RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

♦— — .' DR. CLIFFORD HONOURED. : THE JOHN KNOX OF ENGLISH NONCONFORMITY. ; A famour author divided the world into people who talk at breakfast and people who don't I At breakfast given in honour of Dr. Clifford's ministerial jubilee, hold at tho Holborn Restaurant, in connection.with the Baptist Union Spring Assembly, there wero half a dozen brilliant speeches condensed into forty-five minutes. Sir George White, M.1 , ., presided over a gathering in which wero tho Minister for Jiducatiou, tho Under-Secrotary for Foreign Affairs, the leader of the Labour party, Judgo Willis, Mr. Will Crooks, M.P., Sir Percy Bunting, Mr. F. J. Marnham, M.1 , ., Dr. florton, Dr. Wardlaw Thompson, Principal Marshall, Mr. Evan Spicor, tho Rev. J. E. Rattenbury, and many other representative men, ■ ';.•'" Grace was said by Prebendary Lmklatcr, tho well-known High Churchman, and letters of regret from a group of Bishops further showed tho admiration of opponents for Dr. Clifford. Sir Georgo Wliito raised a laugh in his admirable speech by saying that one of tho latest honours to Dr. Clifford was tho giving of his name to a public-house! Ho praised the optimism of his sentiments, tho loftiness of his ideals, and his enthusiasm for humanity. Ho mentioned that a telegram, of congratulation had arrived from Dr. Alexander Maclaren. .' . The Rev. J. R. Wood said there was onough in Dr. Clifford to mako six men—a philosopher, a statesman, a paster, a leader of tho people, a student, and a preacher. Ho has/ , said the speaker, "a head, a warm heart, and a great soul. ', ■_ "I venture to represent the State, said tho Minister for Education (Mr. Runciman). "Dr. Clifford is a great citizen, and he bas inspired many a man with the local patriotism which many Londoners lack. Ho has been the John Knox of Nonconformist Summing up his services, "Dr. Clifford, said Mr. Runciman, "believes that no religious man is worth his salt who does uot servo his town and country." ■ Both keeping to iivo minutes, ■Dγ. Horton and Mr. A. Henderson, M.P., added their E raise. Quoting a saying of Renan, Dr. [orton remarked that Dr. Clifford would havo been'a myth in an earlier age—a myth of porpctual youth. He said to all men," "Grow young along with nie." Mr. Henderson recalled his' own early, days in. the foundry, when two men influenced him profoundly—Hugh Price Hughes and Dr. Clifford. The veteran guest conquered his emotion with difficulty as ho thanked tho audience..lor their kind reception. "I thank you for getting up so early," ho said.:w,ith a smile. Reviewing his career humbly, Dr. Clifford, said: "I havo always believed in tho; divinity ■of the State as well as in tho divinity of tho Church.' They aro both organs for the extension of tho.Kingdom of God. My political work has been a by-product of my life—my main business has been for Jesus Christ." Ho awoko emotion by_ his tribute to "this doar wife of mine," laying his hand on the shoulder of Mrs. Clifford as he spoko. Ono of his closing sayings in a memorable speech was; "So long as I have.not to. condemn myself I do not care what man condomns me." To his Church- he owed nioro than lie could ever say for their patience and support. ■ .-.. ;'." •'■ "'

THE CHURCHES' TASK. \

DR. SCOTT LIDGETTS APPEAL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE. ■ >• In his presidential address in the Wesley Memorial Chapel, to an Master .Conference convened by tho Wesleyan Methodist .Union for Social Service, Dr. J. Scott Lidgett, president of tho Wesleyan Conference, niado a powerful appeal for a more united and fearless effort on tho part of tho churches to bring the influence of Christianity to bear upon the State. "Wo cannot restrict the Church to the narrow limits of voluntary enterprise," ho declared. "That would be to exclude it from participation in tho forward march of tho nation, would confine to. the sphere of tho second best, and would multiply occasions of dispute between it and the nation. The Christian Church, as such, cannot evade, the duty of bringing its influence to bear upon tho Stnto in order to secure tho prevalence of Christian ideals, and of tho Christiairtemper in tho national life." Tho declaration which elicited greater applauso than anything else in the president's address was as follows:—"We cannot protect an ecclesiastical promises from tho evil spirit by keeping it 'empty, swept, and garnished.' Nothing can bo worse than the assumption that wliat is said in church is not to be treated seriously outside. Tho remedy must bo found in a groat increaso of spirituality. Tho Church must more- fully realise- tho super--1 natural in order to deal with its growing ' In an eloquent passago Dr. Scott Lidgett maintained that the Church is called not 1 merely to counsel individual souls, and witness to eternal realities, but is also commissioned to set forth the truth it has received as tho spiritual foundation of society, tho guido to its progress, tho law which condemns both transgressions and shortcomings. Men, 1 ho argued, .cannot with consistency lament ' tho uuspirit'uality of the age and at the same ' timo withhold from it those spiritual prin--1 ciples of social action which aFo necessary - both to illuminate and inspire it. Tho Church ; of Christ is called to supply the spiritual con- : ditions upon which social reform may bo 1 securely based'. ■ • ; When, then, should tlie Church tako united ! action in matters 'of State? Only when a ' consensus of opinion exists that a vital in-. : terest of tho Chrietian religion is involved, ; was the'spoakor's reply. "There aro times, ' ho cried, "whon parties and Governments ' merit the condemnation of the Church. Tho 1 Church must 110 moro - quail befe-ro democ- ' racies than before tyrants, or legislative as--1 soroblics. We cannot refnso to condemn a ' sin because it is national, or to secure ' righteousness because only the Stato can I carry it out. . . For tho salvation of tho Stato it is necessary that the Church should ' bo fit to welcome and support art Isaiah in 5 his crusade on behalf of God, righteousness, " and humanity."

