THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1902. RELIGIOUS REVIVALS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 271, 18 October 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1902. RELIGIOUS REVIVALS.

It is a favourite saying that religious subjects should not be discussed in a secular newspaper, and, while agreeing that there is some little justice in this contention, we cannot wholly agree with it. Given the privilege of writing under a nom db plume, many men forget that freedom of speech ia not a synonym for license and, particularly on religious questions, where feeling runs high, such correspondence generally degenerates into a bitter sectarian feud. However, a newspaper, apart from being a business undertaking, should exist for the purpose. of leading public opinion and forming a medium for the transmission of ideas of interest to its readers. Religion occupying a very large share of man's concern on this earth, it follows that it is the duty of a secular newspaper to refer on occasions to this important

topic. Comparatively few people read religious papers, and as these are strictly sectarian in tone it is not to be expected that they will take broad views on the burning questions of the day. We hare deemed it necessary to preface these remarks in order that our intentions may be clearly understood when we deal with religious topics; it is not with a view to injuring any sect, but rather to present the views of the great majority who may not be able to see eye to eye with the generally accepted standards, but who nevertheless are earnest seekers after truth. At the meeting of the Presbyterian Presbytery on Tuesday last the Kev. A. B. Todd referred to the great revival of religion that had taken place in the large centres of population as a very encouraging feature of the times, and one for which they should be thankful. He proposed—" That the Presbytery give thanks to God for the revival

of religion that has taken place in the large centres of population, 'and trusts that it may be deep and abiding, and may extend throughout the whole land." This was, naturally, carried unanimously. The " great religious revival" was that of Dr Torrey and Mr Alexander, who, not satisfied with the work lying at their hands in all parts of America, came to Australasia to foist an obsolete hell on a thinking people and to cause sane men and women to grovel on the floor and assert their "conversion." We have no hesitation in saying that ninetenths of such "conversions" are purely owing to the hysterical con dition of the worshippers, who are worked up to such a pitch of excitement by the* solemnity and

the singing and the fervid appeals of the preacher that for the nonce they are actually mesmerised, and when the call comes to declare themselves "saved" they have no course open but to obey. The whole secret lies in the magnetic influence which each of us can exercise over the other in a greater or lesser degree, and which is largely pos 7 sessed by these so-called revivalists. The conversions last while the stronger influence is present, but directly that is removed the .übject returns to a normal condition. Such being the case, it is scarcely to be wondered at that the «ffect of the mission under notice has almost passed away. In fact, the Presbytery itself had to deplore the fact that iu spite of the revival they

I could not get the ministers and Sunday school teachers to take sufficient interest in Sunday school work, where, if anywhere, religious instruction is of value. The real question at issue is, what are the churches doing 1 Are they moving abri-ast of the times in regard to kiiovlcdgtf, or are they suffering themselves to fall behind? The fact is that a great deal of precious time is spent in dogmatising, and rf iigion has-been made such a valley of dry hones that in disgust the congregations dwindle away to nothingness and the units spend the hours more pleasantly and often more profitably for body and mind.There is no attempt to soar above dreary platitudes, and exploded theories are droned over Sunday after S inday till church going has become little more than a tribute to respectability. What is wanted is for the clergymen to consider that their flocks have got a certain amount of brains, that therein lies the actual soul, and that if they starve the brain the soul suffers. ■s They want to get out among the 3 people and feel their needs, see their ;{ manner of living, and then take I such steps as would suggest them- " Belves to a sensible man. We must l have men abreast of the scientific ; truths of the day and ready to • impart these to their flocks, in order to show the mighty workings of nature, which is " God in action." Then we shall have a revival worthy of the name, and the brotherhood I of man will be many steps nearer accomplishment. To see churches existing in a state of hostility, while the work of the world stands still, is a pitiable spectacle. At present the Church has no hold on the men, and with the spread of education among women the (strongest support of the Church) they are beginning to ask questions to which the old theology cannot give a satisfactory answer. The time is ripe for imparting a new form of religion, embpdying the great truths of the Bible and its matchless moral code without the man-made dogmas and conjectures that at present encumber almost every form of worship. We want earnest men to shake off the tramels of convention and preach this religion of altruism, or each for the other. Many have already done go, but the field is wide and there is not the slightest fear of overcrowding.