RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1413, 13 April 1912, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

METHODIST CHURCH. AUCKLAND NOTES. The old-fashioned class meeting lias not quite died out among Auckland Methodists (says tlm "Star*'). There are good listings at Pitt Street, at Mount Eden, and at the Kpsom churches. One of the most profporous is at where Mr. 11. Field has nearly iorty members .enrolled. The class is in its third year ot existence, and has continued to grow irom the beginning. The meeting lasts one hour, commencing and closing punctually, is conducted with variety, and all the mem hers are accustomed to lake part 111 one or other of the meetings, Kegularlt.y of attendance is emphasised. Ihft advance of settlement in (ho King Country led the recent Methodist ConVr re "i? t? agent at Te ICuiti. ■Mr. Ji. 13. tiosaell, a probationer for tho ministry, was selected to establish a •Methodist circuit, and Mr. Uosnell has visited the town, and held his first services, with encouraging results. To givo hacking to the project, tho conference (lnccted the Home Mission executive to bo prepared to make a substantial grant it necessary. Inquiries are lieing made lor a suitable section on which to erect a, church, and wiih the assistance of citv Methodists it is hoped that before long a church will be built.

•At the instigation of the I?ev. E. P. tstamiics, and uiidor his leadership, an unusual but very interesting meeting was held recently in the Pukekohe Methodist Uurreh. the congregations had resolved to make a present of suitable books to each of five local preaeliers wlio had supplied tlieir pulpits for inanv vears. Many testimonies were given of ihc value ot their self-sacrificing lalwurs for tho churches, and of the blessing received irom their unpaid ministry. Tho preachers in replying were reminiscent, and had many interesting stories to tell of their travelling ami experiences, some comic, some nearly tragic, and others speaking of good times, and of joy in service. It was a unique and memorable gathering.

A LOSS TO MISSIONS.

death op fkexcii dikecteub,

n„ T qf„, V r ry s,ul( - on in La Tiochclle \ f V ?' v ev( ' !11 »? (February 25) of M. Alfred Hoegner, the director, or as ho nould ly cnllcl in Enclaml. the secretary of the. I oris Evangelical Misiionnrv?obuMl.'r'TT'' 1 '" 1 ' o ', " 0l: milv tl,nt society but Um whole circle of those workers for missions who had any lcnowledi?o of M Boegners qualities of mind and heart' InVof|.-° Lit . R , ocl «; l > to Preach on hoi vi 1, 1 ,S r"r V ' the duty null thaiaJenslic firo and earnestness On the conclusion of his pennon he sat back on the seat in the pulpit, and passed yc" t L "n 'n ra " ,(l ,be amoved to the , ,n Dr ' Ho?7"Pr." writes Dr. AVardlawlhompson, ' had been for thirty years at the centre of tho deeply intere'stim? I rotestant Mission of which lie was lirocleur. llis .intellectual gifts were vigil, his thirikinsr clear, his ndministrapower great. Rut these gifts were all used. and Drought to a white heat of nnwpr.persuasion, and of service by the intensity of his love to Christ anil his realisation of the supremo claim of His rm'JiV" 1 , K .'" B<l0 " 1 ; A,no "ff tho many flincl I i 1 3 l li>(le ,lim "ttractiye' to hrendl ! fi " e ' V ll,m ,. was the delightful bieadlh of his conception of mission work in relation lo uices and Governments \t ?- tlm ? nn intense patriotism led the .'leiich 1 rotost.nts to take up the mission in .und.igaicar, because it had become a irench colony, he spoke clcarlv and s rongly on the higher platform of the claim for Christ to tlie service of His people, irrespective of national boundaries or associations. He had ever tho vision before him of a Christianity which knew no dividing lines, no elaims'of mere early expediency, but which was prepared to folio v its Lord whithersoever Ho might go, and to witness for Him as tho Creator and Head of the new humanity, which obliterates human boundaries, not by destroying them, but by filling up tho life until it-overflows them all in a great tide of consecration'to its Lord."

"SLACKNESS" IN THE CHURCH,

ARCHBISHOP "FILLED 'WITH UNEASY SHAME."

