RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1990, 21 February 1914, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

CHURCH ONION IrT SCOTLAND, "A POINT OF IOXTP, AORDIXARY IXtEHEST. 1 ' ".Tlio_ Scottish Clmrcli Question" is tiro subject of all iliuminanng article in. ilia '"Hiblwt Journal" (imblished by Messrs. Williams. and j\ofga:e), by Slioriil 11. L. Orr, lv.C , who' writes: — ■■ "The I'aco of Scotland is changing, ( Unless tlio omens greatly err, will put iis Anger Oft tiro piesc-tit-day coil reran oc s of t lio two great Presbyterian Churches as the most important events mow happening in Scotland in guiding and shaping tiro deepest l of those cbaugM. The conferences have, in fact, firoaglit mrftters to a point of extraordinary interest. If jt s>e trao, sis tho ecclesiastical historian tells us, that at the Uelortnation the questions of the naturo of the Christian Church' as a spiritual Society alitl of the re'latkm which should subsist bp&weom Church'and State u'cro jnoro careftttly investigated and nta-re successfully i s&Wcil id Ss oiland than elsewhere, it ! cannot bo without interest to know '< that wo are apparently to witness in ■ i>nr day a farther development there in ' the relations of. -Church awl State--one which claims to mnko _no break with . iho past, bnt ;o to remlju.4 those relations its to approach more nearly tlio ideal which lias item- besiu absent from ; tins mMs of Scottish ehurokmai, anil !at the. samo time do something liko justieo to the broadly democratic views i>f t.iio liwder.il world. . . . "iSotb churches are a.waro that Km-' tua.l concessions must be made if «wn* moil ground is ta lu> readied,'and caoh finds it easier to meet the other beca-uso mutual trust has grown since the conferences began, and each side believes that, the supremo motive of the titte is not party or sectarian advantage, but tho advancement of thu religious iti- ; tcrosts of their common country, T|u> result is.that the work has been carried ! on by the two committees in what may be cltecribed as a now atmosphere, and with a growing confidence that real progress is being made' towards it, reconstruction of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. . . , "The term State Ghwreh will bo meaningless as applied to a Church tvitli a constitution which proclaims in explicit terms that tho Church's liberty, rights, and powers are 'not given by the State,' and arc 'not to be controlled or restrainevl by any relation to tho -Stato,' and in . regard to which it is expressly agreed ! that by statutory recognition of thi« ■ constitution '"'tho Church of Scotland. ! would in no sense be sn institution con-'

stitated or con trolled by tho State, or| ! deriving powers fro© tko State, or' in j any way lhnitert m its action by a special State reiation.' . . » ' "If the Church in the .pas-fc su-biijitfed to limitatitais rmd rostrietiohs 011 lief: freedom in _ rfctnnt' for csdl-Usive- -privi- j logiss, sho imtst now ho ready to part | with ii-nr privileges when she ckiill-S her: freedom. She -c-annot have both free-, dom and privilego. That the present position of the Church af ScotfeMd imparts esehisivc privilege is too plain for doubt-. Tho sixteenth cetitw-rj. statutes ■ on which it ri'-sts aro stooped jii tfe spirit of exclusion and privilege. T-lioy cowUl. not .well bo otherwise. .. , . ' "The recogait-ion of tlio O-hitrsh as national would bo seen to rest, ii.tft lipsa any gromid of State-conferred