BAPTIST PASTORATES,

PROPOSED NEW SCHEME. Ono of tho most important sessions'of the Baptist Union in recent years was held recently at Bloomsbury Central Mission, being spent in discussing the revised schemo of ministerial settlement, sustentation, and collegiate- training. Tho first draft of the scTicine, issued at tho beginning of the year, mot with so much resistanco and criticism that tho council felt that to persevere with it would mean a loss of Baptist unity. Tho moro drastic and contentious elements woro thoreforo withdrawn, and the scheme now beforo tho churches was presented in tho hopo that it would be received with substantial agreement and unanimity. Thoro were, however, signs that the scheme would not have a smooth passage through tho churches and associations (states tlio "Daily News"). In spito of Mr. Shakespeare's protestations that tho proposals would not interfere with tho autonomy of the churches, some of the delegates refused to bo convinced, and, though the resolutions were carried in the assenibly without any opposing vote, it was plainly intimated that tho battle-ground was not the assembly, hut tho churches.

Mr. Shakespeare's introduction of tho scheme was a triumph of lucid exposition of principles. "I am not unmindful of tho gravity of my-words," he said, "when I say that under certain conditions Congregationalism becomes a menace to religion. Tho relation between a minister who longs to go and a church which impatiently desires him to go is in serious danger of becoming not a vehicle of grace, but of strife. 'JTiere havo been ages when good men have boon compelled to keep outside tho Church that their souls might no saved, and when Congregationalism erases to be the home of joy and peace and lovo the Christian lifo is safest outside, and not within." Speaking of ministers who desired a change of pastorate, ho said that 35 per cent, were seeking a change of sphere, and

in tho rural districts tho • proportion rose to 75 per cent. Tlio only fanlt of these men was tfiat they had stayed too long. Even more pathetic was tho position of tlio ICO ac« credited ministers who wero out of tlio pas* torato and had no visible means of subsistence. In .1 passage that thrilled his • hearers, Mr. Shakespeare said: "It is some-; times said that a self-respecting man would 1 rather break stonos than re-main with ft. church which wanted him to go. But I would! point out that he hae also to respect hie! wife and children, and that the stone-break-ing profession is already overcrowded" —a-l sentiment that was loudly applauded. _ I : The , changed conditions in our indnstriall and social life, ho declared, domanded a ! change in their system. Tlmbo changes had to-day made- unworkable methods which were quietly- accepted a generation, ago. "Tho result is, that in far too many districts, : not of one type, but of evory typo—in de 3 > elining villages as well as among tho- crowded and struggling masses in prosperous suburbaj —wo are ineffective; as ineffective aa if we' had gono to Waterloo with tho crosebows ofj Creasy and Agincourt." Tho suggested! remedy for this state of tilings was tho odap-' tatiou of their principles to tlio nowor ordorj ■ The scheme proposed tho formation of a vol<, untary union of clrarches in membership rwitS* the Baptist Union. While maintaining conV gregational freedom tho Federation, througM tho operation of District Councils,; ministerial settlements, committees, arid a central conW mittee, would facilitate the setUomcat anoj. changes of Wie pastors. Churches not rcceiv-j ing a grant from the Sustentation ' Fund; would bo at liberty to call to tho pastorctoi anyone on tho acoreditedliet, or a. student) from olio of ifoa recognised coUogoe. Gharoho* ' receiving aid or a group of churches aidedJ by tlio Sustcntation Fund should only oafl«/ pastor after consultation with IJho Dfetaa* Council and Central Committee. | Tho pastorate was to ally at tho end. of soven. yeara, but <&« Church should_ be at liberty to roßow fclw. call for a further period. If tv minister h&J : longing to the Federation was without , a -call the Central Committee might station him as h minister-in-olierge-foritiiroo years, oroSior-i wise provide for him for a period of notSesa . than three .years. ■ . A Sustentation Fund was to b©-formed; "tai I bo administered by 4Jhe c Central The stipend would vary from £100 to £129 for an unmarried man, and from £120 tofi £150 for a married man. Every church nna-i i ing moro than £150 per annum'for its otoj , pastor's stipend must remit to tho Central Committee a contribution equal to not kea than 10 per cent, of such surplus. To oarry , into effect these financial proposals at least! £12,000, and probably £15,000, wouto'l)© to- - quired. On respect to tbo collegiate training of tho ministers, the whole matter waste be , ' referred to the consideration of thotrnsbeos* and committees of tho recognised Baptfsfl colleges. .. ■'. ' , , ' i ': After discussion it was decided to 'xmati tho scheme to the churches and associations ■ for their consideration and report-to-tho nest I spring,assembly.'.' . ..

