PROPOSED RELIGIOUS SCHEME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 460, 3 June 1909, Page 4

PROPOSED RELIGIOUS SCHEME.

The following is an extract from a circular forwarded tp the Anglican Church Clergy, by the Rev. G. Young-Woodward, vicar of All Saints’, Foxton : “The Vicarage,” Foxton, June. 3rd, 1909. lam sending to you a fanef outline of a scheme that might help us in dealing with what I consider the three greatest needs of the day:— (1) The religious education of the children ; (2) The necessity ot street missions. (3) Systematic religious work among bodies of labouring men. This scheme, which I propose to bring before the coming Synod, has been very carefdlly considered, and having placed it before men of all schools of thought, I am glad to say that it has been welcomed as a means to supply a lack. There is no need to draw an elaborate picture showing the religious wants of to-day. That picture is already too familiar. What seems needed is a united effort within the Church to reinspire those who are already Church members and to arouse a religious enthusiasm in those who are at present indifferent. The suggestion is, that this Diocese shall take steps to organise a Society, the characteristic feature of which shall be the promotion of voluntary service among its members. The best way to* explain the scheme is to suppose for a moment that such a Society exists, “The Society of St. Francis” consists of twelve Brothers (who are laymen) under a Brother Superior. These men have taken the vow of obedience and pledged themselves to voluntary service. The Brothers live in a large house, which they have fitted up for their needs, and live under a Religious Rule. Here they undergo a special training which fits them for their particular work. The Priest in whose Parish the Society has its headquarters acts as Honorary Chaplain. The work of the Brothers : (1) Those who are adapted to teaching are sent to a Parish where it is possible to conduct a Church School, the liability of the particular Parish being confined to providing the Brother or Brothers with board. Where Church Schools are not practicable, the Brothers conduct a series ot Children’s Missions, and by lantern illustrations and other means instruct the young in the life of our Lord. These men are specially trained because, “No man can take the story of Christ and tell it to the children without teaching them something of the two great Sacraments necessary to Salvation, and something of the Church which He founded on earth. It is that which will make loyal sons and daughters of the Spouse of Christ. ’ ’ (2) Those who are specially gifted in dealing with men are sent to work among bodies ot men, such as those employed in the railways, flaxmills, sawmills, sheep stations, factories, etc. (3) Those who are distinctly preachers are sent out to hold street missions in our towns and townships, and so reach a large body of people which at present the Church does not influence. The object of the Brotherhood is to reach that part of the community which the Church at present is not able to do. There are hundreds of men who seem, through force of circumstances, to be separated trom the Church ; and it is to these men that the Society will send its members. If trained men, sanctioned by the authority of the Church, and wearing a distinctive dress, were to go out solely for the purpose of carrying on evangelising work, the result would be that in the highways and hedges of life, the glad tidings of the Gospel would be heard with effect. If, in periodical visits to the different parishes, these Brothers gave religious instruction to the young, and interested them by lantern illustrations, etc., they would enable the Church to fulfil the command of the Master “Feed My Lambs.” Not only that, but they could stengthen the ranks of the Church with new recruits, who in' turn would convey the message of Love to another generation. And then there is that large band of street loiterers and idlers who very rarely hear the Gospel Message proclaimed by men under the authority ot the Church. What a field there is before us I What a number' of souls redeemed by the Risen Saviour, and yet they are uncared for, because the Church has no trained regiment to send out under the banner of the Cross ! What a power tor good if these forgotten and neglected souls preceived that the very men who were teaching them were men who gave their service to their fellows without remuneration ! The very life of voluntary service, inspired by love for the souls of men, would compel love from the hearts of their hearers. All that was best in humanity would go out to the Brothers, and many would join the Society and themselves become disciples in its service. , There are men who are longing to give themselves without reserve to the work of God. Should we not give them the opportunity ? A leader is wanted —a faithful and tried man from one of the great Brotherhoods in England who could adapt a Religious Rule to the need of New Zealand. The experiment is indeed worth the trial, if successful what a strength to the Church ! Could not the spirit of the early Franciscans be found in the world to-day ? Is there not the same attractiveness now in a free and willing service in the cause of religion ? We all feel that something is needed to revivify the world with love. In all religious bodies there is a great movement in support of Special Missions conducted by special men ; but the influence does not remain in many cases; it passes with the mission. What we want is EXAMPLE! Men who are living in the midst of the people the lire of love itself, which is the only power to-day that will appeal to the million. This power must come from the Church. Does not the suggestion almost compel us to provide for its advent ? The fittings and furniture of the Society would be given, and no doubt a small library would also be supplied. The matter of Cost and Constitution of the Society would be the work of a Special Committee. The object ot this pamphlet is to ask you to consider tha scheme which has been briefly set forth, so that at Synod we shall all be prepared to speak for or against a motion on the subject—in other words, to allow the matter to be dealt with at once, and not to be shelved till the Synod of 1910, as the need is urgent, -We are not trespassing on the virtue of tolerance. We have held out the hand of fellowship, and the result is that no united movement has followed. We should take to heart the words of Lord Morley : “Let us be quite sure thati we are not mistaking for tolerance what is nothing more creditable thau indifference.” G. Young-Woodwakd.