RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 645, 23 October 1909, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

TRIBUTE TO DR. CLIFFORD. / DE. AKED' AT; WESTUOUHNE ■■ PARK . ■. • . . ' CHAPEL. ' At the Wcslbourne Pork Chapel on September 5, the Rev. Dr. C. V. Akcd, of- New York, addressing, the congregation, said:—"l", congratulate you upon- what you have 'Uon'o'.- here, and share your, happiness.. I praise you'for all that loving hearts and ..willing hands have performed and generous souls' 1 have accomplished. The very namo of Westbourno Park is dear to men and women over all the earth. It is not only the I'rce Churchmen of Great Britain, hut all the progressive spirits throughout the ends of the earth, men and womenwho love the light, 'who rejoico in .'the influences which have gone, forth from this place through the inspired and inspiring ministry of our dear and beloved leader. Every (lay of our. lives we thank God for Dr. Clifford." . ... .' .In the course of. his address, which was an encouragement to the worshippers to boar their sorrows manfully, Dr. Akcd said life was very hard'.;for men and women in this world, llie strife;of tho' market, the battlo of the streets, the competition of men and.nations, all grew heavier as the years went by.' llopo.iin. the morning, strugglo at noon,'disappointment: at night, then,' with-the dawn.of morn, renewed energy for the battle. So it went 6ii day after . Who did not know the accustomed: round, of city life, or the thousand and one trifling anxieties which went .to make up the. wear and tear of a woman's existence?. The strain was common to all of. them; But, commonplaco though it was,-it left.room. for the. humblest to. be, heroic bv-remembering that .sorrow, like joy,' was a privilege, and that it' was. not an emotion.to bo given away to selfishly. _• _~ - ■Seated beside the preacher were Dr.'■ Clifford and the Rev. J. H. Shakespeare,. M.A.,,secretary of the Baptist Union' of Great Britain, and Ireland.- .■-..■ .... ■■■ . ~--. :•'■'•' ' Dr. Akcd, who is only forty-five years of.ago, was formerly pastor of Pembroke Clinpcl, Liverpool. He is now in charge of the Fifth Avenue Baptist-Church,'Neir York, where ho counts Mr. J. D. Rockefeller among his congregation.

BISHOP GORE AND CANON HENSON. The .incident, of Canon Hensley Henson's. appearance in tho pulpit at: Disbeth institute, Birmingham, last March; in spite of an inhibition bv tho Bishop, of Birmingham, and Ins subsequent passage of arms with Dr. Gore* has been .closed by the withdrawal of tho Bishop from the,arena. This happy ending to what, promised to be an edifying strugghvin the-courts is indicated by Bishop Gore in .the followine letter which he. ..has- -addressed ,to Canon • Heiiion: — . v -'■'■' ; '-.. : '. My dear HcnVor.,—T. see thai you .are home again; 'and I see also that you have made, some, allusion to; probable action-on my;,part with regard to wha't occurred just before Easier when yon' loft. England. , It was undoubtedly mv intention then to proceed .against you in the Court of. Arches 'for what wns,.:'in my opinion, a serious violation of h fundamental principle of our ..Church administration; and, accordingly, immediately after Easter, I consulted lawyers, and 1 .was assured by them; that my silit should be successful. : But time has. passed; nnd I'.find-that I'-'cannot, bring mvself to believe that itV'is .my. duly ,to revive the matter.' I.am' writing', therefore, (imply to fell vou that I-'havcJet tho mater drop, and am going to do nothing ours, etc., ' '■■■'••'. ' . ,C. Birir,ingham. . ' this letter Canon Henson has. replied ■ as. follows:— -( - '. ■'■•'•"' ■ 'r"My dear Bishpp—l have to thank you for your letter announcing to me your decision to take .no further steps-in connection with * the cpirode in Birmingham . last -March. "In .view-of the important public';interests which appeared- fo . me "to bo at stake,'.and which alone .determined' my action,' I think' you will allow that I-may-fairly request you to ooramunicate your, decision' to ■ the press, r,o that the public may-understand, that; the'.incident is sit an end, a(id I. may. be" restored to- n .normal' condition-instcadifcf' beiiig'.sUp-pesod.'-to'. bo .'nnder.'the'iDanioclcs sword of prosecntiqh, :. On personal'grounds-J do.,not thinkMliat-.T. neccivrefrain.,from'.-saying; that I am -glad not -to have- the prospect; of'fighting ■ you- in.-: the Courts. -Deeply as; I' differ from'your .ecclesiastical policy, I'havo never at .any.'-time .felt for'you personally .any other feelings than .those „of affcctioni'i and.iinutho future, wherein-1 sop a-vista.-.pf fliot between .us oni-the n'reria of public discussion'. I cannot imagino myself having. any .other, ! ,feelings' towards you.' ,Tt is tKe ; pathos -jot the'rtragedy of .the world one's.pnblic diity'so 'rnrelj".coincides',' with tioris.! Our,"'American experiences, '.were '.most 'interesting; -. Thc/.-YeUowstonc. an(l,,,tho Rockies are indeed marvellous. I" am glad to have s;«n it all,—Tours ever, . -