t The Archbishop of Canterbury, delivering us charge to the clergy and cliurchS' n f, V s ," f 'J lO diocese ill Canterbury Cathedral, asked whether Churchmen hatl been accustomed to inquire with any senso of grave disquiet 01* with anv practical and active anxiety how far their Church is doing its work or occupying its position effectiveness as to justify the position it liel.! in the countrv. iii their common Church life and in" what ought to be straightforward and unswerving battles oil behalf of what was honest and temperate and pure there was often on their part a slackness of grip and a complacent acquiescence in failure and defeat which were unworthy of the soldiers and servants of our Lord. Would ho could bring home to all who heard him something of the sense of the uneasy shame which was forced on his own soul by the growing experience of the inadequacy of their power, perhaps even of their determination, to grapple with foes whom they could conquer if they were more genuinely aflame for Him and more worthy of the Name they bore. They had in the land friendly rivals; splendid Christian work had been done and was being dono by others. Other Churches in Christendom could humbly claim the Divine blessing. He thought the Churchmen must be often bowed with shame as they confessed the miserable insufficiency of their devotion, their courage, their perseverance; and their faith. BISHOP GORE'S LECTURES. BELIEF IK THE VIRGIN BIRTH. In the Examination Schools at Oxford University 011 February 27, before a very large and distinguished audience, the Bishop of Oxford (Dr. Ciore) gave the fourth and concluding address 011 the subject of the reconstruction of belief. Dr. Gore said he had re-read the Gospels alter reading 'some' recent books of destructive criticism in preparation fcr these lceturcs. He could only say very simply he never felt before, as he felt it then, that it was thoso who denied, and nut those who affirmed the Christian creed who did violence to the evidence with regard to the Virgin birth of our Lord. Dr. Gore pointed out that it rested 011 a different basis of evidence to tho rest of tile Evangelical records. It was not part of the original Apostolic testimony. It was tho strength of tho Christian Gospel that it laid so much stress 011 testimony. The testimony was on what the Apostles had seen, and therefore it began, and it could not begin before, at the baptism of John. To tho time of the Resurrection this Virgin birth was not part of the ground 011 which belief in Jesus Christ was asked for. It ' was on the ground of what Ho had said and done and suffered, 011 the ground of what God had done in Him and for Him when He raised Him from the dead that belief was asked for in His Divine Sonship. But when men at first believed and had come into the believing circle they could not but think and inquire into the circumstances of Christ's birth. Originally there could have been but two chief witnesses of those circumstances— Joseph and Jlary—and Jfary was still alive in the circle of the first believers. Then they came to look on these two records, so extraordinarily independent, in St. Matthew's and St. Luke's Gospels, independent but converging on one point —that .Christ, was born at Bethlehem and born of a virgin. When they looked at theso two extraordinarily distinct narratives it was almcst electrifying, the first time they noticed it, to see that they had all' the appearance of coming respectively from Joseph and Mary. Ho urged that there was very strong ovidenco that the narrative which came to them came from the only authentic source, and he would clinclfit as it was clinched iu his own mind. The Church fastened on this event from the first, and from the beginning cf the second 1 century it was enshrined in the early confession of faith as something integral 1 lo the Christian religion, hi conclusion, 1 the Bishop urged upon his hearers their 1 duly |o choose and to decide, and to 1 abandon an altitude of perpetual tindecision.

Whatever may be the ultimate effect of tho-e lectures—and of that it is impossible to judge now—there can be no doubt fsiiy.-s the "Church Times") that Ihey have made the Bishop known (o a verv large, number of minds, both among undergraduates and women students, who have hitherto realised his grent power onlv from his printed books. Tho forra w Us ficreomUti jmd. tliq pioitU m mil

as tho intellectual force of liis appeal have boon felt by the large numbers who withered to hoar Mm, and whether his hearers have accepted his conclusions or mil, they have been compelled to feel the influence of an intellectual candour and sincerity which are as transparent as they are remarkable. . CHALMERS CHURCH. A CRITICAL POSITION. At a meeting of tho Diincdiu I'resbvtoij on April .2 the dork road a letter si'tiing lui'tli the position of the Chalmers Uiiireii Jt Stated (hut, under (he title deeds, tho church is the property of the congregation subject to certain conditions, and that oil account of the lion-observance bj one or two members of tho congregation of theso conditions the .property vould be sold and the proceeds 1,-]n<l«l »} tiie Deacons' Court of Chalmers Unirrh (trustees of tho property) to the it'itwl iS.nV'IV colnlll "uication also ili •, l! , lo . CO!l (.''' (, gati | J!i would not he a churrli """? ita w , is lt to wtinue u had t-il on il n °i lj,ni CTC "ts iuoi i iL n i B 1 a h "r cU of tho M »- r?I 'l nf al committee (which drew to nil] ;t •' " rs?l1 Ul ', on 11,0 Presbytery lo am it in securing the property under to 'tfcinS'' c ° mlitio »s similar pertie" are hel<l. W ° tllCr chui ' cll P™" fon'aiju.a 1 !,-,'J he Ie^ er , few. Tho.nbvto? • T„7 "' altocl u \' on the I'resconsidered ■ ° i oni : lllcl "ber, wlio »i"4ss fta&yg? y»s counted on fL (nlr ' w,l ° c °uld bo Tovtkr tlnt a the ta,lC l° f . fI ™™'»rs ou that the work might be carried

