OLD FIGHT RENEWED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 353, 14 May 1928, Page 9

OLD FIGHT RENEWED

IMMORTALITY OF SOUL BISHOPS JOIN SKIRMISH SIR A. KEITH CRITICISED (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON, Saturday. The prominence in the medical world of Sir Arthur Keith has caused his statement to the effect that death is thq end of everything for human beings to be discussed throughout England. It is admitted that all the nymbers of the medical profession are not committed to Sir Arthur’s view, nevertheless the latter finds support among doctors whose names are world-famous. The newspapers, without exception, condemn the statement, and characterise it as a strange conceit, especially in one who is foremost in the world of medicine, to deny that which he does not comprehend. Eminent leaders of the Church of England have hastened to defend their faith against medical science. The Bishop of London, Dr A. F. Winnington Ingram, says: “With all due respect to the distinguished doctor, Sir Arthur Keith, such mere materialism is out of date, and at least 50 years too late.” The Bishop of Manchester, Dr. William Temple, dismisses the statement briefly. He says materialism 5s not new, and he does not see why a new statement on the matter should disturb anybody. QUESTION OF THE SOUL The Bishop of Ely, Dr. L. J. WhiteThomson, suggests that Sir Arthur should hesitate to dispute the Christian doctrine as to the origin of life and of the soul. The Bishop of Woolwich, Dr. W. W. Hough, says: “From time to time men have hazarded such statements, but it has been just conjecture, and need not shake the faith of Christians in everlasting life.” The Rev. H. Maurice Relton, professor of dogmatic theology, College, London, says: “Sir Arthur appears to be suffering from the modern disease of mental departmentalism. This is due to over-specialisation. The world listens with respect to such a great anthropologist on the subject of skulls and jawbones, whether of asses or of men, but when the question is that of the soul we beg leave to consult other authorities.”