RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1639, 4 January 1913, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

THE CHURCHES AND MEN. i ADULT SCHOOLS AND BROTHERHOODS. Tho relation of men's societies to the churches is not always a iiappy one (says tho 'Westminster Gazette"). At one time tho Church of England discovered that within her borders she had a number of organisations more or less loosely attached, With wisdom and loresignt 6lio set to work mainly under tho lend of tho present Archbishop ot York to co-ordiu-ute the whole of the struggling variety into one strong effectivo society, and related to tho parish. Tho'result was ovi- , deuced at Lieds a few days ago during tho annual meetings of tho Church of England's Men's Society, and, moreover, has been justified by the strength and driving force of the movement. Free Churchmen have not discovered ways and means to link tho churches in a definite way with tho Adult Schools and Brotherhood meetings, which have grown so rapidly during the past few years. Here and there in many parts of the country individual churches have fostered these- men's societies. But tho churches generally do not possess any central machinery for guiding and assisting such movements. Both the Adult Scuools—which sprang from the initiative of the Society of tho Brotherhood possess central organisations of their own independent of any church. Leading ministers, and laymen are amongst the oflicers, but they are there not as representatives, and only in an individual character. It is also urged that neither of these organisations possesses a sectarian character, and that a denominational relationship! would spoil their influence. Possibly, partly because of this aloofness tho churches have not in the past co-operated to their, fullest extent in tho adult' schools or the Brotherhoods, and there is danger that their teaching valuo may depreciate unless the churches realise their position-4n the matter'. '',■'•; A representative of the "Westminster Gazette," who has been making inquiries iu tho matter, learns that Dr. -Currio Martin,, who has been commissioned by a group of men interested '.in the Adult Schools, is now'engaged in special educational work on their behalf. This is at present designed as nn experiment for six months, but is an indication of tho 6pirik which has induced Mr. Rowntroe.and his friends to undertake this departure, : A well-known worker in theso moveinents informed the "Westminster Gazette" representative that : they suffered in many places from the suspicious and prejudices of tjhe minister and his-con-gregation. "But," ho said, "we are only .doing the work that tho churches have rie'glected. We gather together tlireo or four score of three or; four hundreds— or more—according to .circumstances,,,of these men, many, if not the (majority, of whom are not attracted to the i ordinary church services. Tlr?7 would 'not bo in church oven if they did'not-come to our meetings.' Tho ministers, however, blanlo us for starting another organisation which they say clashes with the wprk of the Church. Tiafc they wero needed is proved by their present strength.". The President of the Brotherhood Movement, before starting for his tour in Canada, pointed out to-tho representative of tho " Westminster Gazette that Brotherhoods being of quite-receut growth must not bo judged entirely by what .they had accomplished. Much serving had yet to be done, and all those who were working in tho movement recognised present limitations.' So far-the council had endcavoured' to get it on proper lines, and they required now to train workers and speakers.* Ho agreed that it was. difficult to keep up a supply of good speakers Sunday after Sunday,'but appealed to the'men in tho churches to throw in their lot with the Brotherhoods and help !to the best of their power. . Wherever, he added, you find the Churches talcing, a strong share iu' it, there you may ,bo -sure that they are reaping advantage from these gather-, ings of men. Thero must be patienoo'and hearty co-operation iri order to secure tho .best results. '■ '" ~ ■ ,