US",? rC(! m e , p «sl).v(or.v towards sunnortim' f'l. ""l 1 '1° lls simre liaplSlSlf ?." d ?ns '"ado it necessary .for «o me ™-Xuo? k h a i ,I,h ? Cli«l.nc»ThUh ported'the church it' had VorE: od ponders when its members were considered. He believed that. tho flnaiSSl statement of the church would sotS he members of the Presbytery. be? of To ??* ECI * a so mil, L°f. T m '\ ers , "')>o lmd done so much for the church, but the posit™ mi'ived AV i , - en tho ™ auned at tho meeting on 'April 1, an the titfo ri r «,f?" rked , : ", WiU tllis ™ (1 tit a , lul w ; llcn ho replied A sulgesfetl That" tfiMld onj tii/lf 1 t] !. o f,V n i ?i " 8 of tho tloxolo?v, ana sit to piny the church was tlireatc rt, ,Vlt V '«fore the ch'il courts. ]t was impossible to sav what der° r tli» a wti lni . gllt , llot h e brought undnw. L <lmls ', lvlllch ha<l 'wcu He thmmlif ?l MV(, . r almost any position. V. ,„H g ■ committee should be authorised to confer with the Dea°°tL T? Urt -M° f fJ! almprs Church. ilie Hcv. Jlr. Iv.immo.nt sa|d here was a °h * ch ",V cl1 ' through no fault of'its own, being dispossessed of its building. Chil.noT ,vns 1)0 ta ¥» from the hive r, 1,, n 'f CgatlGU ' - aud if: that tms y 'i °i ver > ? g , nln ' Ho thought that the is} nod should bo asked to mako a special grant. Ho expected that in thh-d Ca Jti y ,voui<l ]>e ob,e to e et oMtiin a ot the money neeossarv for tke re■Frth 6 '^etowh, but wha? about the, other-iwo-tlurds? 'It'might' mean nnj thing. to tho congregation. He was in favour of the bjnod for two-thirds of UiG amount required, .It was suggested by the Bcv. Mr. Pcorgie that a special committee bo set up to approach the Deacons' Court aud offer'to assist it.

P,l V S l, T ded $ at . a committee of-the lipsbjtery be authorised to consult with rin.rnl? 9 ? Co,,rt i . of , tho Chalmers Church if the court so desired.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTE.

With the opening of the Biblical In. stituto of the Roman Catholic Church, the \ atican hopes to end permanently the questions regarding the authenticity of the Bible, and to establish the contention that modern science has not disprov cd many of its passages. , The magnificent palace in the Via I'ilotta, which will be the home of the institute, and which has been opened with impressive ceremonies, j.i oV€r> '« a ™ ilabl « document bearing on the authenticity of the Bible. innnnn i IJ " ls capable of accommodating 100,000 volumes, and will include the earliest papyrus documents and cuniforin inscriptions. From the beginning the institute has been a pronounced success (says the "Tablet s. ( Rome correspondent); after two f ,vorl j iu ß ;t rejoices in a splendid staff of professors and over a hundred students from all parts of the world; it has the nucleus of a valuable Biblical museum and of a rich Biblical library it has correspondents throughout the Orienttwo hundred and fifty periodicals connected directly or indirectly with Biblical studies, 111 a score of languages, are to 1m found on Hie shelves of its reading room; and now it has not only a spacious homo for its work, but one equipped according > to the most modern methods of'light ill" heating, ventilation, and other arrangements. Father Fonek, who has recently returned from the Orient, where lie has established a branch house of the Institure in the North of, Palestine, recently inauguratedthe opening of the now career of tho Institute by n learned prolusion-ill which ho explained its'aims and methods.

An official announcement was made on. March 29 of the postponement until nest* year of the celebration in honour of the 1300 th anniversary of Emperor Constantine's victory over paganism. The plans now being prepared provide for festivities upon a much larger scale than originally intended, and for tho erection of a magnificent tomplo outside Rome and on the sito of Constantine's great victory. Tt had been previously stated that tiio Vatican was going to commemorate, by the erection of an immense monument to "Christ the Victor," tho 1300 th anniversary of Constantine's acceptance of Christianity as the Empire's official religion. It was stated that the monument would •be tho greatest memorial of tho kind in the world, and that the baso would bo laid in Octobor.

PROPOSED WESLEYAN COLLEGE AT OXFORD.

At a meeting of the Oxford University fl'esley Socicty. .Mr. E. E. Gemier, M.A., Fellow of Jesus College, (ti-=cn=sod the possibility of founding a Weslevan College for ministerial students at Oxford. lie declared Hint the scheme would have peeiilinr danger. It might easily beget intellectual pride in the men* (rained there. At present if a 'man came lo Oxford lie joined the universitv in Ihe ordinary way and shared its life to the full. This'secnied to him beMer-thnn :i special Methodist college with- its isolation from the rest of the universitv. Tt would be financially impossible to' build and stnlT a fifth 'college until a ifreat change of attitude towards the education of the ministry tonk place in the Methodist rank and file. The idea of founding a college for Methodist undergraduates was an idle dream. Sectarian institutes were looked upon, with growing disfavour, and he was not sure that some of the colleges, such as Keblt). at present open only to Anglicans, would not soon bo put 011 ail undenominational basis.

Tlio death has occurred at Dalkeith, near Kdinliurjili, of Mrs. Margaret Ailnms, said to have been the oldest pit woman in tlu> country, Mrs. Adams was born at the Midlothian village of Loanhead 99 years ago. Slio wont to work in a mine when eipht years old, and after the Legislature torbado women (o work underground she continued working for eome tims an ths pit hvilb