Lecture.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 386, 20 July 1889, Page 2

Lecture.

On Wednesday evening last the Rev S, Lawry delivered a lecture in the Te Wetleyan Church, on " Why did England become Protestant?" The lecturer began by statins* that the history of the rise of Protestantism in England might be regarded as illustrating the great movement of religious reform throughout Europe, like causes being at work everywhere. Protestantism might be said to have three sides, the political, ecclesiastical, and the theologionl. The teim itself aro?3 in connection with the last named. More important than any change in statute, organisation, or foiraal creed was the growth of the spirit of Protestantism. This might be represented as a love for truth, righteousness, and liberty. The growth of such a spirit led England to protest against those things inconsistent therewith. There was a protest against a system, which because of spiritual decay, was unable to adapt itself to the changed conditions of society. There was a protest against the ecclesiastical abuses which had grown out of the union of Church and State, and especially against the universal supremacy of the Pope of Romo, and his political influence in Europe. The protest arose further beoause of the corruption of Christian doctrine, the pure and simple teachings of the Gospel having been sacrificed to innovations caused by pagan influences and sacerdotal ambition. There was also a very loud protest against the wide spread corruption of morals, which characterised every class of the clerical order, no less than the laity. The3e things indicated the need of a reform ; and although the work was difficult and tedious, the protest was at length so loud in the legislative hall nn'l in the homes of the peop'e that it could not fail to be effective. The lecture was a most interesting one throughout, and listenpd to with great attention. Those present were urged t<> cultivate the same spit it which gave birth to this great movement. At the close of the Ipcturn it was announced that probably in a fortnight from that date the subject would be pur sued by asking the question " How did England become Piotestant?"