privilego, but ujjon tlio fact that sho was tho most adequate rej3.rcseiita.tive of tjie. Christ* fanity cf Scotland, or rather (for this i.5 really what is meant), that- tiro waited Ohtirch' about ta l>6 foi-iixid' titmSA ha national in t'liat sen.se, and as- -fujfrffiftg that character. ' Tho Siafo would Own bo free, as sh<? is not free.now, to reMgnJsfi awl ava-3 lierseJf of tlio co-opera-tlftjii of other Churches on occasions of national religions services. On tho. other hiiwJ) the proposals ar-o opun to Hki criticism tinat they aro largely negative father than positive. lii is not rmiteiliplamil as part of tho seliojiw that tTj-ci-o shall be positive legMniioji, by way a[ recnctHition of other CliurelifS. It may bo said that thp matter csiiDo-t iu-i "-> rviod fiirtl-ioi- on the side of tlio "fturcii tha-ii the M-eißovasviinm iwoip.rtsca. SIIO claims reeogttitiow, irat ali.o oki'u-is lift monopoly of roneg«itie-ti; ste? (tenlarcs tkat tlic o-Uior ChrisUntt OlMirtvbrs in tlie land are. entitled to as well as hoTsejf: she can 5)0 no i.iiore..... . "Her Sta-tive-oiifefiwl ecdesiastieaj jurisdiction will _ She wilt retain oiil.y lior iiiti.fiVoiifc spirittral jtirjV diction e.f the sainfi Matiwo and (Wivesl iroii-i the smno -Di-rmo seiireo a.s that m uvwj - ot-lier braniel; of tlio ■'Chi'istiau Clmrehl Tlie qatst-imi of miitawM-rMt has not Idtlicrto bepii f'nlly discussed fey thij cooi.lnif.toos: both sides agroo it is Xm% . a domestic question., but oim appropriate to P«rlintiicnt.' The Ctarfcli rtf iScoitand stiptilatcs tlmt ttw< ohdnwnipnts "are not i,# be scenlarised," 'I'lfe United Free Church 'dors ii<H feel Failed Hliftii to accept n.nv {msittoii h\ ipj.ft.twn (ci tho sptttpment to bo nroposntl to or.caH'iatl wt by Parliajnent.' , , . . "It will lie {tcivnraHy agreect ihn.t. tlirs men wiiociin iJevisc in.p.lns by JnVmHy ncwotiatfon Iβ Tfijiiise in a rccoustnietefl rtij-rl uiiitetl Ciutrch tfee Meals of two grpftt Cluif-cTies hating -so nstjctl tji e.omMnn will d?sisTve ivoll of tlroir toTmtry, Diiteltics dmiMlpss fente-in* The new foalftres w-roisosed to bo m the oonstH-tition of the Cliurch of Seottmid are otslv now being fofmuiatccr, Wirj , ,; lwro licit, therefore, boon discussed by'. ; i!i:*t Church, nor have they been put Wore tlw sSst.pT Ciuirch. But n. revk'w of tho. task so far as it has beoii ■ awoiiUvlishfti e.neonrajros tins' liap.rt that J with patience am! goacJwt!! tlw djflifili^ , I t»s vvht-ch rem-nin may bft sufniojilitod | ami thr goal renetel." - Tho January, liwiiiber of Ali« ''-Hibberfc , I Jyurnal" is w-olj up io. tho liigiv -slaiisl- , i an! of this osedle-ut pflMicgt-ioji, Br-,.,

F. C^S-.Scihilieiv, .of ■Qxfoi-di .contHhutoa a 'litrift-hig '.art-few <» "Ejigcn.i.es. arid Politics/' iy which lyft lays stress t>» iha £-ii:i.iii«io»tal fart that- H-fto ;: litolcgfeivl Wilt of ifcunjijil Jffo fs nattier: tilio 'iiiflividiiaj uor ¥ho State, lint ihc f ivrnjlyv , . Two artides deal svitli .aspects of J3ei:gSoliVphilflsophy. Sir. H, Q. -Corral iii'o ■writes on its rolatioji to M tlie iticia of 00.(5.," vtad the- Hcv. T, Ithoiidtja WilKttifts ■di.s.cuss.C§ its. liCiiring oil tlio synttteatrst MoveiSicnt i-ii JVjtKCi Siiss. Petro writes en.' the" Adv.jn-tsgc-s; .ajid > iMsadyasvtage's" , ,o.f. AWthdrtty 'in fell* gion," ajM several otlicr ■Arti'dlcs, towith iijic. ;fcvfcisvi>! ajid theological, ■plii'losflpliiflul, and -socjjtl sivrvevys.,. 'com* Lino to make-α-decidfcdly- goscl iiuiii'bp'r.

