RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 828, 28 May 1910, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

PORTRAIT OF CHRIST

SECOND CENTURY WORK OF ART.

A new- portrait of Christ—now to Hie modern world, though executed probably in the second century of the Christian era, and buried ail tliesel eighteen hundred years past in the tombs of the early Roman founders of the- faith—has been brought to light in Ravenna,. (states tho "Scottish Weekly.") The sculptured relief from the irnmo>iii>rial tombs of Ravonn.-v. recently identified by Dr. Hans Deutschke, the eminent German archaeologist, as a second century presentment of Jesus as a youth, is undoubtedly ono of tho most precious artistic "documents" ever unearthed for tho reverence of Christendom. Dr. Deutschke is the author of ''Raremiatischo Studien" (Leipzig, 1909), a detailed and most erudite study of the early Christian monuments of Ravenna—a place of renown in Julius Caesar's time, and subsequently the chief capital of tho Western Emperors of Rome. No Extant Historical Portraits. We have no really historical portraits of Christ or of his Apostles. Otherwise the oldest artistic . productions would agree in type, which is far from being the case. The fact is tho contemporaries of Christ prized more highly His words and living personality than a dead description or picture— and oven His literary personality was not fixed until some time after Hisdeath. Moreover, this young Christianity would he altogether outside of the circle in which pagan art wnrked, and doubtless in the beginning was 'opposed to such culture. But entering Hie highly civilised world of Hellenism, it soon had to. reckon with these factors. It is unthinkable that a highly cultured Greek or Roman being converted to Christianity would at a single stroke set aside all of his habits of life and thought. The nearer tho personality of Christ touched the consciousness of these converts the greater was the need to bring Him to actuality. Tho learned way was not' enough. Thus fancy was called upon to construct the ideal picture.

Nona of these artists depended upon historical traditions. The artistic sense was uppermost, and at times they went back to the Jewish type.

Is this really the beginning of Christian sculpture? This early Christ is certainly not different from the figures found on the oldest sarcophagi. Yet some have placed this date as late as tho fourth century, but this is contradicted by the sarcophagi themselves. Here we find a parallel development of Christian and heathen art, developing side by side, as is plain from these early tombs. It is plain, therefore, that if tl-.e heathen figured sarcophagi developed during the second century, the Christian appeared at the same time. The Ravenna PortraitComing now to the study of the sarcophagus found in Ravenna, dating from the second century, it is plainly one of the oldest known. Hero are traces of the earliest type of tho ideal portrait of Christ. It is on the sarcophagus of St. Francesco, which can he dated as belonging to the second century, for several reasons, especially on account of the stylo of sculpture. Via see the youthful God without a nimbus (aureole), seated upon tho royal throne at. which an apostle bows. He is exalted as a prince above his servants, but the King is indicated not only by. the royal character of His post, especially by the royal fillet upon His hair. This diadem is so marked a sign of royalty that it goes back even to the time of Julius Caesar. Ever since tho age of Alexander the Great ilie Orient had been accustomed to this mark, and even in a mosaic of the fifth 1 * century we find the s:tmo sign repeated in connection with Christ.

The Christ typo of the Roman sarcophagi shows a hair dress which is rather artificial and theatrical, the long, curling locks seeming almost like a wig. The statuette of the Good Shepherd in the Lateran may be cited as typical. There is, however, the same sweet, youthful expression of countenance as in the Christ of Ravenna, almost a laughing boy, dear to the hearts of" his worshippers. It seems more than probable that this conception of the youthful Christ is attributable to early Gnostic influences. The Gnostic Valentinus lived in Rome lrom 135 to 100, and it was at this time that Gnostic teachings were first spread in Pome. Gnostics wrote pooms and composed hymns for divine service, spreading their teachings freely until the close.of the second century. It was the purpose of the Gnostics to spread the knowledge of Christ as widely as possiblo, and if in this way the portrait of Christ became more or less Hollcniscd it is not surprising. Christ now appears as the beautiful boy, often clothed in white flowing garb, and sometimes as the Christ-child. There can be little doubt that this early portraiture of Christ is due to Gnostic influence, attached to an ideal of beauty which compelled the admiration of all, even, though heathens.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

XEW BAPTIST SCHEME. For some years the feeling has been growing in the Baptist denomination in England (states a religious contemporary) that more thought and attention should bo given to the question of Sunday School urbanisation and reform. From many quarters it wais urged that Sunday School work should bo made a department of the Baptist Union, under the management of a secretary or director, specially appointed to give his whole time to the matter.

A provisional scheme has at length been adopted, embodying the principal suggestions of the advocates of reform. This scheme suggests that tho existing Baptist Young People's Union shall widen its scope so as to include the Sunday Schools of the denomination. The objects which the now department is to sot before itself are thus outlined :

1. Tho development of the Sunday School as an integral part of the work 1 of tho Church and as a medium for training Christian character. '2. The giving of advice and the supplying of information when remodelling old or building new schools, and on all matters relating to Sunday School methods and auxiliary agencies. 3. The holding of demonstrations and conferences on the tyest Sunday School methods. A. The publication of suitable literature for sale, or free distribution, and the larger use of Baptist periodical literature for the promotion of Sunday School work. o. The arranging of lessons',on Baplist principles and history for senior scholars. 6. Teachers' training. 7. 'Hie arrangement, if possible, of a system of transfer, so that workers and scholars removing from one place to another may be introduced to suitable work ami new schools in their new locality. The committee which has drawn up the scheme further recommends that an organising secretary or educational director—honorary in the first instance —should he appointed to control the work of the department, under Iho general superintendence of the secretary of the union, and in co-operation, as far as possible, with the" Sunday .School .Union, ' I

