THE BROTHERHOOD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 7

THE BROTHERHOOD.

ADDRESS BY MR. G. M. THOMSON, M.P. The speaker at the usual weekly meeting of the Wellington Central Mission Men's Brotherhood, held in the New Theatre yesterday afternoon, was Mr. 6. M. Thomson, M.P. Beginning his address, be said that it was not quite clear to him whether tho meeting was strictly religious or secular, but he understood that t'hey were all unitod in a desire to advance tho brotherhood of man, and their belief in tho fatherhood of God. In tho main, his address wouJd be a comparison between present-day religious matters and those of fifty years ago: As an officerbearer in the Presbyterian Chitrc'h, he claimed that it was a democratic institution. In it the wealthy merchant and the fish hawker were side by side on the samo footing, and their opinions were of equal value. As a visitor for his Church, he gave several examples of the better homes andi conditions of lifo of its people as compared with half a century ago. If the cost of living had gone up, the standard of comfort had also improved. The visitor to-day went as a friend, and if church matters were discussed, tho family was not catechised as in the old days. Fifty years ago, if a clergyman had believed in Spiritualism or Darwinism, he wouldhave been ejected from his office. Physical conditons had been ameliorated and restrictions upon spiritual life had relaxed. Religious sectarianism had broken down. The Salvation Army had gone outside the Church and fought its way to victory. The Y.M.C.A. took no notice of sect. The only question with such bodies was: Are you a Christian? The Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand, had tightened its bonds. It must do so, or its power would be gone, and it could not maintain the infallibility of tho Pope. The conditions of tlie Church, the nome,' and the people had improved, but it was very necessary, in an ago of freedom, to avoid going too far in a feverish search for pleasure. The course of true wisdom was to rely upon the teaching of Christ. Lovo of God and of one's neighbour, and a spirit to onduro hardship and undergo _ selfsacrifice were tho essentials in Christian living. Miss Gladys Pees contributed a solo. Votes of thanks were passed to the speaker and to the singer. At the Brotherhood meeting next Sunday an address will be delivered by Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P.