RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1794, 5 July 1913, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

FIVE RULES FOR PREACHERS, CONGREGAHtONALISTS AND HIGHER CRITICISM. , Many speeches in support of th» Higher Criticism were inado at a conference upon 1 i -i ßub £? ot . J ; e ' ation to preaching and the Christian life, which, took place recently as a part of tlio proceedings of tho English Congregational Union's annual assembly. Not one voice was raised in support of the older view of tho Bible Mr. Harold B. Shepheard, a layman, tho debate by reading a paper in which ho declared that tho Higher Criticism had enabled tho modern Chrisu,al' shake off a poor and narrow idea oi God—tho idea that God was a Jew. It had won for him also a new Biblo: tho epistles, for example, used to be mines from which dogmas were quarried; now they had become living letters by real people. ( "By thoir fruits ye shall know thorn," quoted Mr. Shepheard. Was there over, ho asked, a time when the Spirit so moved men to clothe the naked and visit the prisoners? Was there ever a time when men had so earnestly lived by the power of the risen Christ? . For preachers ho suggested the following rules:— Teach tho truth and tho whole tlUth as you know it. Reserve 19 .fatal to a man s influence upon his congregation. Don't teach more than the truth. Uraettled matters are best left alono until they prove themselves. Don't'overlook tho general needs of the congregation. Thoy are hungering inkffe^ 11 ]^d^tf' m,a .Y starve on Teach mostly in classes, 6tudy circles, and schools, - where thero is an opportunity for discussion and mutual understanding. Chooso tho young rather than tho ' old for instruction. Their minds are more open to new truth. Dr. Garvio summarised the situation in one sentence: "We have substituted a library of religion for an authoritative testbook of ready-made theology." "As I grow older I grow more hopeful," ho exclaimed. ""We are at the beginning of a great revival of religious life, in which, tor an orthodoxy dependent upon the Scriptures we shall substitute an experience that oomcs to us through faith." Dr. W. H. Bennett urged that children should bo taught tho. Bible in the new, spirit both at homo and in th.6 Sunday School. Higher Criticism, lie-held, shouid not be made so prominentia feature in the preaching to an ordinary congregation that those who did not sympathise with it felt distressed and hurt; but he hoped that the pulpit might soon bo purged of that wholesale abuse of science and scientists, of criticism and critics, -which had done much harm in the past.

One of the best justifications of tho Higher Criticism, Dr. Bennett maintained, could be found in the lives and work of such men as Dr. Clifford and Dr. Horton. BISHOP CROSSLEY'S RESIGNATION. DIVISION OP AUCKLAND DIOCESE NEEDED. (To the Editor.) Sir,—The announcement in The Dominion of the resignation of Dr. Crossley, Bishop of Auckland, will be received with' general regret. It will also give churchmen, cause for serious reflection. At a recent meeting in London, Dr. Jacob, Bishop <of St. Albans, pathetically remarked that he came to the diocese a strong man—.he is now a physical wreck. It is well known that in the House of Commons there is a small body (only five or six members) who have blocked the way with regard, to tho. Bishoprics Bill for creating new, and dividing old, dioceses, and their fatuous policy is a serious menace to thei progress and welfare of thie Church to which they claim to belong... Fortunately tho Church of the Province of New 'Zealand is not bound by such iron fetters, but it seems a3 if churchmen in New Zealand will have to arouse themselves from their lethairgy if tho chiurch to which they belong is to , take her rightful position in the life of the country. Certainly the influence of the Church is not commensurate with her numerical superiority. And why is this ? The need of a division of the Auckland diocese is recognised. What practical steps aro being taken to bring about this desideratum ? Two Bishops of Auckland within the last few years have been compelled to .resign, and have left the diocese physical wrecks. Is this state of things to continue indefinitely? Are we to allow, men in tho very primo of life to sacrifice themselves bccauso we churchmen are so supine and easy-going that nothing short of the tragedy of life will move us?' Wellington and Auckland, the two most important cities in New Zealand, are without cathedrals. The Church is not the power she ought to be. There is urgent need of diocesan extension. And when a few more bishops have worn themselves out by attempting the impossible we churchmen will perhaps begin, to think it time to move in tho matter. But in the meanwhile the pathos of it! Has the Chiurch of the Province of New Zealand no 50ns who can help to remove our reproach?—l am. etc.. ANGLICAN,