i..','-....'' . "W.; Eensley HenMii." It is M.sy to believe (says'tho 'TDaily. News") that- irf abandoning against'. Cnn'oii HcHsou'; ,thp' ¥ Bishop, 0f... Birmingham' was following the dictates of: his own, personal Reeling; Dr. Gore is renowned for'the breadth of his ecclcsiasl.ical"policy.' •;It may' be: remembered that, shovtly/'afte'r going to -Birmingham,'- ho paid: a glowing,'tribute, to'tho'.work: and, influence of Dr. Dale, in that city. It, is-no secret'that Br.:.Gore is profoundly-dissatis-Sedwith.: Chnrch;law as-it stands.. He has expressed a 'belief ■ that'-"the i'law shorild.be so : amended ■as to endow,'nchurch.'with''the right of progress, though,-at"-tho same' lime, a community'must be secured against passiiig wave's of feeling.", ■'■'■, ....

UNION OF GLASGOW CHURCHES. ' Some of the unions in the United < Free Church; have; been accomplished .with considerable' friction, but there'ihas-..been one;;-very, morked'esiocption in the -union of. St. George's V.L'..: Church, Glasgow, with''St.-.Peter's 'V,Y. Church.- St. ' Peter's Church had'among'its ministers.Dr. AVilliam' Arnott"arid-.Dr. George Macmiilan. and the Rev. James Brown,has occupied the pulpit since 1880. - Of; late years' changes iu the district have made.tho; position increasingly difficult. St; George's .Church was ministered' to by Dr. U. t S. Duff, w,ho '.died recently.' The office-bearers of tho two congregations have decided most 'harmoniously to unite in St. George's Church under.the pastorate of the Rev. James Brown. Large congregations' assembled on Sunday, when the Itev.'. Oavid Christie, of St. Matthew's,'-and Professor Stalker preached. -Both paid high'-tribute to the action of the congregations'and the trusted laymen who led' them-. ■ Mr. Christie said:. "At tho same time- these laymen were forward to confess ■ that a powerful, factor making (or union-was the strong and tender personality 01 tho minister of St. Peter's." Professor Walker who is an intimate friend.of Mr. Browns, said that tho action by which two congregationa came togother spontaneously.and.did the work without waiting for courts or committees, could not but fail to have a favourable influence ou the'general process.', "And one • thing more isworthy of special remark—that what; in other cases has proved the greatest obstacle to union has in this one facilitated, and one may say occasioned .it."for". nothing) in- this union, is moro gratifying to tho Church at. largo than the "ure way in which Christian instincts of discerning men have found out the merit which was not conscious of itself and crowned with honour one who, in a long life of mover thought of, honour, for himself, but only of the-claims of duty and : the welfare; of others." .. ... .-.. ■■ ■ ,-'-.-/ .

LONDON WESLEYAN MISSION.

