THE CHURCH AND THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.

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

THE CHURCH AND THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.

The challenge of the sociaUproblem to the Free Churches is the subject of a circular issued-to the English Free Church Councils by Principal Garvie, chairman of the Social Questions Committee of tho' National Council. "111-informed or partisan vioiVß from the Christian pulpit, ho asserts, "can do only harm, and it is. therefore, imperative that study as well as sentiment should be brought to bear on those questions." The councils are urged to adopt the following suggestions: —l.An address, on tho social problem by •tho best-informed speaker in the district at tho public meetings of the council, i A conference of members of , tho council with local philanthropic and municipal workers. • 3. A : series of lectures by au expert on some social topic, i. The adoption of social study circles. 5. A conjoint missionary and social exhibition. 6. An inquiry by each council into tho social service being rendered by the several churches, with a view to improvement and development; also an annual conference, of social workers. MINISTERS' SALARIES. The question of ministers* salaries is exorcising some Presbyterian minds, and a'plea has been put forth—by tho Sydney "Messenger" this time—for 'more generous provision for tho clergy. Attention is directed to a -statement in an Imglish magazine that there are _ terian Churches in the United vacant, and the stipends attached to thorn run from £UD to .£250, with or without a manse. Tlie salary, it is stated, may bo considered fair in other countries, but tho cost of living in America is very high, and, all things considered, the educntcu minister is offered a starvation maintenance. Recently n Baptist minister in Australia said ho could give tho names of Hires Baptist ministers who, after thirty v=ars' service, wore receiving 30s. a week, and a Prcsbvterian minister in Sydney ivas credited with £80 a year. ' RELIGION IN PAPUA. Tho Bishop of- Now Guinea writing from Dogurd, gives tho following picture uf the roligious life in Papua:—"Port Moresby, tho capital of Papua, now contains between 500 and COO white residents, and tho number is steadily increasing. The only religious privileges are best—a service is conducted every Sunday ' by the L.M.S. minister, who belongs to tho Conijrega-ii-meX body; Mass ja said threo or four...

times a"year by a visiting Roman' Catholic priest, and is nttbhded by some six "or eight persons; and on the occasions whon I, or ono of tho"clergy of tho,Anglican, Church, pass through'Port'Moresby on our way down to Australia, Holy Communion has bsen celebrated. This is not of frcquont occurrence, and usually happens on a week-day." :