is fairly surprised at tin ground covered by a libraryof authors, wli« nro most of them distinguished authorities upon tho subjects of which they treat, whictf may bo acquired in its entirely, for some 55 shillings.

JOTTINCG. Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman leaves America ot March 24 to conduct his mission in Austra* lia. Ho will bo accompanied by his daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Alexander, ] four other evangelists, Mr. Alexander's com-i' poser and accompanist, and a journalist re-i presenting press syndicates. A roviscd order of funeral service, containing an appreciable amount in English, besides tho traditional passages in Hebrew, has been prepared by Rabbi Cohen at tho request of tho Board of Management of tho Great Synagogue, Sydney, and is now being printed for tho use of congregants and other mourners. "I don't believe," said tho Rev. John Sinker, vicar of Burncside, in announcing his Lenten arrangements, "in a clergyman always preaching in his own church. I don't forget what a vicar ouco told his bishop. He said, 'My lord, I have preached every. Sunday, morning and evening, in my church for forty years.' To this the bishop quictlj replied. 'Poor peoplo!' " Evan Roberts was in London last month, prophesying a revival. Ho was speaking in connection with a conference for Welsh, peoplo on "Tho Messages of the Cross," and urged upon congregations and ministers tho ' need of greater obedience to the Holy Spirit. "Another revival is coming," lip said; "God is moving, and 1 can. see the progress of tho movement." Ho was interrupted, in truo Welsh'revival style, by a lady, who prayed, long and fervently for the fulfilment of tho prophecy. Tho Bishop of Tasmania.raises tho question in the "Hibbert" Journal as to whether tho Old Testament is a suitablo basis for moral instruction. "Many of the passages in tho ' First Lessons,' " ho says, "clash well-nigh insupportably with thoso in tho ' Second Lessons. AVo are still slaves to imperfect theories and worn-out preconceptions. It is bad enough to raise such moral discords in acts of public worship. It is still worse to set vibrating such moral discords in what Plato calls ' the tender souls of children,' which, 'like blocks of wax,' aro ready to take any impression and which aro so quickly deformed and distorted.". Tho "Daily Mail" publishes a striking sketch of Mr. John R. 'Molt. "Mr. John It. Mott," it says, "stands alono in tho student world. His namo is not perhaps well known to tho great mass of the general public! but his influence is far flung, permeating a _million lives in strange and faroff lands. 'No man, perhaps, has ever compelled attention from so many undergraduates.' No man has ever familiarised himself with tho life of so many colleges and universities tho wide world over. He is forty years old and an American, but ho feels tho throbbing pulse of tho universities of Japan, China, India, Australia, and Europo as surely as that of his own University of Cornell." Mr. Mott is the founder and secro.tary of tho World's Student Christian Federation, a wonderful movement, with limitless scope, crowing and growing year by year. Ho is the lifo and soul of the federation; ho moves from country to country, from continent to continent, knitting together tho students of the world into an inspiring hotly of men and women, to whom nationality is no liar to unity, to whom spiritual fellowship is, and must bo always, stronger than racial differences. Mr. Mott has been called tho Watch Tower of tho Missionary Movement. Ho is more than that; he and his federation bid fair to become an International Education Bureau. He has a vision of tho world for Christ, and no opportunity for tho ir.trodu.'tion of Christian culture into tho lands of the Orient oscapes his statesmanlike grip of tho situation.