The Rev W. D. Waters; general secretary of the London Wosleyan Mission,-has issued his annual report. .This is ,the last report that Mr; Walters will, prepare, as he retires from ■'■ the secretariat in favour of •the Rev. Simnson Johnson. In connection with, the SO sisters. 25 lav agents, 40 buildings in which from 25,000 to 30,000 peoplo gather every. ■ Sunday. The branch that : looms ■ largest in the pn'blic eye is tie: West London, under tho ,superiutendency of the Rev. J. E. Rattcnbury. Mr' Walters states that tho fanances have been kept up'with much difficulty, so that the genoral fund reports, a small debt, but.much larger funds are needed to meet the over-grow- j ing° necessities of tho great city.

CHRISTCHURCH ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.

The inauguration of what is, interiornlly, a great addition ■ to the Roman Catholic' Cathodral at Christchurch, was the occasion' of an impressive ceremony oh Friday, October U when a magnificent set of stations representing the "Way of the Cross" was solemnly blessed I and erected by Ins Lordship Bishop Grimes, assisted by the Sev. Dr. Kennedy amr Rev. Father Dnull (African Missions).. .: Bishop Grimes briefly explained ihe origin, nature, excellence;' and salutary effects of tho. dcypI tion as representing the priuoipal scenes of I the-passion and death of' Christ.';.ln the erection of the stations the direct' permission: of •the Sovereign Pontiff.'is -necessary,. and .this i had'been granted to his Lordship.... In solemn procession the stations.were, carried, and: one erected at each allotted place around, tho cathetunli' and appropriate meditations were made before each 6tation, after'being' placed'in pbei•'tion'is' prescribed' by" ths'ritual. Liturgical

hymns proper for the occasion, including tho "Veni Creator," " Vexilla, Kegis,".; "Stabat Mater,".-nnd finally tlio beingsung by thochoir. ■' At' tho "conclusion of tho • ceremony the Bishop gave'- the 'blessing.-with a precious relic of the trim, oross,. which • was afterwards presented to the veneration" of the faithful. TII2 stations are. oil paintings, .massively mounted in' oak .frames' in .styles appro-' priatc to tho architecture of tho cathedral. Gilt lettering and numerals denote the particular subject of. each station, and being affixed to the walls asdecrced. show "out. beautifully against tho white background.': A. devoted parishioner,, the Bishop explained, cd permission to secure the sot for erection, to replace those of a much smaller size so long in position, and bad littles difficulty, in secur? ing fourteen members-of tho:.congregation, to donate one each as representing the total num; ber. ! THE TRADES UNION CONGRESS SERMON. The forty-second annual Trades Union, Coil' gross was held at Ipswich in ■ September, and the official congress sermon was.,preached.ia St. I Nicholas Congregational Church, by : the Eov. John Glecson. There was a largo congregation, including several of the Trades llniin leaders, and the preacher's remarks wore frequently punctuated with applause- (says the "British Weekly"). In,' tho course of his sermon on "Christ and Labour," Mr.-Glecson welcomed tho delegates, and, said their" presence at the sen-ice would give an impetus'to bring back the masses to-the Church and the Church to Christ. It.did not require much keenness of observation to note two departures. First, 'there, had been a great departure of the masses of the peoplcof this country from the organised churches of Christendom. A. second departure was that of tho Churches from Christ. Could these two departures be reversed? .■ 11 o thought they could.. There was a longing: to make modern Christianity a faithful reprcs!ntation of that of Christ. '.They wero .driving them back to the citadel of love and life, lie believed the Churches were returning to Christ. It was a mistaken-idea to think, .that; tho masses, who had left the Churches, had forsaken Christ. They-.had forsaken certain iorms of religion, certain antedeliivian dogmas, nut. do not imagine they had left Christ. J.o namo was sn-revered as that of Christ. At. the close Mr. Glecson said Christ and'labour should not be separated. Apart, the great. Labour movement, which was,awakening to a scuso or its tremendous'power, would become,a giant-body without a will,'and would end mn cataclysm. But if Christ were King, He would still prove irresistible. - ./ ' '..

