RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1067, 4 March 1911, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

STUDENTS AND SOCIAL FACTS. WESLEYAX COLLEGE CURRICULUM. The English Wesleyan Conference in parsed a resolution that in any rearrangement of tho curriculum of the theological colleges a definite placo should be found for the systematic study of social facts and problems. Tho Theological'lnstitution Committee last year drew up a suggested scheme for carrying out, this resolution. These recommendations were submitted' to the confercnce last July, and, owing to strong opposition of a small section, were referred back to the committee. On. Friday morning, January 13, tho General Theological Institution Committee met at the- Birmingham Central Hall to receive the report of the subcommittee on studies on this question. This report submitted by Dr. Waddy Moss, of Didsbury College, recommended that owing to the crowded state of the curriculum the training in social facts aiid problems should bo restricted to third-year students, and the course of study be confined to tho elucidation of Scriptural and . ethical principles with guidance in reading, all text books used to be approved by the sub-commit-tee.

In' the discussion Rev. 11. Lefroy Yorko, M.A., declared that social study was more import-ant than .some things for which a placo was already found in the curriculum. l)r. Scott Lidgett thought it wa's extremely important that ministers should have knowledgo or the chief social theories so that they should be able to decide whether they were Christian or uiirCliristian. Rev. F. W." Macdonald, while he did not fear that the colleges would become hotbeds of political propaganda, thought that the subject of social reform was being overdone at present, and would prefer to see more attention paid-to the scientific study of pastoral duties. Dr. James Moulton, of Didsbury College, on behalf of tho tutors, urged-the danger of going too deeply into tho matter without tho help of . experts in sociological science. Strong opposition to the proposals was voiced by Sir John- S. Raudles, ex-M.P. for Cockermouth, who said that laymen did not. want Socialism, and feared tho prevalence of clerical influenco in thai direction. This evidence of political fooling; was condemned by Sir. E. E. Conner, fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, who was in favour of a better understanding among ministers of the causes of tho alienation of the working classes from Christianity. Rev. Harry Bissekor, M.A., of Richmond College, followed on the samo lines, and Professor Dower gave his assent, to tho suggestions of the sub-coinmittee as a fair compromise. An amendment ! in favour of no change was lost, and tho recommendations were carried by a large majority.

SUNDAY, ANCIENT AND MODERN. A "PRIMITIVE" DISCUSSION. Olio of the liveliest discussions ever held at a meeting of the toudon Primitive Methodist Council was that .of Friday, January 13, at Holborn Hall, on "The Purpose and Modem Uses of Sunday." ltev. Joseph Eitton presided, and a paper was read by Rev. J. Day Thompson, who traccd tho weekly rcst-dav beyond tlio Mosaic legislation to Babylon, but found in many of tho ancicnt and modern lion-Christian religions. The. rest-day probably had its origin in taboo ideas. Coming to the modern uses of Sunday, Mr. Thompson, .declared, .in--the . most emphatic tonus',' iiis' schse' ofthe incalculable value of the weekly rest-day as a day of needed physical and mental refreshment, and of opportunity for .worship, which was tho greatest refreshment of all, but they did not help towards tho popular appreciation of Sunday by presenting it as a dr.y of prohibitions rather than a day of privileges. They had to look at the conditions of modern tho weafts'and tear of tho stress and strain, and especially at tho life of the peoplo who were cooped up in great centres of population, during the week, and found 011 Sunday tho only opportunity for recruiting their jaded bodies and minds in' the open air. He believed that if they emphasised the humanitarian bonoficonco of Sunday, and did not so much regard it purely from tho Church standpoint, they would be moro successful; in their efforts to cheek the increasing imrads upon Sunday rest.

Mr. li. Jeffs criticiscd tlio "sacred cold mutton and beetroot" of the devout Sunday dinner as a symbol of the Puritan attitude towards Sabbath observance. Sunday should be a day of joyous exultation in the gladness of a free Gospel. It was n remarkable thing tbat the most rigorous of modern restday legislation, that of France, was secured "under pressure, not from the churches on religious grounds. Let them brigliten their Sundav • services, and teach the people that they .needed worship to cleanse their eyes and ears from tlio dust of earth, and to relievo their burdened heart awl mind from much perilous stuff. Rev. Frederick Pickett "declined to take Sunday from Babylon." "You have to," said Mr. Thompson', with -a smile. Mr. Pickett urged that Sunday, liko tho Incarnation, had an element of something .'instituted for GodVsakcas well-as for man's sake, and in keeping Sunday they were giving God His due.

