RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1497, 20 July 1912, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

CHURCH AND.PEOPLE. POSITION IN ENGLAND TO-DAY. THE FUEE CHURCHES. Continuing its inquiry, conunsinml on -May ' 30 (published in last week's Dominion) concerning tho condition of the Churches in England and Wales, tho "Westminster Gazette" of June 1 proceeds lo analyse the i'rco Church position. Below is n statement of the strength of Nonconformity obtained from official sources :-rStatistics of the Free Churches for England and Wales. Sunday Sittings. Members, scholars. Weslcyan Method- / ists (11)12) 2,300,000 473,091 067,081 Weslcyan Methodists (1911) 475,715 070,491 Coiigregationnlista (19111 1.71G.C59 451,429 G55.51S Congrcj'rttionalists i.HiM) 1,718,488 451.810 CG8.095 Baptists (1911) ... 1,390,587 304,047 533,329 Baptists (1910) ... 1,397,551 3W.748 553,919 Primitive Methodists (1911) 1,012,920 205,032 452,030 Primitive Methodists (1910) 1,025,422 205,085 455,875 Calvinistic Methodists (1911) ... 518,409 IS3.SC2 187,024 Calviirislic JtoHi- . odists (11110) ... 579,807 151.558 189.30S United Methodist (1911) 150,180 305,385 fniteil Methodist (1910) 750,075 151,850 309,049 Presbyterians (1911) 180,525 80,848 84,1,80 Presbyterians (1910) 170,523 80,828 80,391 Society of I'rieuds (1911) - IS.GOI 22,101 Society of Friends ■ (1910) - 18,513 22,937 Churches of Chri.it \ (1911) — 15,000 18,350 Churches of Christ (1910) '. • — 14,837 17,203 Independent Methodists (1911) ... 40,310 S.3IG 27,204 Independent Mcth- • odists (1910)' ... 45,395 9,035 27,747 Wesleyan Reform Union (1011) ... 48,918 8,051 22,946 Weslevan K-eform Union. (1910) ... 47.4G3 8,317 22,883 Moravians (1911) (about) 7,000 5,400 5,200 Moravians (1910). 0,700 5,800 5,000 Countess of Hunt- ' ingdon's Con. (11)11) 15,300 2,200 4,300 Countess of Huntingdon's Con. (1910) IG.OOO 2,300 4,500 Disciples of Christ (1911) 6,575 - 1,629 2,005 Disciples of Christ (1910) 7,250 1,810 2,530 EXPLANATORY NOTES. The above statistics do not include members on probation nor those connected with junior classes in Methodism. In order to place the whole of the Churches on the same basis as far as possible only Uioso in full mcrabciship havo been reckoned. Tho secretary of tho Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion reports: "Many of our churches also return to the Congregational Union." Tho licv. H. F. England, secretary of the Directing Board of tho Moravian Clmrch stales "almost all seats are free." Tho Society of Friends do not collect statistics of sittings. Tho secretary of the Churches of Christ General Evangelistic Committee states that the statistics include Scotland. The membership of the Wesleyan Methodist Clmrch is given from the statistics collected by the "Methodist Recorder"; and that of the. Primitive Methodist Connexion is quoted 'on the authority of the "Primitive, Methodist Leader." In each case these figures arc considered to be ; :.i. Increase or D'eereasp of Freo Church Membership. Decrease Increase Wesleyan Methodists '2,024 Congregationalists >.... 381 Baptists 'Ml 'Primitive Methodists 53 C'alvmistie Methodists 72(i United Methodists 1,070 Presbyterians — 20 Society of Friends — S3 Churches of Christ - 163 Independent Methodists ... 719 Wesleyan Reform Union .. 2fifi Moravians 400 Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion 100 Disciples of Christ 211 7,251' 271 Total Decrease 6.950 Increase or Decrease, of Sunday Scholars Connected v;ith tho Free Churches. Decrease Increase Wesleyau Methodists 3,413 - Congrefiatioiialists • 12,547 Baptists •••■ G2O Primitive Methodists 3,845 Calvinistic Methodists 2,284 United Methodists 4,314 Presbyterians 2,214 Society of Friends 033 Churches of Christ - 1,142 Independent Methodists ... 543 Wesleynn Reform Union... — . 03 Moravians ~ 200 Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion 200 Disciples of Christ 515 .11,028 .1,405 Total Decrease 29,623 To some extent tlie Free Churches aro realising the need of reform in their Sun-day-school methods. A large number of schools have been modernised. by the. adoption of more scientific educational plans. Still there is much to be <k\ne in (he improved trradiiiß of .Sunday-schools, and in "the levelling up of llip instruction. Duriii" the last twenty years the teaching in the elementary schools 'has bcon revolutionised in character and scope, whilst that in the Sunday-schools has to a larje decree remainod stationary. Hitherto, "infants, older children, and young people- in their toons have been treated on thß same bo sis in the Sunday-school, and by comparison with Ike day-«chool the treatment has lost influence , and attractive power. The provision of primary deportments and youiuj people's institutes is bein? made slowly an-d most economically. \t present the Free Churches have failed tis a whole to grasp the supreme importance of the-Sunday-school, and where the recognition has boon made a parsimonious mind lias anverned the supplies. Considerable improvement must, however, be recorded in many directions, and much credit is due to a small but grow-: inu band of Sunday school reformers, who have been pegging away, iii season and out r-f season, to elfeot necessary changes. They have see.n the vision" of i what their Sunday schools ouuht to be, and sought to induce their colleagues to come up to the same viewpoint.