..:"'■ QUAKER MISSIONARIES' ADIEU. A largo number of friends and members of the Friends Foreign " Missionary : Association assembled in' the Meeting House, -London, on 'September 2, to bid-farewell to a company of missionaries retuming-to foreign-service. Mr. H..Lloyd Wilsou, clerk of the yearly-meeting, presided. .'-■ ':". '■■■.' "'' .-:■■' ,' ' i'ilr. Marshall M. Fox,., who, with' llis .wife,is going to Syria,, spoke,of-.the influence on his life of the Gloucester I'riends'- Meeting, and said'he had unbounded faith in tho deepest meaning' of the /command,-." This is. tho wav, walk vo therein,"-and though, ho regarded his prospective work in Sf-ria as'the most difficult task ho had-yet undertaken, ho ■wont forth full of coniidenco in tho .possibilities of tho Turkish Empire.'..'. ■';' ', Mr. Bernard Wigham, who is going to' China to take charge of tho business sido of the mission, Mr; and Mrs. Alf., Taylor,'; Catherine Dixon, and Dr. Jos. Eobinson, each of whom is'returning to the:'sph6ro- : 6f labour in India, spoke of tho needs of thoir" respective stations. Dr. Eobinson said ohe'of-tho'grcat encouragements of his work was the sympathy and cooperation of 'tho. missionaries •■•belonging,;.. to other denominations. ■■'..:'."■ '.'•'"..".'";'" ':■ Miss.Louisa'Corriord, of Madagascar, said she had been told that missionaries were most persistent, beggars. The accusation ,was>.true, but their asking was not for'.themselves; it was to'enable them to carry on. the ..work.of tho King of Kings.'. Hot'work in Madagascar during tho' last live years; had lieen'to her nil experience of. the most joyful; character; , ~ - ; .Mr. Isaac'Mason,-'of-;Wcst : ' China, said the district in which ho.worked.required, at,-least 1000 'missionaries-touring-the'.staff 1 equal to that of, one.',of the Brtish episcopal . -I Dr." ; -\y, h. Davidson,. a, medical missionary returning, .to work-in ■ .C.hiiiaV,'.: described'/the Chinese. people- as patient,. sobers industrious,. 'cheerful, nnd courageous/..''He/'predicted that .China -would becorno,'the';.greatest;'.nation.;.on the face of tlie>artli.' •'. -■-■"'' '*'■'~ "' -.•■-

'■ Mr,'E. Andrews gavo : a .valedictory, address, and said tho, Friends coiild not yet .fay' with John Wesley '.'.The world is toy parish,"'hut »fchoy 'wore :doinjj.'t!fciP'>tet' l 'to''carry'-the Gospel to a few parishes in different parts qf,:th.c .world. ' He felt hiirniliatc'd when ho'roiwrnWred that Groat, Britain had refused: the right of citizenship to'.'tho nionj of colour iu South' Africa.''.".'.'..... ■■■-.'"'. '- .''■""" '<:•'' .'■• ■:'■■ ■*;<[

..'; ' WESLEY: AND TOM; PAI.NE. : - "Some,interesting letters have - passed'between Mr. A. T. Quillor-Couch, the Cornish novelist, and. n correspondent on the .subject.' of.' certain expressions put into the inpiith'.of Jqhui Wesley in. (he book,' "Hetty ;Wo'sloy." ; .. Mr. ' Quillois Couch-,was asked what.autbbrity/lie had for 'attributing to John'■'Wesley "tho 'belief that other .planets are inhabited,: as expressed in tho following,words: "For aught wo.know tho Son of-God may pass along the.heavens adding martyrdom to martyrdom, may oven at. this .moment be'bound on a cross in "some unseen planet, surging, around,: one iuthis, multitude of stars"."; In his reply, T 'o".confessed that the 'idea' was, his own, "impudently attributed, to ,ihat,great-man. It is" one of. the'few., licences I allowed myself in,a story pretty closely historical. ; At, the time of. writiugit seemed to nio' a. thought not unworthy of him.?' '~

