CHURCHES AND WORKERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 July 1918, Page 3

CHURCHES AND WORKERS.

PRESENT-'DA¥ CONDITIONS, RADICAL CHANGE ADVOCATED. The annual conference of the Auckland District Congregational Churches was held on Wednesday, at which a 1 paper was read by the Hon. George Fowlds on "The Relationship of Congregationalism to the Sister iChurches." Mr Fowlds said that unless organised Christianity experienced a re-birth of zeal for the welfare of humanity the churches as a whole were likely to go out of business, as far as the mass of mankind was concerned. The churches had -for some years past devoted themselves too exclusively to other world aims, neglecting the clamant cry of humanity for the amelioration of present-day social conditions. The great mass of ministers and laymen appeared to be unconscious of the effect of the new factors which came into the life of the world. with the introduction of steam and machinery, in production and exchange. Labour leaders had rapidly been coming to the . conclusion- that the churches existed as bulwarks of capitalism and class exploitation. He did not admit that this conclusion was but lie did think there was a sufficient basis of truth in the charges levelled against the churches to justify the workers looking upon their activities with suspicion. The spirit of commercialism had undoubtedly taken a strong hold of church life and the fear of financial consequences had prevented them making an intelligent study of various proposals put forth with the object of securing a greater measure of social justice. Unless radical change took place when the war was over, he was afraid that the separation of the workers from the churches would proceed at an accelerated rate. This would be disastrous to the interests of the whole community.