RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1623, 14 December 1912, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

"THE BEYOND THAT IS WITHIN." REMARKABLE BOOK BY M. BOUTROUX. The following review of a recent book by M. Bmilo Boutroux, ono oj tho most distinguished French thinkers, is taken from the "Christian World":— This small volume consists of three lectures, entitled respectively "The Beyond that ds "Within," "Morality and Religion," and "The, Relation of Philosophy to tho Sciences." M. Boutroux, a member of the French Institute and Professor of Modern Philosophy at the University of Paris, speaks with the authority of one of the most eminent oxnonents of French philosophical thought And it is profoundly significant to note in these lectures, as elsewhere in his writings, tho turn which the. modern French mind, as represented by so brilliant and cultured an exponent, is taking towards-the subjects of morality and religion. It is a. turn, like that of Eucken in Germany and Bergson in. his own Paris, ogainst materialism, against the mechanical view of life and the universe. These addresses are hardly for tho general public. They arc too abstract, ono may say too learned, for the man in the street. Wβ have here one- of tho testtrained minds speaking to the best-train-ed minds. But as the glaciers form on tho peaks and send their waters thence down to tho valleys, so discussions such as these will filter down • through popular intermediaries till they reach' and carry the minds of the multitude below. Taken .as a whole; they are the expression of the beliefs, confirmed by tho widest view of the totality of things, that life cannot Iμ explained by the investigations and results of natural science. The soul] in. its very make and essence contains itself a something beyond itself. As a thing, it implies a greater thing; its present involves a mightier future." In "Morality and Religion," M. Boutroux points out that the existing apparent antagonism between morality and religion—the attempts to create a morality independent of relijrion—exhibit no true view of their real relations.

"Are nations, individuals, or ideas condemned to internecine warfare because, in order to exist and to grow, they began, by opposing each other?" It' is not tho sciences, however extraordinary their progress, that of themselves ran engender moral ideas. More unmistakably than over to-day these, sciences only direct us to what is—not to what ought to bo. Duty is not a matter of knowledge, but of "belief. "It implies a risk, a stake, an affirmation that the most unqualified contradictions of experience can. never shake." Religion justifies itself by its action on life. From it proceed, "as from a life-giving and creative principle, these ideal conceptions , !of human destiny, those generous , enthusiasms, these impetuous yearnings after what is unknown, those strong and tireless energies in pursuit of a human perfection which uplifts humanity, and urge it to endless strife with things and with itself." And philosophy, which must ever attend on science and correct 'its conclusions, is secure in itself and as a help to reliidon.

"It responds, to the need of knowing whether existence in so far as it transcends the compass of science is still within the grasp of the intellect, of tho reason; of human thought. It represents man in the act of asking whether, in some way, he is not, himself, tho cenfre and the harmony of. things? t Can he not find in himself some perfection that may justifiably be deemed akin to the principle of the universe?" Mr. Niold has furnished an.. admirable translation of a work which cannot fail to l:o a help to moral and Teligious teachers of all grades and schools, of thought. CANON HENSLEY HENSON. BRILLIANT, UNCONVENTIONAL, OUTSPOKEN. The removal, of Canon Hensley Heuson from ■ Westminster Abbey to the Deanery of Durham will be very generally regretted among Londoners. Canon Henson is an amazingly brilliant,, unconventional, andoutspokeu prelate, a man of brains and courage. No one can listen to hini : without realising that here is a preacher who does not take- things for granted, but who thinks before he speakr. and then speaks what he thinks.- Some of my readers may recall the remarkable protest he made some weeks ago against tho English directors of tho Peruvian Amazon Company and the Putuinayo rubber atrocities. Tho English directors sought to take him to task, and their lawyers sent him a letter couched in most, severe terms Canon Heuson turned round, tackled the lawyers, and; 'metaphorically epeaking, shook thorn till their teeth rattled. The dean-elect believes in the ieunibn of Christendom'. Hβ wrote recently an appreciation of English Puritans which : was welcomed by Nonconformists as the finest and fairest appreciation of modern times of the Puritans. Canon Hen.son is essentially a fighter. Sometimes ho fights his fellow Churchmen over their attitude towards the Nonconformists; sometimes he fights the Nonconformists over, their attitude towards the Church. Arid whether he is dealing with the Bishop of Birmingham on the one side or Mr. Sylvester Home on tho other, he is always stimulating and entertaining. \ Canon Henson's departure is a. real loss to the Church in Londou.--''Daily Mail" Overseas Edition. ST. COLUMBANUS. CENTENARY CELEBRATION. This is an. Gaga of commemorative celebrations (says tho "Catholic Times"), and it may bo safely assumed that an event such as the thirteenth centenary of tho death of .St. Columbanus will awaken keen interest) especially in English-sneak-ing countries. The observance is to take place on November 24, 1915. The "Catholic Standard and Times," of Philadelphia, states that in order to bring out more fully what European Christianity owes to the labours of this great missionary, one of the most distinguished of the American, clergy has offered a prize of a thousand dollars for the bast work on the life of St. Columbanus. The idea is an excellent one. Fresh researches regarding the travels, prenching, and toils of tho founder of tho monasteries of Luxeil and Bobbio cannot fail to be productive of much information not only on.what the daring Irishman accomplished but on tho manners and customs of tho period in which he lived. Columbanus was severe upon himself and his followers, but fearlessly combative in the cause of God. Hβ did not hesitate to criticise, and in his criticism was no respecter of persons. If the book for which the prize is offered fully tells tho story of his trials it will have fii it descriptions of many, highly dramatic incidents. NEW COURT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 250 TH ANNIVERSARY. The 250 th anniversary of the foundation of New Court Congregational Church, Tollington Park, N., .of which tho Rev.? Arthur C. Hilt is now pastor, was celebrated on Sunday (October 27). Tho morning and evening services were conducted by the Rev. (j. Campbell Morgan, D.D., who was minister of tho church for four years, 1897-11)01. The occasion drew visitors from far and near to both services. In the evening,long queues stretched up and down tho road, and an immense crowd gathered round the entrance to the church. At G. 15, when the doors were opened to non-seatholdcrs, they found tho building already nearly full. Every availablo corner was utilised, the people were asked to sit as closely as possible, and many stood through the whole service in doorways nnd lobbies. Dr. Morgan read the passage, of Scripture from tlioi first and third chapters of Joshua, and his.text was taken from Joshua iii., 4:'"For yo have not passed this way heretofore." The subject of the morning eormon was, "The Value of Memory," and in the evening, "The Value of Anticipation." In referring to the future of New Court, Dr. Morgan said: "It has been-my privilege to share its life for four years, and 1 share it still. I take it for granted tonight that you are lifting your eyes to to-morrow." Tim scenes outside tho church reminded North Londoners of the visits of tho Bishop of London. Hundreds, of people waited for the departure of Dr. Campbell Morgan. "Tho sermon lasted minutes," said one man, referring .to tho eironon, ■ "and I could. have night, all," edldtho pmoker sa he step-