A number of speakers objected to the "sacrcd cold mutton" reference. Tho cold Sunday dinner gave tho woman an opportunity of Sabbath morning worship, which otherwise sho n'ust miss. Others urged, the .value of Sunday as giving, 'opportunities for servico in the Sunday-school and other departments. Rov. E. J. T. Bagnall said ho did not care whether they got Sunday from Babylon or fropi. Jericho; tho important thing was to make, the. best' uso of it and to safeguard it against selfish abuso and dissipation of its opportunities. A resolution was < moved instructing the executive trt\. frame and send in a resolution in support of tho Sunday Xtest Bill. The discussion had to closo all-too soon, many - being eager to speak. CUNNING LECTURES. The "Christian World" of January 19 says:—A new scries of Gunning Lectures has been begun iii connection with the University of Edinburgh. Tho lecturer is IV'v. D. Watson", of St. Clement's Parish Church, Glasgow, who is vice-convener of tho General Assembly's Committee on Social AYorfe. Ho has chosen for his subject, "Some Essential Factors in Social Advance." In introducing Mr. Watson to a fine audience in tho Church History. Class-room, Professor Patrick said that Dr. Gunning, tho founder of tho lecture, deemed that ministers should bo encouraged in tlio acquiring of proficiency in scienco-studv, languages, philosophy, archaeology, and sociology. In tho importance he placed upon sociology, Dr. Gunning was distinctly'ahead of his day. In Mr. Watson a very happy ; choice of a lecturer had besn made.

THE , ATONEMENT. The Rev. Charles Brown (Baptist) has tho rare gift of making theology attractive and even fascinating to the ordinary listener. In delivering the first of the series of "Seward" divinity lectures at Kvesliam on January ]6, the speaker dealt With "The Vicarious Sufferings of Christ." "Bleachers and theologians made, tho little of Chrfst's favourite name for Himself, viz., 'Son A Man.' We speak of a 'son of tho people, 1 - or of John Burns as a- 'son of London,' because, his lifo is given to tho.welfare of his city. So tho Soil of Man sprang from humanity, lived for died for it. There is no sorrow

-• ■$'. .y^.T that affects humanity that is not His sorrowlie is woven into and .is an inseparable; part of tho' whole fabric.''' In shoeing the difference, ]iot merely in decree, .but in kind, between Christ and all others, the lecturer compared the apostles' estimate of themselves with their estimate of Christ. Ho was not- simply, tho example, but the object of their.devotjon. Christ accepted this. He alone was unconscious of .imperfection. If Christ is not God's Son in this unique sense, wo might, as well.tear up our New. Testament. V

EAST AND WEST. \ MOVEMENT FOR REUNION. The Constantinople correspondent of tnc "Kolniselio Volkszeitung" . stains that a very important movement towards the reunion* of the Eastern churches with tho Roman Church is taking place. Tho Metropolitan of Beirut, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop, . Mgr. Gcrassimos Messara, has issued a Pastoral Letter which is addressed, with the approval of tho Patriarch of Antioch, to all -the Orthodox -Christians. 11l this document, tho. Archbishop says: "The authentic and' exalted monuments of tho union of all the Churches of God aro to bo found in ' i,he '(Ecumenical Councils at -which all the Bishops, followers of the Apostles, united around the Patriarchs of. the four Apostlic Sqos of the East under the presidency of tho Pope of Rome, who-is the-first of the' Patriarchs. "Wo 'proclaim to the Christian world that'our warmest "desire is'to' see the restoration of this ancient unity on tho firm and enduring basis of tho Apostolic teaching and tradition as they have been handed down in the-writings of the Fathers and tho authentic Arts of tho (Ecumenical Councils. AYith regard to the points upon which thero is dogmatic difference between tho Apostolic Churches of the East and the Apostolic Church of Rome, wc solemnly declare that although- some ' (if these points inyolvo an essential disagreement between these Churches, still- several points undoubtedly rest. on a simple misunderstanding between'tho two'par-' ties. - No one will deny the possibility of removing this misunderstanding and bringing about union on tho ground of tho Holy Scripture and the sacred teachings. It is incontestable that -the desired reunion of the Churches call undoubtedly be realised upon this ground. Wo recogniso .that tho belief of- the Western and the Eastern Churches was formerly _ the ' same, and that subsequently a.change took place. But wo earnestly wish that all tho essential differences which separate tliein should be removed and that the East and the West should again arrive at the ancient unity in the same belief and thesamo love, should mutually pardon one another any,wounds that may liavo been inflicted on one.side.or the other in tho past; and should remember the command of their common Master, 'By this sign shall moil know that you are My j'disciples, because you lovo one another.' It goes without saying that tho restoration of unity between the Churches named will have for its basis the preservation intact of all tho privileges and rights of the Churches. Each Church will preserve its rights and its indepci'.Hciico as in ancient times, that is to say, as laid, down by the (Ecumenical Councils,' and. especially by the Council of Nicaea.' Wo make this solemn declaration in tho. sight of tho Christian world, hoping that it will find an echo of -sincere sympathy in tho hearts of all. If, which God forbid, our expectation is deceived and tbe reunion so; earnestly longed for docs not como- to pass, we have at least discharged a fraternal duty, and in the eyes of God, Who is a God of peace, -from our shoulders the responsibility for, the separation and division." A NEW CHAPLAIN-IN-ORDINARY. The .Very..Rev.. 51.'Adam jluir, Moderator- of the' General Assembly 'of tho Chureli of Scotland, was installed in, St. Giles's Cathedral, on Sunday, January 15,- as Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the King in, Scotland. Rev. S. J. Ramsay Sibbald, M.A., 13.D., who is also a Chaplain-in-Ordinary, but is better known among his follow countrymen- as "the King's minister" (having tho charge cf Crathie Church, near Balmoral), took the service, and, with Dr.. Wallace Williamson, conducted the new chaplain to his stall.