GOHPRE-aftTiONAi UNIOW,, iFTJND Of TO BE BAISiEt).. A mfttter ,-of considoFablfl interest ta tiro njembers «f t-h© Congro.gajtio.ii.ai : Dltwch was dealt fri.tH *t tli» Sitting of : &o Gomidl of tho Union, o.fl*Je.w Zealand lidd at iVu!?.Wand roceii.tilj , . ; Tlio proposal was rcftuiftned that, a fund, for! £lO s : O00 ho raised {or R forward .mov«« naent, aiitl it was tWjW if tJjoi Itev, Hfcijry Steele Cfaik oQti.ld geli loii.yo fj'oni Jfount iEdeii Ciiujch., he- sliouid iso appvMUted orgawking agent t<) yisiii tiro various pharckes & tii.tt DominioHj and Iwiug iho sdremo jjrowJteatJj' Wttro thg. ' cofl.gregatkiis. Tlits cßJumittoo myportod in fijvoiir of startiiig to raise a eapital iuvid ■ for a forward nioveinflirfcj 2580.00 to be ; donated, iii. tho Übininioji, «nd tho .Coli oninl Missionary Society : to I|e asked' : for tlio xAhet £2000, on cumditipji thai if (fronted wo furtlrer cojitvibiitions s : heirld ]>& asked from tiist. b«c)y lor ifeme Jfissiou an;j cxteitsien Mai;if. 1-6 ' was oit t-lio motion of the- ijev.. It g-tcato Craft,.that when tii.o-iirsli ■ £1000 _ was raispoli it -bo iitiniediiiitety fiapiUlised for tho prepose of tho t*j-cii» bursaries, ofie .of £30 and t : hp iiClftr.<rf £■■20 i«r winiujn, tenable at-Any Ihcfo* . logical college Approved hy tko jHiibti. Tlij«s was agreed toTip Bpv; W-. Sauuders wdwciirfcd re.-, taiuiiig tire- students 'in Nfc\y JJeoiisniJ, so its t<) 1)e a.b!o ■ t.<> «ail ifjiofl ifeir .ser- . vices during tho long vafiiHwft. ' ■ ' . 'Tlio. lie*. % Sv : Craft said passWf; tl» resotetioivs was one : tliMig ; , but they had to .co.Ms.ider how tlio m.oii,ey Was to bo raisoii i'ha claims of the fijjiji .nwisfr : 1)0 brought beforpi every <sl.)ii.reh in the Won. Ho nilvoeated sptfoliii.g'.a. iriai.t, lwmd tho chareiies to show tito urtoift : iiefld far ra'isinS tho fund, 'fwo or t&roo visitations ivoflftl b& i'etiiiifred to eisch eh.vri-ch.,'...,' Tho R*v. ■ W. .Saiindei* hmvec} • ilijiA tho question -<if appoiistiiig a pftvinianvnt secretary td the. liiiion in -cpnuectjovi, with tlio lorvvai'd Ijoi.i.c*t.coitI sidored a* tlio :preSeni; tinio,. Tins was I Baecaidcd by tlw ttov. J. Ikpd ftlassoin ''.■'; 3tr.:g, Smc:eton arped tjisit- .a' pk* '■:. ifttt.iient'secretary. to the; cotiHc.it'%air;.iiisr ..perativfi,. .a.psrt from :of..t,hf> Mny'ard. hioveinon't He''jfflJftlM oVit thrt Mi oi'gdrriisjiijj SecroterK by ViSjtiiig ' country .would .gfoatly bciltefit th.o HOrii-o Missioit .work'.. It would also bo a sariftg to have a jrwfti as .pelw-nen't Be«wfcar.y., .xibto ■»•** aMs .to.te.nrpar.arfly.'