GENERAL BOOTH

PLANS AT EIGHTY-ONK. General' Booth received, on his eighty-first birthday, tho following telegram from tho Queen: — To General Booth, Hadley Wood.. Sandringham, 5.48 p.m. 1 wish you every happiness and blessing on your eighty-tirst birthday, and may God long preserve you to carry on your good and valuable work in His service. Alexandra. Congratulatory messages were received by General Booth Irani the United States, Australia, Japan, Korea, from every Continental capital, and other centres. With enthusiasm unquenchable, General Booth spent the day in making plans for the future. His ambitious lor the coming year were set down by mm as follow:— 1- The abolition of vagrancy and tho diminution of 'drunkenness by compulsory detention of vagrants and inebriates, with proportionate efforts for their reclamation. 2. The complete reformation of our criminal system, the whole tenor of which should be in tho direction of reformation and prevention as well as punishment. 3. A .wide application of our plans for settling the people on the land both at home and abroad.

4. A national land system by which the worthy unemployed can emigrate to' different parts of the Empire. 5. To make impossible the transportation of innocent and ignorant girls and woruen_ from one country to another for improper purposes. 6. To isee the Salvation jvrmvi in. both its spiritual and social efforts operating among the populations of all the great cities and in every corner of the earth.

CHUaCH UNION

PROGRESS IN SOUTH AFRICA. The town of Kimberloy has in many ways become "historic." Yet no moro Far-reaching decision has been arrived at within its gates than that' reached m March by the accredited representatives of tho Baptist and Congregational Unions and the General Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church, who assembled under the presidency of Dr. M'Clure. Some felt that tho joint conference convened' for March 16-18 would bo the end of the negotiations for church union in South Africa (states the "Christian World"). The, Wesleyan Methodists had declared their unwillingness to attend any further meetings, for in their judgment "tho proposed organic union of negotiating churches is inopportune," and furthermore, "the constitution of tho Wesleyan Church in South Africa makes no provision for its absorption into any other religious organisation." In addition 'the Baptist Union had given "an instruction" to their dele-gates-to affirm "that the immersion of believers is the only Christian' baptism." Naturally this "instruction", created a difficulty, which had first to be overcome. On the motion of, Rev. G. P. Ferguson, M.A. (formerly of Mansfield College), the delegates from the Baptist Union had to retire and to bring up a written report indicating how in their judgment "believers' baptism" could be safeguarded. Later on they did so, their requirements being:

1. That no alteration in the ditions of membership of any Baptist Church shall be made on tho initiative of the Assembly of the United Church; the initiative must come from tho in-dividual-Church, and before it can be valid it must receive! tho approval of the Assembly. 2. Baptist ministers must not...bo.iie-. quired to practise both forms of baptising. 3. That in those churches where trust-deeds provide that the minister of the church must be a Baptist, the United Church shall have no power to take any legal steps to alter this provision, except at the request .of the church concerned.

No objection 'was raised to either of these safeguarding forms: they were cordially accepted and the Doxology sung.

Tho question of tie credal basis of tho United Church was but slightly discussed, it being referred to a special committee, which was instructed "to bear in mind that a credal basis should be as brief and simple as practicable," and whose report framed accordingly was accepted. Full consideration was given to the question of the ministry of the Church, the title of which was fixed to be "The United Church of South Africa." All persons recognised at tho present time as ministers by either, of the churches, and those recognised as evangelists, are to be regarded as ministers or evangelists of the United Churchr Any church becoming vacant may extend a call to any minister of the present churches. .But for the future, as far as possible, every candidate for the ministry must be a graduate of an approved university who has passed not less than three years' study in a theological college recognised by the Church. Outside these conditions men can only be accepted by the vote of the General* Assembly.

The various resolutions of the conference are to be considered by the Supreme Courts of the three negotiating bodies, and, if, accepted, then, by the individual churches. On their approval the annual assemblies of the churches for, 1912 will be held concurrently in Cape Town and the Act of Union consummated. Either September or October is expected to be the month of meeting.

BISHOP ON EAST END. HOMES.

The Bishop of London, addressing the men's meeting at the Excelsior Hail, Botlmal Green, said lie always felt it was iiko coming home when lie came to Bethnal Green. There were some things which ought to be altered. He did not like to see the crowds coming ont of the public-houses at three o'clock o" Sunday afternoon. He did not mind the dear old fish-shops—smelling just the same. They were all right. (Laughter.) But what they had to alter most was the homes of Bethnal Green. (Applause.) Ho knew something'of the homes of Bcthnnl Green —in fact, he had started a gcod many of them on Christmas mornings, when he had married as many as forty couples. What was wanted in Bethnal Green was Christ in the home. The best test as to whether a husband loved bis wife was his conduct, towards her ten year's after they had been married. Ho warned thorn their sons would imitate their fathers. "It is so easy," he said, "to tell Tommy to run along to Sunday School, and to send 'the missis' to evening church, wlrile yon sit down with 'Reynolds' and a pot of beer. (Laughter.) But mind you, when that boy grows up. ho will do exactly what his father did."

The Most Rev. Dr. Andrew Boylan, C.SS.R., Bishop of Kilmore, died suddenly on Good Friday at his residence at Cavau. He was tho first Eedoniptorist to bo raised to tho episcopate in Ireland. In ISOS lie was named Provincial of tho newly-appointed Irish province, and since that time new foundations of tho Order have been established in Perth (Western Australia), Wellington (New Zealand), and in the Philippine Islands, whore Dr. Boylan earnestly worked for the extension of the Order with the most satisfactory results. On the death of the late Most Rev. Dr. M'Goiinis, in 1907, Dr. Boylan was appointed to tho charge of the ancient gee of Kilmore.