RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

CONSERVING FAMILY LIFE. AN APPEAL TO THE CIIUECHES. No one denies tho prevalence of great domestic evils. The reports of the census olh'ce on lraniago and divorce, the disclosures of tho Chicago Vice Commission, and "Iho complaints of experts in public education ami religious training" have drawn the especial attention of the Federal Council of tho Churches of Christ in America, who address an appeal to tho churches in behalf of the family. They find encouragement in tho I'act that on many sides appears the conviction of the importance of the. homo as "the. place where all that builds up or pulls down in the social order does its final work." There is, thcrrfore, "much eil'ort to protect and develop family life." Tho icciimmendatons th n v mako aro signed by Bishop Doano, Samuel W. Dike, and Dr. E. Si'.nford, and appear in various publications of the religious press. They point to "three or four things that seem in most immediate need of attention and action." Thus: "1. A uniform marriage law has lately bren prepared to follow the uniform divorce law now in process cf enactment by tho States. We recommend these measures, though they may not. bo wholly ideal, to your attention. The clergy have widely called for sumo such provisions to meet; tho evils of discordant legislation, especially as a protection against migratory marriages and divorce. "But we especially urge tho need of a similar comity between the churches themselves so that pors.ms who cannot l>o married by their own ministers will not resort to those of other churches for the object. Do not consistency, Hit responsibilities for social leadership, and the obligations of Christian fraternity demaud this course from all our churches? Shall we not in this way observe that comity between churches that wo aro demanding of the States? "2. We also urge at this time great care in the marriage of persons unknown to tho ofiioiatiug clergyman and of tho.'iu who aro morally or physically unfit for married life. "X The teniblo evils of sexual vico are in urgent ne',l of attention by tho clergy, teachers, and parents, in ways that are wiso and efficient. \\o gratefully recognise the growing interest in this subject, and urge the leaders of the Church to ljecome intelligent concerning it, and to cooporaio in all practical ways with the medical profession and with competent associations for dealing with it. "1. Only one thing moro at: this time. Our churches shuuld lead their people to see that tho family has its true place in tho activities of religion, education, industry, ami public order. As implied in what wo said at tho outset, tho vigour and safely of all othvr institutions denend on the extent to which they strengthen the life of tho family. Every tendency in any ol these that weakens the homo should be resisted. Kvpry plan for their own welfaro should include a knowledgo of its effect on tho home."

PniMITIVE METHODISM. ,~ THE INCREASE CAMPAIGN. The English Primitive Methodists celcbrntul tneir centenary by raising a thanksgiving fund of .fJOO.OJO. The satisfaction, however, has been tinged witii concern at the fact that during the four years of 111* clVort Uio membership of the connexion actually declined. This year is to bo devoted to an "Increase Campaign," and leagues have been formed tu concentrate eifort on the. spiritual stirring up of the churches, preparatory to a simultaneous mission. Already the campaign has led to a considerable riee in the spiritual temperaturo of the churches, and from alt parts come reports of accessions. At the London Primitive Methodist Council, presided over by Mr. C. Pinhorn, licv. J. Toicivi'c Parr read « paper on the campaign in London, which led to a remarkable outburst of fceliujj. He baid they were nil -humiliated at the loss cf membership. Perhaps they had made a mistake in putting the thanksgiving fund elVort first, instead of beginning with a spiritual campaign, which would have naturally, led up to tho financial effort In London their ministers and officials were constantly to the danger of allowing their concern for the financial upkeep ot debt-laden churches to .absorb an undue proportion of their time, interest, and energy. They must put first tho spiritual interest—get the passion for souls, and then infuse their evangelistic enthusiasm into their people. The advocated systematic house-to-house visitation, definite prayer for specific objects and individuals, personal dealing, eifort ,to induce the cliildi'cn in the Sunday schools to decision, and prayerful preparation for a simultaneous mission to be held next October. In the discussion several ministers confessed that insensibly, under the inlluenea of the spirit of the age, (hey had ceased to expect conversions, but they wero determined to resist the spirit of tho age, ar.d get back to the old-lime placing of first things first, and preaching with a view to soul surrender. Tho council resolved itself into a fervid prayer meeting, and concluded with the singing of the Doxology.