.fill , Tacancies that o"d.qji.r-. "re'ei iff pastorates... ■Coifg,re|aiioi.va ; li.sts *ajited teiJrft cj^wjj.es '% 'tlio .Domiftioii. They inust, asitiifiion face tlio qnegtmjv' of appointing a';i3Brii)?vnen.t secretary. Tito Bov* W , .; j;- AsJiifprtl, iii ; pa.wqr. M speech, app&j\ted for. $h% "npjwiut-munt-'rtt oiieo of an seiivtary who would SpCak iii ho . likeasifrpd, terms to miisisters snjfl layiiKin. tt GoMgregatioHaliSts i> were Hot prepared ty face fl viM Westwi to tho deuo.mka.tid.ri, then t|i.cy. Ijittl better givb , *m 4tpgethfirr ■Tl«> liw.' A. H, .Wajhtca.saicl a Rrs;t■<feS6 niiiastcr.siiOßM >o'-toJJßvcft of.Jsis ■«}|iftrgft for tivreb ftoiitjis- to *i6tfW--the . eiiiHthtts M «ojinecti6u witilj tlio forward ,iM>Ye«eift> sW\\s Strengthen th« ckirßliesin tiia Kig cefitreSi, tou get tko ' &ia,fiiflO iii hajitl brifoK> *hey new ciHirch(!s %j iilvp $u> dfetrjote s fte Key;. It, .Stale 'ptiA .saiiJtho ■Wai onostiflH was how. best to i-nis© tlio '■SSltalfl.' it'coiild 'net 'be tpuched -for . jKjtt* .etawheis. MiitiJ iU whole iwOUnt ! Ijad hem raised, tlio «oun«l had lixJ-i ; the futids at present to keep a {iwntaiicint secre.tar,y= Swh an official witis. expeiiscS would cost' at toast £■$00 '*' J'flnr. Vflw* -in-ns l consider first wa's tins' appointmeu't of someone to- rafcp this -£-ld,.ooff. ' , ''Tim llfi'v. J. 11. Glasson said they ' wore not ■opposiug the ap:p.raitme.i|t of aft organising ageavt, Iml they had «> consider that Of iippointing Bflinoono to rais& itlifc itoimy, Tfie lj,ev> W. Siiwdors's motion, nob it, appoint n ■pei-mo.iieiit soeretsry jit , connection, fri'tli th.o iorward moyomeHl was agreed t«. . iTte Rev. W. A, E«ay. said it W talcon- twfl itivlf days .to *e».eh ftaii iraui-t. It Was Wmo smiictiiinß : defiiwte w'a.s rlecWcd it frjts tJnrt) ixhey showed the,)'r lioaste4 "WepE.hdefl.ee;" and cpa'sod io (lettoiid for BXtcftsito -tfettk iipoit >U6 )m?mriss ef factory; , R im in England, .fro best ffay- wouW fee % CScli of <thn lour ocittres thtt «fey «o.ra to raif o £200&, and "ho felt ■'stte tha,* would bo ' i%o chaimi:an eaid tfo& liwßer was ftn Imporfajn* oite., Jjsrti: should not' be irarriea. the idea ivas to cease asking the ;0 U S for any grants beyond &MHM asked f(i;r. *ovM make fliem "flidcpmideflib 4 tho fefetaey gids- Wjs- : «ies,"' whieli rp-niark ho regretted hart ■ been inteoflucod. . ' 'It w ; fnvally decided- tlwvt : {f the Key, I Henry Steele Oaft coiild -gjjt ;Jc*vo 6 f absence from Mo«nt Men Oluirch iof tlio Itttrofl reqttirtd, lie should bo (w ■caintoa oj'ganteijHg agent ftr t us forvcav-l jnovwnent to visit tho diiiyclVes ol the ibon.iinicnn "THE IDEA OF COG." "M. porgsou, as I listeii to wfj-te \V. Scott Palmer., ..iii. tlio "jitcjiiii'er," "does not sa : yc.'