Woslcyan Methodists. For six years Wesleyaa Methodism has faced a decline in its aiuiual membership returns, until the total decreases iiii (hat period have amounted to ovot 15,000. This year a shrinkage is observable in all tho various types of Methodist districts', mining, industrial, and middle-class have alike failed to produce growth. Until the present year W<"sleynn Methodists as a whole apparently failed to realise the gravity ot the f.ituaUon, hut hoped and expected that the tide would turn. To-day the denomination is alive to the subject. ' Tlib liev. }•!. Aklom French, of Tipper Tooting, a respected minister of the Connexion, a> secretory of a committee on the matter, resorted to a referendum on the following; suggestion: "That in tho next May synods a whole session, and in the. next winfci<Mieo a whole day (in both cases where tho laymen are present), shonW bo given up to united counsel and prayer, that wo may learn what is now tho will of God for us as u Church, ami receive power to d'j it." Tho proposal obtained a large amount of support, and Die question was carefully considered by a large number of Wesleyan Synods. This fact seems to promise that tho ciucstiun , of '.he membership decrease will receive duo coi>sid«ralinu at tho next conference. The parent Church of Methodism has aleo experienced a disinclination on the, part of it.-> youiift men to become, candidates for the ministry. uotwithMaudiu" (lie fact Hint 'Wesley.™ Methodism Rives il. men a living wage and provides for their superannuation as well ns other family benefits. [Tho iwilion of (he Church of F.usinnd was <balt. with in »» articlo published ill last week's Dpaiwos. Ihe conclusion

of the "Westminster Gazette's" review (in which special reference is made to Iho position of tho Congregational, Baptist, and other Churches and organisations for men) will Iμ published iu next Faturday's Dojiisiox.]

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH,

Tho British and Foreign Unitarian Assoeiation hold its annual business mertm,e 0U Jlaj ' 30 at EssßX Hall > London, ilio report of the Executive Committee was presented by tho secretary, the. l!ev. \\. Copeland Bowie, who was heartily greeted on tho occasion of completing twenty years in his present post. 'J'ho report opened with a quotation from Professor Cnrfis's "History of Creeds," in which tho author says tho experience of Unitarians, whatever their success in other ways, has not proved that cecds are disliked as such. "Tho religious bodies winch proclaim their freedom from dogma have not been overwhelmed by applications ior admission to their membership." 11lie committee, acknowledging the justice oi this author's remarks, still maintain their confidence in tho principle of freedom, but- urgo tho necessity of definite religious propaganda. "Tho substitution ot a, lew empty generalities in plaeo of a discredited orthodoxy, and (he absence of generous and active missionary zenl, can only result in fniluro and decay" Iho work of tho year lias bpen earried'nn with nn income of about .£7OOO, slightly exceeded by expenditure. About a third ot this lias been devoted to home mission work and about a sixth to colonial and foreign expansion. Publications account for over .£IOOO. The Van Mission, now in its sovendi season, claims to havo reached at least a million hearers. There are four vans in the different circuits, and in Scotland additional open-air wovk is carried on successfully without a von. During the year a good deal of attention has been given, to tho project of securing, a minimum stipend for ministers, nnd the committee cordially endorse the appeal now being mado for an oddition of AIiO.OOO to the bustentntion Fund for this purpose, t -Pi ™, lreas,lM ' , . 3lr. Howard Chatieikl Clarke, made an urgent request fur additional subscribers. Mr. Chillies JlawJisley was re-elected as president, on the motion of (ho Kcv. C. Hnrsrovo (Leeds), seconded by tho liev. B. ,r. J nn »s (Ahordaro). Among tho other resolutions was one of_ welcome to eleven ministers who havo joined the ranks in the past twelve months. Following tho business meeting a conference was held, at which the work of tho several departments of Uio association was considered in detail. In the afternoon the Central Postal Mission met at Essex Hall, Miss 11. Ta-'art presiding, and several interesting develop, nients wore reported, including tho establishment of an Italian Froa Believers' Association, with headquarters at Florence, Signer C 4. Conte being the chief promotor. Signor Crespi, who represented the Italian Liberal Movement, gave a longhand philosophical address on'the bases of modern religious thought

