THE NEW THEOLOGIAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2022, 6 March 1907, Page 1

THE NEW THEOLOGIAN.

Tlio now theology with which tho ltov. It. J. Campbell has made such a sensation is not now at all. A writer in tho “World ’’ says of it: “If wrong, I will tonclor apology, But this is my own point of view I think it is baroly theology, And doubt if it’s perfectly now.” Ho might have gone further and .sr tho now theology was quite old. Tin sensation that it has created has really been caused by tho prominent position hold by Mr. Campbell. This, romarkablo man is young. Ho was only hirty-six when ho was appointed to tho pulpit of tho most imporant Nonconformist church in London, and ho is not yet forty. Ho is remark

able among Nonconformists, in that ho was educated at aristocratic Chris Church, Oxford, his intention being to enter tho Anglican ministry. Ho is a bravo man, with not much regard, for tho opinions or prejudices of others. Ho scandalised cortain Free Church Radicals by being presented to the King at a loveo by tho Bishop of London, supported Imperialism strongly, and refused to become pr. Boer. He angered Protestants by calling on the Pope, and Freetram by his acquaintance with Mr Chamberlain. When he said exactly what ho thought of tho working man’s failings in the “National Review” the class attacked demanded an apology. Mr Campbell’s answer was to accept a challenge to repeat his statements before a mooting of working men, with the result that ho completely carried the meeting with him. But, quite in tho Corellian vein, ho has attacked the classes higher in the social scale with eqiyil fearlessness. “Commercial life is affected bv tho sin of hazard,” he told his congregation of wealthy city men onco, and “tlioswho make money out of others, instead of being treated as bloodsuckers, receive titles and honors.” His preaching is described as wonderfully effective, his consummate elocution, sweet and almost womanly voice, ant’ unbroken flow of oratory quite carrying his listeners away. Judging 1 the scene of enthusiasm when he ex pounded his belief on January 1 in the Temple, his congregation are with him.