.l.lero is it phfloisojihy, afid yoJi Will iiivtl iii.-ft A potted tfcoivdfSe. PigeSfc mvJ: systcili, ■iiild a'l thi-ngs with ft, .it ynwi- feisnf.o, , ',-; "He Sfiys seijicthing Ife.tjlig: 'Jliiro is evirih -{or your cvooiijed vkioii ami. yoiir-b.liiKliu-ss.; , usfs ft lite a --man and' si snlforcr, tiia't you may lfiir.w to: scrt ali ttt ; ik«s iiftw in n Mc : \v"i:iiutieeivf(i. -»f o,ve." ' tti; tias tte invsUeV «ay ra ; the,r' tlian tlio pittlos ; &phof% ? : s j)].(iljisb,phers aro and for live nyvist .part Iv.we App.ii.. Ha is a iliystio 'who Ti'iis* tencil .tliiVii eye upon pwljlcnis wljfeh hav« fewest philosophers -ftttd .SoKi'usCd ■.Jjlriloswplfj' isiireo tlie philosopliit: ■worhj bpgiip 'to b.ri: Ho leeks at its .cioi.ine.os fuviiwdiivjesi'do la cons'cloiic!.;, hnd softs jiioji pr.o\s'i.Uji%li> ■ i l.)o ft'enj ho 'looks at maiiereKliliieiiioire, !. dfld tl:isC(S\\ere itliti :re;il : i|y of t!io Spirit; land as ho looks wpo'ii. flin .:p ; ictiire..'o.f I th.o ftorH rf life lie "fnicis efc Ifiii-o. But tho pbifesOipliCT tells -lntu. he Tins nt> ripht to these disspteries. 116 miglvt as we'll rel)jil;o th.o saint for siev iii.f; what no wan lias, (μ-fif p.liilosbp.hic r.i.(i.l.it to .see i, fti- -diff poet- ailii' tho pai : ii.tft.r, for tlicir art'ist ! .s g.fitce '<$. I vision .iinfl reviaalfcg., : 0f Vliai rfiliiTo-s-Q- ---[ (Shy. osce.pt) tlti.s-of Wotjss.oni catiUl often 'ft'ill-iai.tt J.aftiPS hate siu'd- that : it ffiy.iiio tvs .'the hroo.iU of tlio jfnftftvmg;' and Mid KMisp; of the lij.vrts , ?. ,'\V-liat Ostein in- llro. world has sneli vivifying :p'ffwer :a.s tliiis which, fl-liijVß n-ii tfsiiig's., is no system?"Biit I am at w ivfflt.yoiir .revifSwctf ihi ]mUmg thSt.'fte Wfsa- nf a Uod J fep; : : given. by 'ftt, ./fej^sftn'.dpes Tint,/side-' qiKftcly iiieet .(fli.ff..-nfieilis.tfl pe;rgjtrf: ligie.n.' -How ■slyO'uld itywhoii ■■'.it-'Jis llio; restolt Of cMtofipisttnK/jlto ivbii'A aWd* ; man ii-s froi.ii. the outsitlo?- 'Fli.e oiitcimio of any 'dactßife depends Met feitly ,pi.i tlii? : doo|trmov-btttt m't that to■ wliifih'it :i's :a:p.|,jliprl.- -S;o'-'\vb liwty -fiiijtirsv-o that plies : iii jto'tho ofejcal lif& of mair -(ag'lf^ : is saM to -to; doing' f9: Klihlt "Rnii. * further advawco in >'ihe ' :^dea'..;o|; Gbd thai, -he- discerns iajij §|ve.s its -iis. Tho ; jwiroceiiitj %<) iji liiin;. -n-s,,'iit"..cyo.r.y. \6i\a,. r of iis, hcliqlds'A?i«er thin,p;s tif ■ fib^as.Tli';■ iieVot-Ktcs^teac^pe^tlifegsio^miiu^