NEW BISHOP OF TRURO,

Dr. Burrows, son of the late Canon Burrows of Rochester, who has been appointed Bishop of Truro, is 53 yeans of nge. Born in London, ho had a (listin--guishod career at Oxford, where lie remained after graduation for seven years as tutor at Christ Church. Meantime he lrad been ordained, and in 1891 he was appointed- Principal of the Leeds Training School, where he did excellent work for liiiio years. Ho was niado vicar of the important parish of Holy Trinity, Leeds, m 1900, and about three years later was summoned to Birmingham by Dr. Ixore, ,then Bishop of-Worcester, and os yiear of St. Augustine, Edgbaston, ministered to a large suburban parish. Iα 1001 he succeeded Dr. Digglo as Archdeacon of Birmingham, and was Dr. Gore's right-hand man in the. organisation of tliG new diocese of. Birmingham, jforo than onco Jlr. Burrows's name, has been mentioned in connection with vacant bishoprics; in 1908 ho was actually elected to tho Archbishopric of Capo Town, but felt bound to decline because of tho claims ot Birmingham upon him. Ho n; lecturer in pastoral theology nt C<iml>rid»o £of,l9lorll.,.>,Thenew Bishop is ;v Briia I High Churchman', who holds that the Church of England should be comprehensive enough- to include varying types of Churchniaiiship. Ho. is in favour of a. revision of the Prayer Boole to provide greater elasticity in tho conduct of worship. He is constitutionally «ver.=e to controversy, and nny be expected to show n friendly j spirit to > Christians outside his own communion. He is a hard worker, and.does not believe in a gloomy religion, but takes a genuinely human interest in games and amusements. Ho married in IS9G a daughter of the late Mr. J. G. Talbot, Jf.P. for Oxford University, but in the following year was left a widower with one daughter.—"Christian World."

GENERAL BOOTH

General Booth, tiro veteran loader and founder of tho Salvation Army, now realises that tho , recent. operation upon his left oyo lias not restored Ms sight (fays the "Westminster Gazette"). Tho dectors still cherish tho hope that tho ability to distinguish light from darkness, will remain, but that neyond this it is exceedingly improbable, that the eyo which was recently operated upon will prove of auv practical utility. Though General Booth is now practically blind, he lias already given indications of prosecuting his w.ori: with the same, vigour as before. Though his future plans are not entirely settled, and must naturally remain in abeyance for a littlo time, 'lie is anxious to carry out the programme that has already been outlined. For instance, he had in view a motor tour through Devon and Cornwall, lasting for about ten or twelve days, and it is probable that if his general health is maintained he will embrace tho opportunity of visiting a district inado memorable by thp eiforts of John Wesley, whom ho resembles by his zealous . evangelistic labours. Hβ Ihas also planned councils for his officers in Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, London, mid elsewhere. Later he anticipated a visit to Franco. Germany, and Denmark, followed by a journey through the .States' ami Canada. During his enforced retirement tho General has reemvcjl n number of kind ami sympathetic message , ?, including ono from his Majesty the King and from Princess Louise (Duchess of , Argyll). A leading city banker a few days ago sent him a lovely basket c.f flowers and fruit from his own gardens; and from,all ranks of society anil from all .parts of the world message? of goodwill have been received. Though up to tliß present confined (o his bed, and notwithstanding his age, General Booth ha? manifested much vitality, and if tho state of his health remains good tfill scon )» permitted to get downstairs. In the meantime, he has been ablo to dictate a long and affectionate .message to tho members of the Salvation Army. In this, after referring pathetically to the loss of Ji.is sight, he says: ■'"Well!- Pile up all my losses—and they are i»any and serious, I admit—but look, as T have been looking these, last, few hours, at all the mercies that arc left mo!" The General proceeds to enumerate theso as he understands them, and concludes as follows:— "In a few weeks' time, I hope, by His help, to lie found once more on (lie Old Battlefield, fighting for the samo great e,ml. although perhaps compelled to ndoptsomo new ami different plans- far its attainment. . Perhaps t!'.<? wonderful wisdom of God may foresee, even by the great loss I have suffered.. the bringing about of the great end of my labours h\ a more effective manner thin fiver. _ Anyway, my comrade?, in ttin light or in tho dark, you may count unrin your General to trust in G«l and go forward!"

JEANNE D'ARC DAY,

. The splendid and imposing sjwntancity of enthusiasm which has this yenr ch.i.--actorisod the fete? of the Blessed Jean of Are at Orleans has .shown itself in the Chamber of Deputies (says tho London "Tnblet"). There is now a fresh doniaiK' for Jeanno d'Arc Day being recogniwrt as a national festival. On the one hand M. Georges Berry has produced a Bill to givo this public and national recognition on tho Bth of SFay, the anniversary of tho deliverance of Orleans. And, on the other hand, a number of Deputies belonging k different parts of the Chamber have pre•wiitod a letter of petition demanding tho. appointment of a Committee to report on tho Bill for the same purpose which whs piu-sod by the tannic as far back as IKfll. Commenting on Ibis movomout (he "]!o----publirjuo I'raneaise" points to Iho spontaneity with which the people liavo deinonstvalod in honour of lhi> Jfaiii, and declares (hat the democracy is behind (bo demand now )iul forward. Frnnco hns foiind that the finio is now come to brenlc forth from her presenl t.r.uumels. The country.''is athir-it for an ideal, for MiIhusinsm and union, nnd shows it on cver.v pcc«siou that offers."