SCOUTS FOR THE CHURCH.

BISHOP OF LONDON TELLS. OF A NETS! ' -CORPS." < The Bishop of London, presiding over th* London Diocesan Conference at Church .' House, Westminster, referred to the Cbnrch Pageant; and said that his responsibility was limited to losing his hoy crop and lending the ground—(laughter)—but ho took a deep interest in it, because ho believed immensely ; ; in teaching through thocyo. After thanking the Government for the Children Act, the Bishop mentioned that they intended toforin a new: corps of Church scouts on tho lines I of Baden-Powell's boy scouts, of ' which Liout.rGeneral Baden-Powell will become a , patron.- . ■ Preb. Russell Wakcfield moved a resolution, approving the suggestion of tie minority report of tho Royal Commission on tho Poor Law with regard to dealing wfth ablebodied persons out of employment.' The minority 'report had been called a Socialistio document, but they were all more or Ices Socialists to-day, although they did not know it. (Applause.) ' Mr. Goorgo Lansbury, in supporting the resolution, said that a conference of that kind ought to have mndo up its mind upon ■ this subject. years ago, and ought to bo able \ 1 to voto upon it without further' oonsidera- ' tion. (Hear, hearl) 'The bulk of tho people did not care a straw for religion.. '' An 'araendmont declining to commit itself to the proposals of tho minority report was 1 carried 1)y 151 votes to 46. ' ■

JOTTINGS.

Tlio once popular practice of opening the Bible at random to find guidance in an omer- ■ gency has been prolific of coincidences. . M sober-minded Methodist once told a oontri- , butor to the London "Christian World" that when he was in doubt as to accepting appoiutment as steward of the gallery seats in ; his chapel, lie opened his Bible, and thovereo ( ho put his finger on was: "I had ratlwr be a dobr-kcepor in tho house of my God than to dwell in tho tents of wickedness," which, i of courso, made his duty plain. In. his bio- .* gr'aphy of Peter Mackonzie, Rot. Joseph, Bawson relates that he w,as himself present' at a class meeting, when a good woman rciidi that sho used to go to , the Biblo for signs ' until slio was rebuked for it. "I had receired a great blessing," sho continued, "but conW) ' not accept it as. a reality, so I prayed eaiv • nestly for assurance, and said in my prayer. that I would take tho first words my eye 1 fell upon in the Bible as my answer. I did \ do, and the words were theso: 'An evil and adulterous generation seckoth after a, sign, ] and there shall no sign be given to it , I, read tho words and I have never gone to my , Bible for a sign since."

"Politiosaro becoming tho curse of modern Nonconformity," wrote recently the liev. Dinsdalo I. Young (Wosleyan) to a Baptist • meeting in London held to form n Nonconformist Anti-Socialistic Union. ; "If this is . not arrested'very serious damage will accrue \ to the Churches. It is very unfortunate that tho leadership of Nonconformity, and especially of tho Freo Church Council, has so I largely been assumed by men of strong poll- • tical proclivities. I know that, all over the lam], many, are leaving Nonconformity on this account. In my judgment tlio Nonconformist outlook is very dark, and many share my opinion that nothing but ridding it of the political element will avail." Tho Archbishop of Armagh, whoso fatherwas tho Kev. R. Alexander; Prebendary of Agbadoe:' completed his eighty-fifth year on April 13, having been born in 1824. Ho is ; tlio senior, both in' ago and consecration, of all tho bishops in tho United Kingdom,'having been consecrated in Armagh Cathedral, j to the See of Derry and Eaphoe, on Octo- ' ber C, 1867. Ho is not, however, the senior prelate of the Anglican Communion, for Bishop Tultle, of Missouri, tho Presiding . Bishop of tho American Church, was consecrated on May 1, 18G7. Dr. Tuttlo is, however, nearly thirteen years younger than Archbishop Alexander, having been conoocrated shortly after his thirtieth, hirthday. The statistics of tho Wesleyan Methodist i Church for last year have just been published, and will be ,read with interest. The ' total membership is given as 490,744; "on trial," 30,119; junior classes,'99,o23. These ( show a shrinkage 0f.'1262 full members, 598 ' "on trial," and 910 in tho junior classes. Nearly all tho churches havo been experiencing a similar shrinkage during tho last year or' so, and it' has caused much concern among religious people. Canon Walpole, Uector of Lambeth, ha« left London for the United States, in order to give a series of lectures before the General Theological Colloßo at Now York, whore ho formerly held tho post of Professor of Systematic Divinity. Canon.VTalpole is well known in New 'Zealand, having been for some years vicar of St. Mary's Cathedral,' Auckland. . ■ '