STUDENTS AT CARRS-LANE. A' servico for members of tlio. Birmingham University was hold at CarrsI.ano Chrch on Sunday morning, January 15. Tho'- area of the church was given over to the students,, 330 in number, all wearing their academical robes) while special seats were allotted to members' of the staff present. These.included Sir Oliver Lodge, l'rpfessor Hughes, Professor Ashley, Professor Martiiioau, and other dignitaries. Dr. Rondel Harris was in the congregation. The lessons were read by Sir Oliver Lodge, and the choir sang S. S. Wesley's anthem, "Blesssd be God the -Father." Dr. Jowctt preached from the text, "Blessed are tlio puro in* heart, for they shall see God." In the course of the . sermon he quoted from Mr. Theodore WattsrDunton, one of the finest critics, of our generation. "Theodore WattsDunton," he said, "once used thoso words: 'Sincerity -and conscience are two angels that..bring. tp the poet all llic wonders of the poet's dream.' When I heard these words, I recalled the words, of another, Thomas a Konipis, that purity and. simplicity are two wings with which mail sonrs.above the earth.''

GIPSY SMITH IN SHEFFIELD. The great-Gipsy Smith-Mission is the all-pervading"topic of conversation in the city'of Shehicld (says the "British Weekly" of/January 19). Tlio meetings are attracting.larg; congregations, and the difficulty, is in providing accommodation for the crowds that liock to'hear hini.- At the. opening services of the misyon cn Sunday at the Hippodrome thero.wcre great congregations, .and large numbers sought dho inquiry-room after-the evening meeting. A somewhat curious fact in regard to this mission is that the ordinary services have' not suffered in any way. This shows that the mission is attracting the right sort, of popple, and not drawing congregations from the other churches. Rev. Clias. Brown, Kcv. P. B. Meyer, and other well-known men are assisting at some of the meetings. . .

PROFESSOR EUCKEN'S OUTLOOK. Professor Encken, of Jena, is recognised as one of the most notable of living German theologians, and Iho Now Year's mcssago which ho sends to "Tiio Inquirer'! .will be read with ,interest. Professor Eucken is not blind to facts that encourage pessimism—the universal division and strife in eagerness for material gains, the prevalent doubt and questioning about spiritual tilings, and tho pretcnee and hypocrisy so rife in -society. But nono the less ho takes a hopeful and joyous view of the conrso' human Jife is taking. Everywhere there is a real spiritual longing. for tho fulfilment of what is best, and truest in life, and it is especially notoworth.v that tho young arc most eager in this movement. So the present t.inio is not a mean but a great time. Tho desired renewal and fulfilment of human life cannot come, Professor Euckon is convinced, except through religion, and whenever tho effort to realise tho bestlife is sincere there is a movement towards religion, and its necessity is fully realised, lint, if rehVion is to meet tho urgent, demands of humanity to-day it must put asido the forms and formulas of the past, it must speak to modern men in a modern tongue, it must fall back on the eternal verities of spiritual experience, it must show tho vital connection of these' eternal truths with human evolution. Dr. Euckon is to be in London at Whitsuntide, .to deliver 1 tho Es£2x. Hall lecture, .