To this ''Q's" questioner, a Cornishman in London, replied that the sentiments were those of the-anti-Christian reformer, Thomas. Painc, and after hintimr.that the'words were borrowed from Panic's "Age. of Reason," suggested'that they. should, bo omitted from .future editions. Iu answer slr. .Quiller-Cpuch s(atos_ that ho nover read Paine's "Agopf Reason" in bis life, 'and adds that the' thought .'that other, worlds than' ours may be peopled by'souls Crying, out for Redemption, is not an igrioblo'thought, nor is it unworthy to have occurred'.to John Wesley. .He. will certainly not' expunge 'it from' future editions of "Hetty Wesley."': :

-.'..'- JOTTINGS.- • \ There is to'bo a great united Christian demonstration against the rule in the Congo on November. 19 in the Queen's Hall, London? The Archbishop of Canterbury will take,th.d.*chair, arid among tho speakers.will bo tho Hishop of Oxford, tho Rev. G. Silvester'llorno/'and Dr. Seott, Lidgett. . A-,number of ■Anglican and Preo Church leaders will be on th6',platfonu.'.,. The next Edinburgh Gilford Lecturer will- be Jlr. W. Wardo.Kowlor, M.A;;' of. Lincoln College, Oxford. He is to deliver two-courses of ten lectures 'each on "Therßeligious Experience of, tho Roman Pcoplo from tho Earliest Time to the Ago of Augustus." The first course, . which ■'begins ' next month,,..will deal more specifically with "Tho Development of the Religion of th<s .Roman City-State.".: '-, : :,', !• Atthe present time thore aro no fewer' than .3157 sermons of • Spurgcon's in print,' ! of which over a hundred million copies have been sold, while tho stock of unpublished, manuscripts, is sufficient to maintain the' weekly' publication for the next ten years. ' Though seventeen vears, have passed .'since the .death of Mr. Spurgeon, the - demand for; his sermons continues in a' remarkable .way,. orders for .them .being received daily .from all parts ' of. tho world. ~..'■■ ■■.' *•■- ;- 'V " ,'' ■, ; . Tho following world statistics concerning.- the Salvation. Army aro of interest:—Corps and outposts,. 8224; .officers, and employees, 21,185; local officers . (unpaid)/ 52,789; bandsmen (unpaid), .20,325; slum posts, 130 j-day schools, 523; countries■ and colonies,"Mi;".publications, 71; weekly , and. monthly., .circulation,;; 1,100,920; languagos Gospel preached in, .31; social institutions for tho poor,: 8J0; officers and employees in charge,-2451; cheap-meals to'the hungry (12 months), 9,867,509; cheap lodgings'', for the weary (12 months), 5,702,416. ~,,-..■ : ■ The union of tho : Jfethodist,'Presbyterian, nhfi' Congregational Churches in Cariada~is almost certain to bo consummated in. tho.; course of another twelve,; months, states" a well-in-formed visitor from, that country, who was recently in Wellington. Everything seems to point in that direction. It may appear, when • the matter is submitted- to congregations, that a certain amount of resistance will bo offered to them, aud if thero should be. only.n small 'majority in favour of union the leaders' of tho moveme'nt mav think it wiscr'to delay the final transaction. ,'On the other hand, the- feeling among the ministers, and assemblies, as far as can bo learned, is very considerably in favour of tho movement. If union to this extent is accomplished in Canada, it.will exort a marked 'influence upon the movement. in Australasia. In Australia a progress report has been received by the Presbyterian Assembly; in New Zealand the matter is hung up for. the.present, but those interested in tho movement aro sim-nl,-'biding their time, and will revive tho '.question nt. thoTirstiavourablo .opportunity. , , Dv.' Eliot lias adviseditho : 'critios: of■ his-ro-cent pronouncement On "The, religiou-.of tbo fuiur«"'to wait for tho publication'-of..the'full text of: tho address; iu ,tho "Harvard Thcplpgical Review" for October, He adds; tho opmlpn, in a letter to oneiof his correspondents,,.that ,"Josus will be in the religion -of? the .'future •not.less, but'niore. than'i.m'the ChriotiaMtrof 'the'past":r ; ;,' : ;: \---y-'■*:':• '■';;;'";- ■.'■;■".•*" ■'"■''.'" ■'.:■